20
Power Shift
Tears welled in Lorin’s eyes as she watched the carnage on the streets of Shini on her remote monitor. Sirens wailed as fire trucks and emergency medical teams rushed from one disaster to the next. The smoke was so thick it was often hard to make out what the cameras were visualizing. With the dome collapsed, lethal toxins were streaming into the air, making it necessary for anyone venturing out of doors to wear breathers. Unfortunately, there were not enough breathers for everyone and those without them who were forced out on the streets by the fires or explosions immediately went into respiratory distress. First they’d turn red and then a ghostly blue until they’d collapse on the street. If they were not picked up quickly by the medical response teams and given oxygen they’d die. Lorin’s communicator beeped.
“Yes.”
“Lorin, it’s confirmed,” Senator Marcuzzi said. “Chancellor Mammett is dead. They searched the rubble of his home and found his body. It’s been positively identified. The Vice Chancellor has been sworn in, but he’s agreed to resign and force the General Assembly to elect a new Chancellor, if you’ll agree to serve.”
“Of course, I’ll serve. That’s what I’ve wanted from the beginning.”
“I thought so, but I had to confirm it.”
“Tell the Assembly that I’m already working on an appropriate response to this deplorable attack on our citizens. I’m going to make Videl Lai pay for this!”
“Good. They’ll be glad to hear that.”
Lorin took a deep breath. Finally, she’d be Chancellor. A great relief washed over her. Now she could come out of the shadows and take decisive action to rid Tarizon of Videl Lai. Nobody would question her authority now and she wouldn’t have to answer to anyone but God and Sandee. Power felt good, she thought, almost intoxicating. A pang of guilt spoiled the feeling. It would be so easy to let it overcome me, she thought, but then I’d be no better than Videl Lai. She’d have to be careful and seek out Threebeard’s and Leek’s counsel to be sure she hadn’t lost her perspective. She’d have the Supreme Mandate too; it would help guide her. She flipped on her communicator and punched in a code.
“Major Oakril here.”
“Major, how are we coming on our plans to siege Pritzka Prison?”
“They are almost complete and I’ve put the 1st Airborne on alert as you requested.”
“Good. The siege is a definite go, so make sure the plan will work.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
“Chancellor?” she laughed. It was the first time anyone had called her that. She liked the feeling. “You already know?”
“Yes, I’m your chief intelligence officer, remember?”
A smile came over her face. “Yes, of course. Carry on.”
Lorin looked at the digital time readout in front of her. It was time to wake Leek and brief him on the mission. She hesitated, wondering if she was acting out of rage or intelligent assessment. She’d be putting the Liberator in great peril if she went forward with the mission. What if he were killed? No, this is no time for cowardice or indecision. You know this is the right thing to do. She did believe it; deep down she knew this was the perfect move to shift the momentum of the war toward the Loyalists and, as Leek and Threebeard said, time was running out for Luci. She flipped on her communicator and hailed Leek.
“R1 here,” he said sleepily.
“This is the Chancellor,” she said playfully.
“Huh? Lorin?”
“I guess I should be sad at Chancellor Mammett’s death,” she said thoughtfully, “but I never felt anything for that man.”
“Chancellor Mammett is dead?”
“Yes, and the Vice Chancellor is resigning, so I can be elected Chancellor.”
“Finally! Congratulations. That’s wonderful. Now you don’t have to be watching your back all the time.”
“Exactly. So your Pritzka mission is a go and I’ve expanded it a bit to make sure it’s an appropriate response to Videl Lai’s cowardly attack on Shini.”
“Excellent! What’s the plan?” Leek asked eagerly.
Lorin explained the mission in detail and gave Leek a complete briefing on the situation in Shini. He was appalled at what he heard and had to fight an urge to go directly there to help out.
“There’s nothing you can do there now,” Lorin said. “The military has taken control of the city and General Zitor is personally supervising the cleanup. The dome is being repaired as we speak and should be resealed in a couple of days.”
“How many casualties?” Leek asked.
“Over twenty thousand dead and eighty-five thousand have been treated for a variety of respiratory complaints. Of course, those are just the short-term ramifications of the attack. Those who were exposed to the toxins will be looking at a lifetime of disease and disability as a result of Videl Lai’s act of desperation.”
“Would you check on Tehra and Sophilo for me? I’ve been worried about them.”
“I already have. They’re fine. Their building has a filtration system and they stayed indoors during the attack.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“I’ll visit them tomorrow when I get to Shini.”
“Okay, tell them I’m coming up there just as soon as this mission is over.”
“I will. Good luck tomorrow. I hope you find Luci and the baby okay.”
Leek sighed. “Me too.”
Lorin hung up and started making a list of what she needed to do before she left. She’d have to delegate much of the work she’d been doing in the past to subordinates. The duties of Chancellor would be time consuming and she’d have little time for the one-on-one relationships she’d developed with her cell leaders. Fortunately, many from her father’s old staff were available and would jump at the opportunity to join her new government. Since she knew most of them quite well and they were experienced, it would mean her new administration would be up and running almost immediately.
Her most difficult decision was who should take over direct contact with her web of cell leaders around Tarizon. Her replacement would have to be intelligent, personable and compassionate. It was a delicate job that required much patience and tact. After carefully thinking about it she knew who she wanted to do it. She put in a call to Captain Shilling.
“Congratulations, Lorin, or should I say, Chancellor.”
“Thank you. What a shock, huh?”
“Yes, Chancellor Mammett’s death was unfortunate for him, but a lucky break for Tarizon.”
Lorin stifled a laugh.“Well, I hope you’re right, but only time will tell.”
“What can I do for you, Chancellor?”
“You know the work I’ve been doing coordinating the resistance with all the cell leaders around Tarizon, right?”
“Yes. You’ve done an excellent job. I’ve watched you with great admiration.”
“Well, I won’t have time to do that anymore, so I’d like you to do it for me.”
There was a moment of silence. “Really, but I’m the captain of Earth Shuttle 26.”
“Yes, but Earth Shuttle 26 won’t be doing any traveling until this war is over. In the meantime I could use your talents.”
“I’m honored that you thought of me. I’d be happy to do it.”
“Good. We’ll contact all the cell leaders tonight and advise them you’ll be coordinating their efforts in the future. Your title will be Deputy of Political Affairs. You’ll also be in charge of the Liberation Network. Major Oakril will help you with that.”
“All right,” Captain Shilling said, tentatively.
“Don’t worry, it seems like a lot but you’ll do fine. If you need more staff just let me know and I’ll arrange it.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you in the operations room after dinner.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks again.”
Lorin hung up the phone feeling relieved. She trus
ted Captain Shilling and knew she’d do a good job. Another important appointment would be her chief of staff. This person would have to be a very astute politician who could help her deal with the General Assembly, the Council of Interpreters, and the military. She wanted Senator Marcuzzi for the job but she wasn’t sure he’d be willing to give up his Senate seat to do it. She thought about calling him, but decided it would be better to meet him in person since this was perhaps her most important appointment.
That night she couldn’t sleep. She was finally getting what she wanted—to take over where her father left off. It felt good but it was also quite scary. Now she’d have nobody to blame if things didn’t go the way she had planned. She thought of how close Leek had come to death on more than one occasion. What would she do if he were to die in the assault on Pritzka Prison? Every day the Loyalist supporters were relying more and more on his leadership and inspiration. Was it smart to rely so heavily on one person? She knew it wasn’t but didn’t know of an alternative. Leek the Liberator was too powerful a force to leave in the shadows.
The next morning Lorin was up before dawn packing and making final plans for her trip. During the night the Assembly had met in emergency session and made her election as Chancellor official. At dawn she stepped on to her new PT22 along with eleven staff members she was taking with her to Shini. The trip was dangerous as she had to fly over enemy territory to get to Shini. A dozen fighters escorted her just in case she ran into trouble. Fortunately, the TGA didn’t know she was traveling nor did they know about the Loyalist headquarters in the Doral Mountains.
Colonel Tomel, General Zitor, Senator Marcuzzi and a small crowd of well-wishers met her at the airport. They took her to the Linzcot Hotel where she was to live until repairs were complete on the Chancellor’s Mansion. After she’d gotten moved in, she went to her office. The Chancellor’s office was in the National Capitol Building. Rigimol’s governor had graciously allowed the Loyalists to share his statehouse until Videl Lai was defeated and the government could return to Shisk.
Her office was quite lavish and spacious compared to her command center in Earth Shuttle 26. After she’d gotten her staff situated, she asked Senator Marcuzzi if she could have a private word with him. He agreed and everyone left to give them privacy.
“Well, this is a beautiful office but not too practical. I kind of liked my command center with everything I needed at my fingertips.”
“Everything will still be available to you; you’ll just have to ask for it. You won’t have time to personally monitor everything that’s going on.”
“Yes, that will take some getting used to.”
“You’ll appreciate it in time.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“I’d like you to be my chief of staff.”
“Chief of staff? You want me to be chief of staff?”
“Yes, I’m no politician. I need someone in charge who is astute and knowledgeable. You were the first person I thought of.”
“I’m flattered, but I’d have to resign my Senate seat and disappoint a lot of supporters who worked hard to get me elected.”
“They won’t be disappointed if you become the second most influential politician in the government. They will be excited and happy for you.”
“Perhaps, but—”
”You’ll have a lot of responsibility. I promise the job will be both challenging and rewarding.”
Senator Marcuzzi smiled. “Well, if you put it like that, how could I refuse?”
“You can’t. So it’s settled. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve appointed Captain Shilling as my Deputy of Political Affairs. She’ll watch over our Loyalist cells around the globe and oversee the Liberation Network.”
“Captain Shilling? But everyone thinks she’s dead.”
“I know. Let’s keep it that way. Nobody needs to know about Earth Shuttle 26. One day we may want to use it in a covert operation.”
“What do I say if anyone asks me who’s coordinating the cell network?”
“Just say it’s Major Oakril. He’ll be working with Captain Shilling so he’ll know what’s going on and will play along.”
“Very well. What’s on your agenda for this afternoon? Anything in particular?”
“Yes, I’d like to meet with Threebeard and the Command Staff. We need to determine our next step in the war. Then I want to go visit Tehra and Sophilo. I promised Commander General Lanzia I’d make sure they were okay.”
“Very well, I’ll contact the Command Staff and get them here right away.”
Senator Marcuzzi left and Lorin pushed her intercom button. “Cora, would you contact Tehra Connolly and see if it’s convenient for me to visit her this afternoon.”
“Yes, Chancellor. I’ll get right on it.”
“Thanks.”
Cora had been her father’s executive secretary. She was very capable and efficient but a bit overbearing at times. It seemed strange to Lorin, giving her orders after taking them from her for so long. Cora didn’t mind it, though; she was just glad to be back in a position where she was respected and could contribute to the Loyalist cause. She’d been blackballed by Chancellor Mammett when he took power because of her loyalties to Lorin, so she’d been unable to get a decent job since his election.
Ten loons later Cora stepped in and announced the Command Staff had assembled in the conference room and were waiting for her. Lorin thanked her, gathered her notes, and strolled down the hall to the conference room. A young secretary she hadn’t met yet handed her a cup of sankee as she walked through the door. Everyone came to their feet and applauded.
Lorin was embarrassed at the applause as she didn’t think it appropriate under the circumstances. She took her seat at the end of the long crystal table.
“Thank you,” she said politely, “but in light of the fact that two chancellors have been assassinated in the last year and our capital city has just been ravaged by the enemy’s vipers, I think the mood here should be of somber reflection and dogged determination to turn the course of the war.”
The room quieted and the smiles vanished. Lorin continued.
“One man or woman can’t defeat Videl Lai. It’s going to take all of us and thousands more all working together for one purpose—the elimination of Videl Lai and the evil he represents. . . . Now, can someone give me a report on where we stand in this war as of this moment?”
General Zitor cleared his throat. “Yes, Chancellor. Let me do that for you.”
“Very well,” Lorin said.
“Let’s start with Lower Azollo. Commander Lanzia’s visit to Queenland has resulted in an avalanche of support for our cause. Our troop strength is expected to increase tenfold. Many of those soldiers are defectors such that we will soon have two fully operational divisions in southern Queenland. Of course, we also have several thousand seafolken, an unknown number of rhutz, and the nanomites.
“Again, with Commander Lanzia and Captain Lavendar’s help, the militia on Dalo have secured the island nation. This will be invaluable to us as a staging area for an invasion of Azollo when the time is right.
“I’m also happy to report that with the help of the seafolken the TGA has been driven out of the Beet Islands, Lortec, and an invasion of Ock Mezan is in the works.
“Finally, just in the last few days I’ve learned there is a fully operational Loyalist Division operating out of the Weeping Mountains in Soni. As in Queenland, new recruits and defectors are flooding in so fast we’re having trouble processing them.”
General Zitor looked at Lorin and nodded. “Thank you, General Zitor. Now would anybody like to give me the bad news?”
“Yes,” General Lugman replied. “Although nothing General Zitor said was untrue, he has sugarcoated things just a bit. In Lower Azollo the TGA is not asleep. They know we are gaining strength and intelligence reports show they’re positioning themselves for a majo
r assault on Queenland very soon. Since most of our troops lack both experience and proper arms and equipment, such an assault could prove disastrous. I don’t deny that we are working on those problems, but we may be running out of time.
“In regard to an attack on Ock Mezan, I think the seafolken and our Loyalist command have greatly underestimated the difficulty in taking that island nation. If you study Ock Mezan you will discover that the enemy has four large military bases there. Two naval bases, one on each side of the island, an army base, and a large air station. The navy maintains heavy patrols along the coastline and the air space over the island is monitored very closely.
“Turning to Turvin, I doubt the militia hiding there in the mountains will last too long. That will have to be Videl Lai’s first priority, to rid Turvin of rebel forces.
“Finally, I heard nothing about Tributon, the TGA armies poised to strike once again at Rigimol, nor the devastating viper attack on this very city,” General Lugman concluded.
“I was leaving Rigimol to our defense minister. I thought he’d want to fill you in on the situation there as well as the viper attack,” General Zitor said.
All eyes turned to Threebeard. “Yes, I thank the General for letting me give that report, for I think that we stand today at a great turning point in the Tarizon Civil War. Although the enemy has devastated our capital city, they have not destroyed it. In fact, at this very moment the dome is nearly repaired, order has been restored and we now are busy mourning our dead.
“But when that is done the people of Rigimol and Loyalists all over Tarizon will be thinking of this evil deed perpetrated by Chancellor Videl Lai. They will be wondering what kind of man could launch an attack with no military significance simply to kill innocent civilians. As they think about this callous and shameful act they will get angry and their anger will turn to resolve, resolve to rid Tarizon of the despot, Videl Lai.
“I agree with General Lugman that Videl’s number one priority will be to destroy the militia in Turvin. He will also be worrying about all the things General Zitor just explained to us. That is why tomorrow morning, with the Chancellor’s permission, we will launch an all-out offensive against the TGA forces in Tributon and Rigimol. We have found out that General Bratfort has been called back to Shisk for consultation. This will mean someone less capable will be in command when we launch our offensive.”
“Even so, do you really think we can beat the TGA with a force just half its size?” Lorin asked.
“Yes, Madam Chancellor,” Threebeard replied. “I do believe that is possible, even likely, for three reasons. Number one, the morale of our troops is high and the enemy’s is low. Secondly, our air force is much larger and better trained than it ever has been. Finally, thanks to Commander Lanzia’s foresight and leadership in the development of new systems to defend against the viper and the hovertank, neither will be effective against our troops during this new offensive. Furthermore, we have developed our own weapon of horror, a super viper so lethal that it will decimate the TGA forces before we ever advance on them.”
“Don’t you think they will have developed defenses against a super viper attack, just as we have?” General Lugman asked.
“You would think so, but our intelligence sources have seen no signs of any defensive measures being taken to prepare their troops for a viper attack. We believe Videl thinks his attack on Shini has crippled us and that the TGA is close to victory. In fact, we have been intentionally sending out reports of our dire situation in hopes that the TGA will become over-confident.”
“Thank you, Mr. Defense Minister. Your report gives me great encouragement. I wholeheartedly approve of your plan and will make sure you have the complete support of the government in implementing it.”
“I appreciate that, Madam Chancellor. It would be helpful if you would ask your cell leaders all over the globe to organize as much civil unrest these next few days as possible. We want to shake the very foundation of the TGA until it cracks wide open!”
“Absolutely. I’ll get that communique out immediately,” Lorin said.
Threebeard hadn’t mentioned the mission at Pritzka Prison, as surprise was an absolute necessity if the rescue was to be a success. Lorin had agreed that it should not be brought up and the fewer who knew about it the better. The meeting continued for another kyloon and when it was over and everyone had left, Lorin had her driver take her to Tehra’s compartment.
The road along the way was cluttered with the debris left from the viper attacks. Lorin tried to imagine the horror everyone must have felt when the robot snakes fell from the sky and began attacking them. When they got to the building her security team checked the exits, searched the common areas, and then escorted the Chancellor to Tehra’s compartment. Tehra bowed to the Chancellor as she stepped through the door.
“None of that,” Lorin said. “I’m here as a friend. At least I hope we can be friends.”
“Of course. I’d like that,” Tehra said. “Come sit down. Would you like some sankee or luri?”
“Yes, a cup of sankee, please,” she replied.
Tehra went into the kitchen and returned a moment later with two cups of sankee.
“Leek asked me to come check on you and the baby. He was worried about you when he heard about the raid on Shini.”
“Oh. We’re okay, I guess. At least we survived.”
“It was bad, huh? Where were you when it happened?”
“We were in a taxi on the way home from the doctor.”
“You were out? Oh, my God!”
“Yes, it was so strange. It had been a bright day but all of a sudden the sky darkened like an eclipse or a heavy thunderstorm. I was busy with the baby so I didn’t think much about it until the vipers started falling and targeting their victims.”
“Oh, no. You saw them attacking people?”
“Attacking people, PTVs, tram cabs, taxis—one of them came at us and smashed through the windshield of our taxi. It was just inches from the driver’s face. Lucky for him the taxi had shatterproof glass and the viper couldn’t make it all the way through.”
“What did he do?”
“He pulled out a gun he kept for protection and unloaded it on the viper’s face. Then he pulled the taxi into a parking garage until the attack was over.”
Lorin sighed. “You must have been terrified.”
“I was afraid more for Sophilo than for myself. I would have died had one of those monsters attacked him.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry you had to go though such an ordeal.”
“That wasn’t the worst of it. When we got back to our building the taxi driver parked out front and when he stepped out to open my door a sleeping viper suddenly came alive and attacked him. Of course there’s nothing you can do once the viper sinks its fangs into you. He struggled and fought for a few moments until the poison took hold of him.”
“How did you get into your compartment?”
“Two doormen came out and helped us out of the taxi. They carried garbage can lids as shields against the viper attacks.”
Lorin shook her head. “Well, I’m going to make sure that never happens again. I promise you.”
“Good. I’ll sleep better knowing that.”
“So, where’s the baby?”
“Sleeping, but he should be waking up soon, so you can play with him.”
Lorin smiled. “That would be great. I don’t know how long it’s been since I held a baby.”
Tehra took a sip of her sankee and then offered Lorin a pastry. “Is Leek on a mission?”
“Yes, but it’s a short one and he should be home soon. He’ll come to see you right away, I’m sure.”
“Good. I want him to spend time with Sophilo. He needs a man in his life.”
“Don’t we all,” Lorin mused.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot about Jake. I know you must have been devastated.”
There was the cry of a baby from the bedroom.
“Ah, there he is,” Tehra s
aid. “Come on. Let’s go get him.”
Tehra got up and headed for the bedroom with Lorin on her heels. The nursery was beautifully decorated with a fancy white bassinet against one wall. Tehra picked up the baby and held it close to her.
“Hey, little one. What’s the matter,” she said softly.
Sophilo quieted down in his mother’s arms. She patted him gently and then asked, “Do you want to hold him?”
Lorin’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes. I’d love to.”
Tehra handed the baby to her and she took him gingerly. Sophilo started to cry but quit when Lorin began rocking him.
“He does look a little like Leek, don’t you think?” Lorin said.
“Oh, yes. Very much so. I hope they have a close relationship.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Leek is always talking about you and the baby. You’re his family now.”
“I know. It did work out pretty well, didn’t it?” Tehra asked.
“It almost sounds like you planned it,” Lorin said wryly.
“Not exactly.”
Lorin did a double take. “What?”
“I didn’t know anything about Peter Turner or how he fit into the Prophecy, but I was a guide looking to get pregnant, so when I was assigned to Peter’s father it was a pretty good bet I’d be returning to Tarizon pregnant with his child.”
“So, you think someone planned for Leek to have a brother born on Tarizon.”
“Exactly.”
“Who do you think is behind it?”
“I thought maybe you would know? Your father comes to mind.”
“No. Father didn’t learn of Peter’s exile until he was aboard the shuttle.”
“Well, I may be wrong. It could just be a coincidence,” Tehra conceded.
“No, I think you’re right,” Lorin said. “Someone has carefully planned this whole Prophecy thing and I’m pretty sure I know who it is.”
“Who?”
“I’d better not say just yet until I’ve confirmed it and figured out what it means.”
Tehra shrugged and took the baby. “I guess I better feed him.”
On the way back to her new residence Lorin pondered her visit. She wondered if Tehra had designs on Leek or would she be content to be a stepmother. Although she hadn’t thought of Leek as a mate since she had always had Jake, now things were different. Still, Leek was in love with Luci, so it didn’t really matter how Tehra or she might feel about him. He was off-limits. Now she understood why love had not been encouraged by Central Authority and Tarizon’s citizens were mated by computer. Love was very complex and confusing and could only lead to discord and frustration.
21
Leek’s Most Dangerous Mission
After the Chancellor had hung up, Leek’s mind raced over the flood of information that had suddenly been thrust upon him. He was possibly facing the most critical and dangerous moment of his life. He took a deep breath and thoughts of his parents and siblings back on Earth flipped through his mind. Would he ever see them again or would he die this day millions of miles from home? Was it even possible to rescue Luci? Was she already dead or so emotionally scarred that she’d be a stranger to him?
Leek sat up and looked at his radar screen. He’d just crossed the Soni border and his autopilot was taking him in for a landing. The big domed city of Shisk glowed in the distance. It was just before dawn as he climbed out of his fighter and stretched. When he turned toward noises to his right he was astonished at the scene. Thousands of mutants and seafolken had gathered and were organizing and checking their weapons. Then he remembered Shisk was Threebeard’s hometown. He’d have many friends and allies ready to do battle here. Fighters were landing one after another. He recognized the 1st Airborne and saw Tam in the distance. He walked briskly over to him and they embraced.
“Nice work back there in Dalo,” Leek said. “I’ve heard our people have taken control of the island.”
“Yes, thanks to you. Your diversion was perfectly executed.”
“I can’t take credit for that. I just shook hands and did what I was told.”
“So, Lorin is our new Chancellor, huh?” Tam noted with a big grin.
“Yes, so we’ve got to make sure this mission is a success. We wouldn’t want to blemish her new regime from the start.”
“No. She’d never let us forget it.”
A loon later Red and John joined them, along with the leaders of the local militia and the seafolken. Then Leek heard barking and smiled when he saw Rhin running toward him with a pack of rhutz on her tail. He knelt down and embraced his friend while Tam, Red and John backed off and watched them warily.
As Leek was stroking Rhin, a medic came up holding a small blue packet. “Commander?”
Leek stood up and gave the medic a hard look. “Yes.”
“Ah, sir. I was told to give this to you,” the medic said handing Leek the blue packet.
Leek took it and examined it curiously. “What’s this?”
“It’s a syringe containing a strong sedative. The doctor says you should inject Lucinda with it when you find her. She may be too weak to handle the trauma of her rescue.”
Leek nodded. “But I’ve never given someone a shot before.”
John took the blue packet from Leek. “I’ll do it. I served in a medical unit before I became a pilot.”
“Thanks,” Leek said with a sigh of relief.
The medic left and with everyone there the leaders of the makeshift army reviewed their plans, made last minute adjustments and then moved out to make history.
From the Loyalist headquarters just inside Rigimol’s southern border, Threebeard hacked into Shisk’s master computer network and disabled the security on the city’s primary entry points. This allowed the rhutz and militia dressed in civilian attire into the city. The troops were brought in on a tram that Threebeard managed to commandeer before shutting down the entire tram system along with the police communications network. The first strike came on Shisk’s spaceport and adjoining air base. The 1st Airborne hit it mercilessly with Muscan missiles, cluster bombs, and tactical flash bombs. The TGA was taken by complete surprise with most of its fighters on the ground.
At the same time three mutant militiamen armed with portable Muscan missile launchers blasted three large holes in the north wall of Pritzka Prison. The militiamen poured through the holes and headed for the cell blocks. Tam and his platoon engaged the guards and quickly neutralized the guard towers. Leek, Red and John began a search for Luci.
They had been told she was in cell block C, but when they got to it they found it locked down. While Red rigged a torch bomb to take out the door, Leek peered through the small square window searching for her. Just as they were about to detonate the bomb, two guards attacked them from behind. Red went crashing into the bars then fell to the ground with the guard on his back. John pulled out his laser pistol and shot him point-blank in the head. He fell off to the side and didn’t move.
In the meantime, the other guard had landed on top of Leek and knocked him to the ground. Leek struggled to get out of the guard’s grasp but the soldier was twice his weight and fought like a wounded bear. Finally, Red kicked the guard in the face and pried him off Leek’s back. When the two were finally separated John shot the guard with his laser.
Red went back to his work rigging the torch bomb and, when it was ready, told Leek and John to clear out. They backed off and took cover. There was an explosion and the cell block gate swung open. They all rushed in and began searching for Luci. In the last cell they found her lying on the cold stone floor, still chained to the wall as they’d seen her on the VC.
Red set and blew another charge and the cell door swung open. Leek raced over to Luci and lifted her head. She was barely breathing and looked as pale as a ghost. John cut her chains with one laser blast about a foot from her hand. Leek
picked her up in his arms, tears of joy and horror streaming from his eyes.
Lucinda’s eyes opened slowly and Leek saw a faint smile on her face. “You came for me,” she said, barely audible.
“Yes, my love, of course I came for you.”
Her smile widened and then John took her arm and gave her the injection. Almost immediately her eyes closed and she went limp.
“Let’s get out of here!” Leek said. “She needs medical attention.”
Rushing back the way they came they immediately came under fire again. They took cover in a doorway and assessed their situation. Red had a heat-seeking grenade, so he pulled the plug and tossed it toward the source of the gunfire. The grenade locked on the heat signature of one of the guards and shot straight at him. The guard turned and tried to escape but grenade attached itself to his torso and exploded. The shock knocked two guards through a window and left them sprawled lifeless on the ground. Leek, Red, and John ran past the corpses and rushed toward the hole in the wall where they’d come in. As they broke through the wall they were horrified to see a line of TGA soldiers advancing toward them.
Behind them the militiamen were swarming out of the hole and, at the sight of the TGA, a firefight erupted between the two sides. Leek sank behind a disabled PTV trying to keep himself and Luci out of the crossfire. The battle raged for a long time and Leek knew each tik that went by would make their escape more difficult. Just when he’d thought all was lost he heard barking as Rhin and a pack of rhutz attacked the advancing TGA soldiers.
The soldiers turned and tried to fire on the charging rhutz but their laser guns were jerked out of their hands, leaving them confused and defenseless. The rhutz went for their necks and began tearing them to shreds. At this Leek saw his opportunity and ran through a break in the line. Red, John and Rhin followed them through the gap and ran to a waiting tram. They jumped in, pushed the close button, and the tram immediately left the station.
“How is she?” Red asked.
Leek looked down sorrowfully. “I don’t know. She was lucid before we gave her the sedative. I think she’ll be okay. She was very weak, though.”
Red felt for a pulse. “She’s still alive, but she needs immediate medical attention.”
“There will be medics waiting just outside the dome. We’ll be there in just a few tiks.”
A short time later the tram stopped, the doors opened and they found themselves back in their staging area outside the city. Fires were raging in the distance and the sounds of exploding bombs permeated the air. Two medics came over and took Luci, put her on a stretcher, and began scanning her to determine her condition. Leek watched them anxiously.
A soldier rushed over and tapped Leek on the shoulder. “Commander. They’ve located the hospital where your baby is being held. We can take you there if you like, but we don’t have much time.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Leek, Red and John followed the militiaman back on the tram and the doors closed. When they opened they found themselves in a commercial district. They got out and the militiaman pointed to a hospital down the street.
“Room 216c,” he said.
They tucked their laser pistols out of sight and walked briskly to the hospital. No one seemed to notice them as they walked in, so they went directly to the elevators and punched the second floor. When the doors opened they walked out and looked around. There was a TGA soldier standing guard in front of one of the rooms. Leek assumed his baby must be in the room under guard.
John walked down toward the soldier. The soldier raised his laser and told him to halt. John raised his hands. “Easy comrade, I’m just looking for my sister’s room, 218.”
“This is a restricted floor. You must leave immediately.”
John kept walking past the soldier. “It should be right down here.”
“Stop!” the soldier ordered, turning to keep an eye on him.
Just as soon as he had his back turned, Red came up from behind and jolted him with his stun gun. Leek immediately rushed into the room. Inside there were six babies in bassinets. Leek studied them, wondering which one was his child. The first one was marked 216a. He looked at the one marked 216c and went over to it. There was a chart so he picked it up and looked at it. At the bottom a doctor had signed it and following his name it read: Medical Officer, Pritzka Prison. He turned the baby’s head and immediately saw Luci’s eyes. He nearly wept as he picked up his son and held him close to his chest.
There was a commotion outside as a nurse was demanding to know what was going on. Red pulled her inside the room, tied her up and gagged her. Then they left with the baby. The militiaman was waiting at the tram station and opened the door when he saw them. A moment later they were on their way out of the city.
When they got back to the staging area the medics took the baby to prepare it for transport, then Leek asked them about Luci.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Commander, but she’s dead,” the medic said.
Leek just glared at the medic in shock. “But, she was alive when I left here,” he protested.
“I know. It looks like she was poisoned—there were traces of exicrin in the saliva we tested. It’s a poison used to eradicate rats and other rodents,” the medic added.
Leek shook his head angrily. “No! No! She can’t be dead. Not my Luci.” He staggered over to an ammunition crate and sat down. Red went over to him and put his arm on his shoulder. John looked away and closed his eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Commander,” Red said.
“There were probably standing orders to kill her if there was a rescue attempt,” the medic conjectured.
“Probably,” Red agreed. “Well, at least you have your baby.”
“But he won’t have his mother. It’s not fair!”
Red closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “I know, but you’ve got to be strong. “You’re a father now. Your son needs you to survive this war so you can take care of him.”
Leek looked up, his eyes red and swollen. “It’s a boy, I think? I thought it was going to be a boy?”
“Yes, the medic said and it looks like they’ve taken good care of him.”
John walked up and stood in front of Leek. “Sir,” he said. “It’s time to pull out. The TGA reinforcement will be here soon.”
Leek nodded and looked up at the medic. “Take the baby back to base. Send him to Tehra in Shini. The Chancellor’s assistant will know how to contact her.”
“Yes, sir,” the medic replied.
“Also, take Luci’s body back to base. She should get a proper burial.”
After the medic had left to carry out his orders, the others got in their flight suits and prepared to leave. As they were running to their fighters a hovertank suddenly appeared out of nowhere with guns blasting everything in sight. Panic overtook Leek as he realized the hovertank was on a collision course with the medic unit that had custody of his baby. He couldn’t let them kill his son, but there was no way to take out a hovertank. It took three fighters to do that.
Then he remembered seeing Rhin take out a copter using her telekinetic powers. How had she done it? He looked at the hovertank and wondered what he could do to disable it. Then he saw several barrels of fighter fuel that soon would be directly under the hovertank. He shot the barrels with his laser and they exploded, engulfing the hovertank in flames.
The hovertank changed course to avoid the explosion. Leek continued to study it, trying to spot some vulnerability. Then it dawned on him. The pulse jet operated like a mechanical lung, breathing some kind of electronic impulse in and out. If he could throw something at the four pulse jets they might suck it in, causing an interruption of the pulse. He thought of airplanes on Earth crashing because they ran through a flock of birds. It’s worth a try. He looked around the staging area and saw a large tarp that had been covering some boxes of ammunition. Focusing on the tarp, it suddenly sailed up toward the hovertank like it had been caught up in a gust of wind. One of
the pulse jets sucked in the tarp and then spat it out. Leek concentrated and pushed it back into the jet. The jet sucked in the tarp again, this time jamming its mechanism. The hovertank tilted and began to list to one side. The tarp began to disintegrate and large portions of it were discharged. Leek looked at another tarp and willed it into the pulse jet. For a moment he held it there, but it soon was discharged and fell to the ground. Leek cursed the mechanical beast. The gunner on the hovertank must have seen what Leek was doing because the big turret gun reeled around and began firing. A bullet pierced Leek’s shoulder, making him stagger backward. The tarp was about to hit the ground when it suddenly shot back in place. Leek looked over and saw Rhin, who looked back anxiously. Blood was dripping down Leek’s flight suit.
Rhin returned her attention to the hovertank and growled angrily. The jet sucked in the tarp again and there was a rattling noise as part of the exposed pulse jet began to unravel. Soon the hovertank was spinning out of control. Before it hit the ground its stabilizer rod swung out to stop its fall but the momentum was too great and the monster went crashing to the ground. Leek saluted Rhin and then staggered for his fighter. Seeing him fall to one knee, a seafolken soldier grabbed his arm.
“Are you all right, Commander?”
“I don’t know,” Leek moaned. He could barely think, the pain in his shoulder was so excruciating.
There was a loud explosion. Leek and the soldier looked up and saw another hovertank bearing down on them.
“Help me to my fighter. I’ll be all right.”
The seafolken helped Leek into his T-47 and then ran off to catch up with his platoon. Leek sat in the cockpit trying to focus. He knew he had lost a lot of blood and had to stop the bleeding or he would die. He reached for his medical kit and pulled out a tube of healing gel and disinfectant wipes. He could hear the wooof wooof wooof of the hovertank coming at him fast. He cleaned the wound quickly with the wipe, squeezed the healing gel over it, and covered it with a bandage. He knew the gel would stop the bleeding.
Something exploded outside and rocked the plane. He started the engine, but couldn’t take off yet without first plugging the hole in his flight suit. As he was taxiing down the runway he opened a pocket in his flight suit and pulled out a patch. Pulling off the backing with his teeth, he slammed the patch over the bullet hole and gave the T-47 full throttle.
As he lifted off he saw the medical transport plane taking off on a different runway. He prayed it would make it back to base safely. Weakened from his loss of blood and shock of Lucinda’s death, he just wanted to put the fighter on autopilot and go to sleep, but, he had one last task to complete. About fifty kylods south of Shisk was the huge Lutzva assembly plant where, among other things, the Lutzva Hovertank was manufactured. If they could destroy this plant that would go a long way toward winning the war. He swung around and soon was heading south.
“R2, are you there?” Leek said into his communicator.
“R2 here,” Tam replied. “Are you all right, Commander. I saw you stumbling to your plane.”
Leek stifled a groan. “Yeah. I’m fine. . . . R3, are you there?”
“Affirmative,” Red said. “The rest of the wing is right behind me.”
“Good. Lets put Lutzva Aeronautics out of business!” Leek commanded.
The three fighters dropped out of stealth mode and came in low over the industrial plant. They each dropped a line of cluster bombs directly over the plant. As they circled around for another run, twelve more fighters unloaded on the plant. Just as they were about to leave, a mass of TGA fighters appeared and opened fire on them. With the mission accomplished all the Loyalist fighters took off in different directions to divide up their pursuers. Unfortunately, this still left two TGA fighters for every one of the Loyalists.
Leek saw a fighter on John’s tail and swung over to engage it. Before he could lock on and fire a Muscan, however, the TGA pilot launched a missile. John’s decoys shot out and the missile followed one of them but the explosion was so close it clipped off part of his wing. Leek locked on the TGA fighter and fired. The fighter’s tail exploded and the plane began to fall. The pilot managed to level out the plane but couldn’t slow it down. It hit the ground, skidded and then crashed into a metal building.
A loud explosion jolted Leek’s fighter. He looked to his left and saw a Loyalist fighter exploding. He watched in horror as the plane disintegrated before his eyes. His vision started to blur. He felt disoriented. A harsh whining noise drew his attention back to John’s fighter which was beginning to spin out of control. Leek tried to circle around and follow John but two enemy fighters were hot on his tail. He knew he was in no condition to outmaneuver them. There was only one way to escape. Reluctantly he gave his fighter full throttle, clicked on autopilot, and put it into stealth mode. As he flew off into the hazy sky, he wondered whose fighter had exploded. He prayed it wasn’t anybody he knew. He turned on his communicator.
“R1 to R2, are you there?”
There was no answer.
“R1 to R3, are you there?”
Silence.
“L21. Are you okay?”
More silence.
“R1 here. Is anybody out there?”
“Commander, this is A16. I only count five of the attack team making it out.”
“A16. Did you see the others go down?”
“No, sir. Just counted them coming out over the water.”
“All right, A16. See you back at the base. Tell them I’ll need a medic on landing. Lost a lot of blood . . .”
Leek’s finger slipped off his communicator and he passed out.
22
Counter Offensive
When Leek woke up he was back in the Doral Mountains in a casualty bed in the new medical unit built by the nanomites while he was in Queenland. Captain Shilling looked down at him and smiled.
“Commander. How do you feel?”
“Like a shuttle landed on me,” he moaned as he tried to sit up.
“No. No. Stay down. You’ve been seriously injured. It’s a wonder you made it back alive.”
“Really? Thank God for autopilots, huh?”
“Yes, and it’s a good thing you had the sense to give yourself some first aid. I don’t know how you managed it.”
“My mother’s a nurse back on Earth. She taught me a few tricks.”
“It’s a good thing. Had you not somehow stopped the bleeding you’d have bled out.”
“Hey, what about the Avengers? Are they okay?”
“Red’s okay but we haven’t heard from Tam or John.”
Leek closed his eyes. “Oh. God! Not Tam. He can’t be dead.”
“I’m sorry. I know you two were close.”
Tears welled up in Leek’s eyes. He was relieved to hear that Red was okay. He hadn’t lost all his friends, at least. He surmised that when John’s plane went down Tam had circled back and tried to rescue him, but that would have been tantamount to suicide. He felt guilty that he’d left his friends behind even though he knew he had no other choice given the responsibilities that rested on his shoulders.
“What about the baby?”
“The baby is fine. Tehra is taking care of him.”
Leek thought of Luci. She’d spoken to him before she died from the poison that had been injected into her prior to her rescue. He figured Videl had planned it all along. He’d kept her alive for propaganda purposes and to punish the Liberator, but had given orders to poison her upon any attempt at escape. Except for the pain she’d been forced to endure, she’d been dead the moment of her kidnaping.
After Captain Shilling had left, Leek felt exhausted. He tried to sleep, but before he could doze off, Threebeard’s thoughts came flooding into his mind. “Tomorrow morning we must counterattack. I’ve alerted the 3rd Army in your absence to be ready. This is our opportunity to cripple the TGA in Lemaine Shane.
Your command staff has their orders.”
“Yes, but the 1st Airborne has just returned from Shisk. I don’t know if they’ll be ready. I don’t know if I’m up to it.”
“You must be! This is the moment. The beginning of the end of the TGA!”
“All right! Okay! We’ll be ready,” Leek thought as he struggled out of bed.
A nurse tried to stop him, but he waved her off. He went to his quarters, took a shower and went to the command center. It was a hubbub of activity as the 3rd Army prepared to launch its most aggressive offensive of the war.
“Commander General! What are you doing here? I thought you’d be recuperating for a few days,” Major Oakril said.
“I can’t very well do that with the most important battle of the war about to begin. . . . What’s our plan of attack?”
“Our army has occupied southwest Tributon since it reentered the war after the last TGA offensive began. We intend to start there and drive a wedge through Tributon and completely isolate the main TGA army to the north. At the same time the regular Loyalist armies will launch an all-out assault from their end and we’ll squeeze them into submission.”
“I see. So, all this came from Threebeard?”
“Yes. In your absence he has been giving us direct orders. . . . He also had us send two divisions to reclaim Quori.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard since its dominant population are mutants.”
“Captain Lavendar’s platoon has been sent to retake Gallion too. We intend to keep it this time.”
“Without Tam?”
“Yes. Red was assigned to take his place. He’s pretty familiar with the unit and the men know and trust him.”
“Yes, I know they do, but they can’t take Gallion by themselves?”
“Right. General Zitor is sending a couple divisions to help them out and the seafolken will be there too.”
“So, I guess you didn’t need me after all. Maybe I will go back to the casualty unit.”
“Well, actually Captain Shilling told me you might show up, and if you did, to send you her way.”
“Oh. Okay. Where is she?”
“In the studio.”
Leek nodded and headed for the part of the command center where the Liberation Network broadcast its messages all over Tarizon. Captain Shilling was at a desk writing. She smiled when she saw Leek enter.
“Well, look who’s here. I figured you couldn’t stay away. Don’t you know it takes time for wounds to heal?”
“Sorry. Don’t have time to lie around. Too much going on.”
“Right. And idle time is no good when you’re grieving.”
Leek looked away, not able to reply.
“Anyway, I know this is a lot to ask, but we need you to announce our new offensive to the people of Tarizon. They need to hear the good news from the Liberator.”
Leek nodded. “Of course. I’ll try to pull myself together.”
“I have a script I’ve prepared. You can look it over and make any changes you think are appropriate. Or, you can scrap it altogether if you don’t like it.”
Leek took the script from the captain and sat down in a chair across from her. He read the script and then looked up.
“This sounds great. I didn’t know you were a writer.”
“Before I joined the military I was studying to be a journalist. The lure of space travel got the better of me, though, so I gave up journalism and joined the TGA space program.”
“When do we go on the air?”
“Well, not until morning, but since you’re here now, why don’t you tape it and then you can go get some sleep.”
“All right. That sounds good. I am pretty tired. Let me read it a few more times so it will seem natural.”
“Right. Take your time. It will take a few loons to get the studio set up.”
Leek reread the script and made a few changes. Then he read it again. When he felt he was ready he went into the recording booth and sat down. Major Oakril, Captain Shilling and the technical crew all crowded around to watch Leek as he began to deliver his historic message.
“Citizens of Tarizon. I am pleased to inform you that we are about to launch an ambitious assault on the enemies of Tarizon. At this very moment several major offensives are being launched in Rigimol, Tributon, Quori, Ock Mezan, Lower Azollo and, yes, even Turvin.
“This will be a turning point in our struggle to restore the rule of law on Tarizon. One day soon we will be governed by men who believe in God and the right of all life forms to live together in peace and harmony.
“I have just returned from Shisk and I’m proud to inform you we have destroyed the Lutzva assembly plant. As you may know, Lutzva was the manufacturer of our enemy’s hovertanks that have killed so many of our brave citizens. Fortunately we have found other ways to destroy them but nothing as effective as preventing their manufacture. This is a major blow to the enemy and will save many lives.
“While I was in Shisk I led a raid on Pritzka Prison. Yes, we were able to penetrate TGA security in and around their own capital city and travel in broad daylight to Pritzka Prison where my mate, Lucinda Demitri, was being held. An assault team made up of portions of the 3rd Army and local militia penetrated the prison and rescued Lucinda and many political prisoners held there.
“She was alive when I first got to her, so I carried her from the prison only to find out later she’d been poisoned just before I arrived. She’d died in my arms and I didn’t even realize I was carrying a corpse.”
A tear welled in Leek’s eye and overflowed down his cheek. He wiped it away with his sleeve.
“Unlike the coward, Videl Lai, who would have vipers dropped on our civilian population of Shini, we were in and out of Shisk with no civilian casualties. The only destruction we left behind was to Pritzka Prison, the space port, and the Lutzva assembly plant.
“That’s the difference between the Purists and the Loyalists. We live by honor, integrity and justice. They live by lies, treachery and deceit. We believe in love, respect, and the sanctity of all life forms. They believe in strength, expediency and the dominance of unblemished humans.
“Tomorrow you will hear some shocking news. News of a devastating weapon that the Loyalists have unleashed on the TGA in Rigimol and Tributon. Regrettably the news will be true. Such a weapon will be used to put an end to this war. But this weapon will only be used on military targets and not on innocent civilians. This new weapon is similar to the vipers indiscriminately used by the TGA. Our new weapon, the superviper, is just as lethal as the original viper but will not cause the horrific, painful death that so delights Videl Lai and his cohorts. Furthermore, the super viper can be controlled in flight so that adjustments can be made if the wind shifts or the target moves unexpectedly. Finally, the super viper will not be worthless after just one attack, but will be able to strike over and over again, seven times before running out of power and poison.
“All of us at Loyalist command abhor having to use such a devastating weapon but to fail to use it would be asking for defeat. For those soldiers in Tributon and Rigimol, I apologize to you and your families and pray that God has mercy on our souls.
“Fortunately, there is some good news this morning that I can share with you. While we were in Shisk we did manage to free hundreds of political prisoners and, on the way out of the city, I stopped by one of the hospitals and rescued my son. Yes, it’s true. He’s in good health and on his way to Shini as I speak to you today.”
Leek smiled for the first time. He looked over at Captain Shilling and saw her wipe a tear from her eye.
“You know Tarizon has no monopoly on evil. Back on Earth where I came from we were battling evil constantly. Fortunately I lived in a time of relative peace between nations, but there were still plenty of tyrants and dictators around reigning terror on their own populations. For those unfortunate people who lived in those nations, life was indeed tragic.
“But what I’ve observed on Earth and know from the his
tory of Earth and Tarizon, is that in the end all tyrants fall! Because evil benefits but a few, while goodness blesses the masses. This is why Videl favors genocide, because he knows that, no matter how powerful he might be, eventually the masses will overwhelm him.
“Citizens of Tarizon! Now is the time to rise up and take control of your destiny! Now is the time for the masses to rise up against the tyrant and smite him! We will start the battle but you must join in to secure victory!
“If you have not already joined the Liberation movement now is the time to make that call. We need you today. Right now. Drop what you are doing and join the battle against Videl Lai. Tomorrow may be too late!”
The camera lights went off and Leek took a deep breath. Captain Shilling walked into the booth and shook his hand. “That was great, Commander. Quite moving.”
“Well, I just read the script. You put the words together.”
“Yes, and I’m sure you’d have done just as well without my help, but there wasn’t time.”
“No. I think I’m going to hire you as my speech writer,” Leek said jokingly.
Major Oakril stepped in and shook Leek’s hand. “I’m already getting reports from our cell leaders that their recruiters are getting swamped with calls. It looks like your speech was just what we needed.”
“Well, I hope so,” Leek replied. “We’ve raised the hopes and expectations of the people; now we have to deliver what we’ve promised or suffer the consequences. I hope Threebeard knows what he’s doing.”
They all looked at him but no one said anything. He smiled and said, “I’m so exhausted now, I think I may actually be able to sleep. Wake me when reports start coming in from the fronts, okay?”
“Good idea, sir,” Major Oakril replied. “I’ll see to it that you are awakened the moment we know anything.”
When he returned to his quarters, Rhin was there to greet him. He was glad to see her because she’d help him keep his mind off Luci. He thought about Luci’s body and the need to plan a funeral, but with the new offensive it might be many days before he could get back to Shini to arrange it.
Leek sat on his bed rubbing Rhin’s back vigorously. Then he put his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. She didn’t move, understanding his need for her. Then he wept.