23
Rescue
Tam decided to take one last run over the Lutzva assembly plant to make sure it had been completely destroyed and to get some footage of the burning rubble to play on the Liberation Network. Lorin had arranged for cameras to be rigged on his fighter for that very purpose and he didn’t want to disappoint her. The TGA fighters had scattered, chasing their Loyalist prey and he’d managed to shake his pursuers, so the sky seemed clear.
As he was taking the footage he spotted a Loyalist fighter descending rapidly with a tail of smoke behind it. He broke off his pattern over the assembly plant and followed the fighter. He recognized it immediately as being John’s. The fighter was missing part of its wing and having trouble leveling off for a landing but at the last moment managed to stabilize and hit the ground on its landing gear. The fighter’s emergency deceleration chutes deployed, bringing the plane to a rapid halt.
Tam circled the plane and saw John had managed to land it in a freshly tilled field. He noted a farmhouse situated about two kylods away. There didn’t seem to be anyone rushing to the crash site, so Tam decided to look for a landing spot and possibly make a rescue attempt.
He knew rescuing John was a longshot at best and if he landed his fighter he might never get it back in the air. The fighter required a hard surface and considerable running room for a takeoff. He doubted he’d find that out there in the country with narrow roads and most of the land covered with trees and vegetation.
His only hope would be to get to John before the TGA found him, and then try to hook up with the Soni militia that had teamed up with his platoon at Pritzka Prison. But that would be exceedingly difficult with the TGA swarming the area looking for them. He pondered if he should just point the fighter home, give it full throttle and put it in stealth mode. Then he remembered he didn’t have to make this decision himself. He could consult with his mentor, Threebeard or his friend, Leek. He thought about it and decided on Threebeard since Leek, given their friendship, would be more likely influenced by emotion rather than logic.
He programmed his fighter to fly out to sea and then circle back to the spot where John had crashed. Then he put it on autopilot and closed his eyes. He thought of Threebeard and connected with little effort.
“What troubles you, my friend?” Threebeard thought.
“John has crashed and I wonder if I should try to save him. I’ve a little time, but probably not enough.”
Threebeard searched Tam’s thoughts and immediately understood the situation.
“You should try to save him. Destroy the fighter when you leave him. I’ll find some rhutz to protect you until you can link up with the militia.”
Tam hadn’t thought of the rhutz. There would be some of their kind nearby.
“Actually,” Threebeard thought. “This might be a stroke of luck. We needed someone like you to lead the militia on Turvin. I think God has sent you there for that purpose.”
“Me? You want me to command the militia on Turvin?”
“Yes. As the closest friend of the Liberator they’ll follow you without question. Tell them the Liberator sent you.”
“All right, then. Thank you for your help. Would you tell Commander Lanzia that I’m all right? I know he’ll be worried.”
“I will,” Threebeard promised.
“Thanks,” Tam thought and opened his eyes.
He was unsure that he was the right man to lead the Turvin militia. He had never been much of a leader. You had to know how to follow to be a good leader and he’d never accepted authority too gracefully. That’s why he had ended up on Muhl. Being Leek’s friend, he’d been given much latitude and rarely had to take orders, but now he was expected to quickly build an army that depended on strict obedience to all orders without question. But then again, he thought, since he’d be giving the orders, perhaps he could do it.
As the fighter made its turn to go back to John’s location he’d made up his mind he could command the 5th Army, as it would be named, and do his part in ridding Tarizon of Videl Lai!
Looking down over the crash site, Tam was delighted to see the cockpit door opened. He assumed John was okay and had left the plane. He immediately started looking for a place to land but saw nothing better than the field where John had crashed. Since he was going to destroy his plane anyway, he didn’t need to worry about being able to take off again. All he had to do was to land without killing himself.
He circled again and started to descend for a landing. He was surprised he hadn’t seen any TGA fighters yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time. Since he hadn’t been flying in stealth mode he knew he’d be picked up on radar sooner or later. Sure enough, just as he was landing, he spotted two TGA fighters coming at him. Tam’s fighter landed hard and the emergency parachutes opened. He blew off the cockpit window since he wouldn’t need it and scrambled out of the plane just as soon as it came to a stop. Just moments after he’d hit the ground running the fighter blew up, scattering debris in all directions.
The blast threw him to the ground and knocked him unconscious. Fortunately his flight suit protected him from the searing heat of the blast. When he woke up, John was looking down at him with a worried look on his face. Tam struggled to a sitting position.
“You okay?” John asked.
“Me? How about you?”
“Just a headache. We’ve got to get out of here.”
“You’ve got that right. There are copters all around. I can hear them.”
John helped Tam out of his flight suit and they began running away from the sounds of the approaching copter. Before they realized it they were surrounded by rhutz. They followed the rhutz deep into the forest. A few kylods later the rhutz stopped, sensing their human friends needed to rest.
Tam looked the lead rhutz in the eyes and thought. “Thank you my friend. You got to us so fast.”
“Yes. Threebeard said you’d need us immediately.”
“What’s your name?”
“Riddle,” the rhutz thought.
“Riddle. I like that. Do you know where to take us?”
“Yes, to the place where the militia train. It will take us two days to get there.”
Tam moaned. “That long? This air is killing me.”
“It will be better in the mountains.”
“What mountains?”
“The Weeping Mountains north of Shisk. We’ll have to take an indirect path in order to avoid detection.”
Tam and John sat on a fallen log. They hadn’t talked much since they’d been going double time to stay ahead of the TGA. Now, however, John felt the urge to thank Tam for returning for him.
“You’d have done the same thing, brother.”
“I don’t know,” John teased. “I’m kind of a dirkbird at heart. I probably would have hightailed it to safety.”
“Well, that’s true. You are a dirkbird.”
“So, really. Why did you come back for me?”
“Threebeard said I should. He wants me to lead the militia here in Turvin.”
“Really, so we’re not going back to base?”
“No. We’re meeting the militia in the Weeping Mountains and taking charge of the 5th Army.”
“The 5th Army. I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s just you and me and whatever militia we manage to convince to hook up with us.”
Tam felt the rhutz in his mind. He looked over at Riddle.
“Sorry, friend,” he said. “Time to move out.”
John nodded and got to his feet. This time the rhutz slowed his pace a bit, indicating there wasn’t any imminent danger lurking about. Soon it was dark but the rhutz didn’t stop, and keeping up with them was often by sound rather than sight. The rhutz finally stopped on a hilltop where they could see many kylods in every direction. The glow from Shisk’s dome illuminated the clouds hanging over the city. It was a magnificent sight that held them spellb
ound. The rhutz formed a circle around them and sat. Tam and John finally looked away from the city and prepared to camp for the night. They ate field rations John had retrieved from his fighter before he set the self-destruct mechanism and then they did the best they could to get comfortable and went to sleep.
Just as the sky began to lighten in the east the rhutz were on their feet. Tam sat up and rubbed his eyes. The air was thick and foul smelling. He wished he had a breather. He wondered why the air was so much worse here than in Tributon and Rigimol. He suspected it was because Shisk was so much farther south. The air seemed to be clearing from the poles inward.
After eating their rations Tam looked at the map of Soni that John had brought with him from his flight suit. He surmised from the map that they were on a course to bypass the city of Condati which was due east of Shisk. Looking at his compass, he saw that they were going almost due north and by day’s end would be near the city of Blit. He’d heard of Blit as a resort town at the foot of the Weeping Mountains.
Riddle paced back and forth and barked.
“All right. We’re coming,” Tam said.
John and Tam put their packs on their backs and started after the rhutz.
“He’s like the drill sergeants back on Pogo,” John said. “Do the rhutz have ranks, you think?”
Tam laughed. “I doubt it. He’s just doing his job like any good soldier.”
“I’m glad they’re on our side. I’d hate to have one of them mad at me. Did you see what they did to those TGA soldiers trying to keep us from fleeing Pritzka Prison?”
“Right. That was pretty gruesome. Their teeth must be razor sharp.”
“I’ll say. I’ve never seen so much blood.”
“And it was all for nothing. They poisoned Lucinda before we got there,” Tam said.
John looked away. “Right. Commander Lanzia must be a wreck. He really loves his mate. I’m fond of my mate, but I’m not obsessed with her like the Commander is.”
“That’s the way it is on Earth. You don’t mate with someone unless you’re in love with them.”
“In love, obsessed with them so much you can’t live without them, I don’t know if that’s so good, do you?”
“I don’t know,” Tam replied. “I’ve never thought about it much, but it seems to be good for the ones in love.”
“I suppose.”
Riddle and the rest of the pack of rhutz stopped. Tam looked around but saw nothing. John turned and scanned the terrain behind them. The forest was quiet. One of the rhutz suddenly took off running. Tam drew his sidearm. The rhutz was running toward a clump of brush. Just before he got to it two range deer shot out and started running. Another rhutz took off toward the others. The first rhutz overtook the range deer and went for its throat. It tried to shake the rhutz off but its grip was too strong. The deer finally stumbled and fell to the ground. The second rhutz soon had the second range deer on the ground and, after a brief struggle, it too went limp.
The rest of the pack trotted up to the first range deer and began feeding off of it but they left the second carcass alone. John looked at Tam and Tam shrugged.
“I guess it’s time for lunch,” Tam said. “Come on. You ever skinned a range deer?”
“No. They don’t think we’re going to eat it raw, do they?” John said.
“I hope not,” Tam replied with a sour face. “You get a fire going and I’ll cut out some good meat for us. We can’t eat the whole deer. I’ll give what’s left over to the rhutz.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Tam got out his powerknife and began skinning a portion of the deer. After he’d cut out two good portions of meat he looked at Riddle and thought, This is all we can eat. Thanks.
Immediately several rhutz abandoned their kill and went for the second one. Tam watched them for a moment and then took the meat to the fire John had built. John produced two pointed sticks and they proceeded to cook their lunch by holding the meat over the fire.
The rhutz, who’d finished their meal, looked on with curious interest at the human ritual of burning perfectly good meat before eating it. When it was fully cooked John and Tam began eating with great delight.
“Wow. This tastes great,” John said. “I think Commander Lanzia has the right idea. Everyone should have a rhutz to protect them and catch them great game.”
Tam laughed. “Somehow I don’t think the rhutz would go for that. They’re only helping us because they hate Videl Lai and they’re hoping we can kill the skutz.”
“I know. Do you think they’d consider hiring out?”
“Well, you’d have to be telepathic to communicate with them.”
“So, why don’t you pick one out to be your friend.”
“I wish I could, but Rhin is only the second rhutz to ever befriend a human being. I doubt I’d be so lucky.”
Before long Riddle began pacing again, indicating their lunch break was over. John suggested they take a nap before going on, but Riddle growled when he started to lie down, so he abandoned that idea pretty quickly.
The hiking got more difficult in the afternoon as they began to ascend toward the foothills of the Weeping Mountains. Before long they learned how the mountain range got its name. A gentle mist began to fall and, judging from the moss on the rocks and trees, it was a permanent climatic condition on this side of the mountains. As they walked, some geography Tam had learned cycles earlier came back to him.
“The Weeping Mountains are a rain forest. I think they get rain almost every day. Moisture comes up from the Coral Sea and as it is forced over the mountains it cools and turns to rain. Very little moisture is left when it gets to the east side of the mountains. Have you heard of the Duesi Desert?”
“Sure,” John said. “That’s the place my flight instructor always said you didn’t want to run out of fuel.”
“Right. A hundred square kylods of rocky wasteland infested with poisonous snakes and deadly scorleons. And not a drop of water unless you happen to visit on one of the two days it rains during the cycle.”
“Right. Too bad we can’t kidnap Videl and drop him right in the middle of it.”
“That would be too good for him,” Tam said. “He needs to be tortured on live VC so everyone can watch.”
“You know, I’m a little surprised we’ve managed to completely elude the TGA so far. They’ve got to have a massive manhunt out for us,” John said.
“I know. I wondered the same thing. I haven’t seen a single plane or a soldier since we lost the copters.”
“Do you think they are keeping out of sight, hoping we’ll lead them to the militia base?”
“Maybe, or they’re afraid of the rhutz and don’t want to confront them.”
“But how would they even know the rhutz had joined us?”
“Good point. We better stay alert anyway. I’d hate to compromise the 5th Army before it ever got organized.”
As they climbed the foothills of the Weeping Mountains Tam stopped at every opportunity to look back with his binoculars to see if there was any sign of someone following them. But he saw nothing unusual. Before nightfall on the second day a platoon of militia intercepted them.
“Halt! Identify yourselves,” their leader demanded.
Tam raised his hands. “My name is Captain Tamurus Lavendar, Commander of the 1st Airborne Division of the 3rd Loyalist Army. This is Lt. John Sillmar, one of my pilots.”
“State your business here,” the leader said.
“John’s fighter was hit and went down and I tried to rescue him, but we couldn’t get back in the air.”
The soldier relaxed and cracked a smile. “Yes, we were expecting you. My name is Lt. Borros. Captain Shilling advised us to be on the lookout for you. Where did you get these rhutz?”
“Defense Minister Threebeard summoned them to provide security and lead us to your camp.”
“Hmm. We’ve been told they are to be our allies but we’ve never been able to communicate with them. You’ll have to tell
us how you do it. We could use their help.”
“It won’t be a problem any longer. I can communicate with them quite easily.”
The soldier raised his eyebrows. “Then welcome them to our camp and thank them for bringing you to us safely.”
“Certainly,” Tam said and looked over at Riddle to deliver the message. Riddle sat and bowed his head slightly. “The big rhutz over there is named Riddle. He’s the leader of this pack. He says it was his duty and no thanks are necessary. He also advised me that their job is now done so they will be returning to their home.”
Lt. Borros shrugged. “Okay then, follow me and I’ll take you to Captain Belmoht. He’s anxious to meet you.”
Lt. Borros started off through a clump of trees. Tam, John and the rest of the platoon followed. It was a rugged climb up into the mountains, across several meadows and streams until they were standing in front of an impressive pile of large boulders. There didn’t appear to be any way around the mass of rocks, but Lt. Borros entered a hidden passageway and then navigated them through a maze of dark paths between the boulders. When they emerged they gasped at the lush valley before them.
An endless configuration of camocubes stretched out as far as the eye could see. Soldiers marched to the left on a parade field and thousands of ATVs, jetcycles, and copters were parked and ready to transport the troops on a moment’s notice. Smoke rose from several campfires and Tam recognized the smell of range deer.
Lt. Borros pointed to a large camocube ahead of them. “We should go to the command cube over there.”
Tam nodded and followed Lt. Borros. When they got to the cube Lt. Borros told them to wait and went inside. A moment later Captain Belmoht stepped out.
“Captain Lavendar,” he said enthusiastically. “We are honored to have two of the Avengers in our camp.”
“Yes, well, we’re happy to be here.”
“So, you’ve come to relieve me of my command?”
“Well, not exactly. I’m here to officially organize the 5th Loyalist Army and invite you and your militia to join. If you accept you’ll be second in command and, in actuality, continue to run things pretty much as you have in the past.”
“I appreciate that, Captain or should I say Commander.”
“Commander?”
“Yes, I believe once the 5th Army is officially activated its commanding officer would be Commander General.”
“Oh, yes. You’re right. That means I’ve caught up with Commander General Lanzia.”
“Yes, quite impressive.”
“And, you will no longer be Captain Belmoht but Colonel Belmoht.”
“Excellent.”
“So, tell me about my new army.”
They all laughed and went into the command cube. Aides passed out tekari for everyone as Colonel Belmoht began filling them in on his militia. Tam was in a good mood. He liked Colonel Belmoht and, from what he saw of his militia when they broke into Pritzka Prison, it was a fine fighting unit. Realistically, however, the 5th Army was but a lone barracuda in a sea of sharks. It was hardly a threat and, if their location were discovered, Videl could destroy them in the blink of an eye.
24
The First Offensive
It wasn’t Captain Shilling who woke Leek up the next morning, but Threebeard. His thoughts were like a dream as they came flooding into his mind. He was greatly relieved to learn that Tam and John were okay. He was excited and proud when he found out Tam would be leading the new 5th Army. The fact that Threebeard hadn’t consulted him about the appointment bothered him a little, but he was the defense minister, so it was his prerogative.
Now his problem was who would he promote to take Tam’s place as the commander of the 1st Airborne. He was considering that problem when his communicator buzzed.
“Yes,” he said.
“We’re getting reports in from the front line,” Major Oakril said. “You may want to get some breakfast and then come up to the command center.”
“Okay. Thanks, Major. I’ll be there soon.”
The mention of breakfast got Rhin to her feet.
“Yeah, I’m kind of hungry too,” Leek said. “Let’s go see if they’re serving anything good this morning.”
Rhin went to the door and it opened automatically. “Hold on a tik, girl. I’ve got to get dressed. You’re lucky you don’t have to mess with clothing.”
Rhin backed up and the door closed. Leek went into the bathroom and a few moments later he returned fully clothed. The dining hall was deserted with most of the soldiers out on assignment and the command staff busy monitoring the first wave of the offensive. The cook gave Rhin two big raw steaks from a pig-like animal called a treep and Leek an omelet made with squit eggs, assorted breads, and strips of range deer. Leek was anxious to find out how the offensive was going so he gulped down his food and took his sankee with him to the command center. Rhin elected to stay behind and chew on her steaks awhile.
Leek felt the electricity in the air as he stepped inside. Every workstation was occupied and every piece of equipment was humming with activity. He went straight to his desk and sat down. Major Oakril came over to him immediately.
“Our forces have penetrated Gallion. The seafolken had a little trouble getting through the nets but they’re up on the docks now and are engaging the enemy. Unfortunately after our last visit they removed all seafolken from TGA vessels and moved all of the mutants off the base.”
“That figures. Where are Red and his men?”
“They’ve taken the tram station and are trying to take the control tower. The 84th Infantry Division is attacking from the east and are meeting heavy resistance.”
“How’s the 3rd Army doing?”
“They’re holding back, waiting to see what’s left of the TGA forces after the super vipers are done with them.”
“How long ago were they dropped?”
“Just before dawn. The poor devils won’t know what hit them.”
Leek recoiled at the thought of one of the super vipers attacking from out of the darkness. He felt a little sick inside knowing he’d played an important role in developing such a ghastly weapon. What bothered him the most was that many of the soldiers in the TGA weren’t there by choice but out of fear of the consequences of their desertion or defection. He took a deep breath.
“So, what about Ock Mezan?”
“The seafolken have established a beachhead on the south central part of the island. The 2nd Airborne has hit them from the air pretty hard and the local militia has secured one of the western provinces.”
“So, any bad news?”
“There are reports of a large convoy of ships heading from Muhl to Ock Mezan. When it reaches land the local militia will be outgunned. Our only hope is the seafolken can figure out a way to delay or destroy the convoy.”
“Hmm.”
“There’s been heavier than expected resistance in Lower Azollo. The offensive into the northernmost state of Morissee isn’t progressing as rapidly as had been expected. They have a few hovertanks and a small number of fighters they haven’t been able to take out.”
“Get the rhutz up to the front line. Rhin and I took out a hovertank in Shisk by messing with the pulse generator.”
“How did you do that?”
“It was Rhin mainly. All I could manage was to jam a tarp into one of the pulse jets but it wouldn’t stick. Then Rhin came along and started dismantling the entire mechanism with her mind. Between the two of us the hovertank went down.”
“Wow! I’ll get in touch with Queenland Command and suggest they get some rhutz and seafolken up to the front line to see if they can duplicate what you and Rhin did.”
Major Oakril rushed off and Leek looked up at one of the big monitors that was playing the broadcast over the Liberation Network. The image on the screen was footage of the attack on the Lutzva assembly plant. Then the im
age changed to a quiet military camp. Soldiers were coming out of their cubes and milling around, waiting for their morning rations. Suddenly the sky darkened. Many of the soldiers looked up to see what was causing the change in light. The camera panned upward to record what the soldiers were seeing. It was thousands of super vipers descending upon them.
Soldiers scattered in every direction when the vipers attacked. There were screams of anguish and horror that gave Leek gooseflesh. Soldiers were falling left and right never to see the light of day again. The vipers were relentless in their attacks and went from one victim to another. Although the victims felt no pain, the anticipation of instant death must have been the ultimate in mental anguish.
After awhile the scene was still. It didn’t seem that anyone had survived the attack. Leek wondered if there would be any soldiers left to fight after the vipers were done with them. He turned away from the screen, sickened by what was happening. Captain Shilling saw his anguish and came over to him.
“Pretty awful, isn’t it? We dropped in cameras beforehand so we could see firsthand how the vipers performed. It’s not a film you’d want to see a second time.”
Leek nodded. “Yes, I just keep thinking that not too long ago I was one of those soldiers.”
“Yes, we all were.”
“I just wish Videl Lai could have been stopped before he took power so we could have avoided all this bloodshed.”
“Yes. Don’t we all. There have been numerous assassination attempts since he took power, but he’s very smart. He rotates his security force so that no one is there long enough to plot against him.”
“Do we have any intelligence as to where he is right now?”
“We believe he’s in Shisk at the Chancellor’s Mansion. It’s very secure and he has a command center deep underground.”
“Does he ever leave home?”
“Yes, to go to the Capitol Building and he has a ranch in Merria.”
“If you find out at any time that he’s left his mansion, let me know. I want to personally see that he suffers for his crimes.”
“I know that you as much as anyone have been one of Videl’s victims, but don’t let your anger and longing for vengeance make you forget what this war is all about.”
Leek winced at Captain’s Shilling’s warning. “Do you think I could do that?” he replied angrily. “Do you think I’m anything like Videl Lai?”
Captain Shilling nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid we’re all capable of evil. It’s part of human nature. You must be on your guard every moment. It can consume you without you even realizing it. Your mission should be only to bring Videl to justice. Let the councilors do the job of passing judgement.”
Leek looked at Captain Shilling. He felt like he’d just been chewed out by his mother. “Okay. You’re right, but if the squit gives me good cause, I’ll melt his insides with my laser.”
Captain Shilling gave Leek an exasperated look and then walked away. Leek looked back up at the quiet screen—still no movement. Suddenly a viper attacked the camera. Leek jumped back and someone near him shrieked. The screen went black. Leek swallowed hard and looked at Major Oakril who’d just returned.
He sighed. “Anything new to report?”
“We’ve disabled all the active vipers and the 3rd Army is on the move.”
“How’s it looking?”
“There’s only been token resistance, so far.”
“Good. How is the 1st Army doing?”
“There’s been heavy fighting reported but the TGA is reportedly retreating.”
“That’s good news. Everything seems to be going as planned.”
Major Oakril nodded. “Pretty much, but I’m sure General Bratfort isn’t ready to surrender. He’s an astute tactician and he won’t be defeated easily.”
“I’m certain that is true, so if you see anything unusual I want to be notified immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Major Oakril replied.
Leek monitored the battles raging all over Tarizon very closely for the rest of the day. Nothing unanticipated had happened but he knew it would sooner or later. That night when he went to bed he thought of Threebeard and was able to see a brief visual of the day’s activity on the northern front. Threebeard seemed content with the progress of the offensive, but he too warned that the tide could turn quickly and vigilance was the key to final victory.
When Leek did go to sleep his dreams turned unexpectedly to outer space. A hazy image of a spaceship filled his mind’s eye. It was silver and black and shaped like an arrowhead. Occasionally a squadron of fighters would emerge from a hangar bay and fly out in space. He was watching it from behind and in the distance he saw a familiar sight—Earth. He awoke with a start. Rhin opened her eyes and looked over at him.
Leek sighed. “Sorry, girl. Go back to sleep. It was just a bad dream.”
Rhin yawned and put her head back down. Leek wondered what the dream meant, if anything. His dreams often did have meaning and he was anxious to figure out what it was. Would he be returning to Earth? If so, wouldn’t he be taking a shuttle? The ship in his dream was a war vessel and he was behind it as if following it or in pursuit.
The next morning when he got to the command center he described the ship to Captain Shilling and asked her if she’d ever seen anything like it.
“Yes, that’s a Tarizonian attack cruiser. There are only a few of them and they’ve never been used in battle.”
“Why were they built?”
“Videl and his Purist Party believed the repopulation pact with Earth would fail and that eventually we would have to forcibly establish a colony on Earth. We had to have a hospitable place for propagating and raising healthy children for transport back to Tarizon. He convinced the World Assembly to build the ships just in case the treaty with Earth didn’t work out. Ships like that take a long time to build so the Assembly went along with their construction as a precaution and a way to get his support for the repopulation project.”
“I see. That makes sense. If Videl intends to kill all non-human life forms along with the mutants and seafolken, then he needs to be able to replenish the supply of purebred stock. Now that the treaty has been broken he’ll probably send the warships back to establish a colony.”
“Exactly, but this time he won’t ask for permission.”
“Where are the attack cruisers stationed?” Leek asked.
“On Clarion, the largest of Tarizon’s moons. There’s a base there where the ships are built and tested.”
“How many deep space fighters does the TGA have?”
“Several thousand, I’m sure. ”
“Are they on Clarion as well?”
“Yes.”
“So, even if we win the war on Tarizon, Videl will likely escape into space.”
“I think you’re right. That’s what I’d do if I were him. It would be many cycles before we could build an attack cruiser to pursue him.”
“We must work on a strategy to prevent his escape. I don’t want him going to Earth and waging war there.”
“I agree. Let me give it some thought. Perhaps there is a way we can get control of the base on Clarion.”
“Do that. We must keep him on Tarizon so we can capture him and make him stand trial for his crimes.”
Captain Shilling nodded and left to do a broadcast on the Liberation Network. Leek was sick at the thought of Videl Lai escaping to Earth. He had to find him so he could prevent that from happening. There was no way he was going to let someone from Tarizon attack Earth. He thought of thousands of vipers falling on Dallas or New York City. Although some technology had been given to the U.S. military, he was sure it was old and obsolete by Tarizon’s standards. They certainly wouldn’t have anything that could touch a hovertank, and he was sure they didn’t have soldiers with telekinetic abilities like the seafolken or the rhutz. Leek’s resolve to find and capture Videl Lai intensified the more he thought about the consequences of his escape into space. He had to capture or kill him. Ther
e was simply no other choice.
25
The Battle for Synclare
While the battle for Lemaine Shane waged on for several intervals Tam’s 5th army grew stronger and stronger. John was promoted to colonel and put in charge of creating and building the 5th Airborne Division. It was started with the reassignment of one wing of the 3rd Army’s 1st Airborne Division. With the production of new fighters at full throttle and defectors showing up each day at Gallion, the loss of the 2nd Wing’s five hundred fighters was hardly noticed. Yet it was a fine nucleus from which to build the 5th Airborne Division.
Tam knew that sooner or later his army was going to have to come out of hiding and stake a claim to a portion of Turvin. He knew once he did this the TGA would launch an all-out assault to destroy his army. Still, he believed he had a majority of the population behind him and that once the 5th Army came out in the open there would be an outpouring of support for the Loyalist cause. The question was where to strike and when.
There was Tuht to the north, but its long seacoast would make it easy for the TGA to launch an attack. Obviously they couldn’t attack Soni to the south, because Shisk was the world capital and its defenses were too formidable—particularly since the attack on Pritzka Prison. Rour to the southeast was a possibility but it too had a long seacoast. This left Synclare.
Synclare and Soni for centuries had been enemies and there had been many wars waged between them. In the last war, before the ratification of the Supreme Mandate, Synclare had been victorious and laid claim to a narrow strip of land between Tuht and Soni that gave it access to the Straits of Tributon and both the Coral and the North Seas. It was called the Tazi Strip after the port city of Tazi that was situated on its entrance from the sea. Tam knew that the people of Synclare hated Videl Lai and would stand behind the 5th Army if it decided to lay claim to it. In fact, most of army had been recruited in Synclare.
Synclare’s mountainous terrain and heavy forests would also make it harder for the TGA to launch an all-out attack and would be much easier for the Loyalist forces to defend. Also, being in the center of the continent would allow expansion in any direction if they grew in strength as he expected they would. So the decision was made to attack Synclare’s capital city of Roshaunda and declare Synclare the first Loyalist state on the continent of Turvin. On the eve of the attack Tam, John, Colonel Belmoht, and Riddle the rhutz met to go over their attack plan one last time.
“Just before dawn, two platoons from the 2nd Division will secure the Cathedral Street and Capitol Street entrances to the dome,” Tam explained. “Each will have a rhutz with them to act as a scout and handle any police copters that might be called in. As soon as those entrances are secured the rest of the division will enter the dome and surround the Capitol Building. When the perimeter of the Capitol Building has been secured the 5th Airborne and 73rd and 89th Infantry Divisions will launch their attacks on the Sheelee Army Base south of the city.
“There are six entrances to the dome. The 37th Division will secure the three northern entrances. I’ll enter the city with a platoon from 37th Division and go to the government’s communications center. Two other platoons will surround the police station. When the attack begins outside the city we’ll move in on the capitol building, the communications center, and police station. Now there are seventeen police substations that we’ll have to deal with as well but we’ll talk about those later,” Tam concluded.
“Is there any indication that the TGA knows that something is in the works?” John asked.
Tam shook his head. “I don’t think so. We’ve intentionally stayed away from Synclare so as not to alert the TGA there. The rhutz have been doing all our surveillance, and seeing a rhutz in these parts is pretty common.”
“So, once we secure our targets, what next?” Colonel Belmoht asked.
“Then I go on the VC and the radio and welcome the citizens of Roshaunda as a new Loyalist state. Of course, we’ll still have to secure the other eleven major cities in the state. Fortunately, the TGA has very little presence north of Roshaunda, so I don’t think they’ll put up more than token resistance.”
“Very well, sir,” John said. “If we’re done, I’ve got a lot of work to do to get ready for tomorrow’s assault.”
“Yes, you’re right. The time for talk is over. Now we must act to bring Synclare into the Loyalists’ ranks!”
They all stood, shook hands and embraced. “May God and Sandee be with you!” Tam said as he escorted them to the door.
That night Tam connected with Leek’s mind and conveyed the day’s events and plans for the attack.
“Good luck to you my friend; I feel certain you will be successful. I’ve contacted the nanomites and they will be ready when you get to the Capitol Building.”
“How is your campaign coming?” Tam thought. He’d heard the official reports that the Loyalists had driven the TGA out of Rigimol and Tributon, but that was propaganda. He wanted to know the truth.
“The campaign has stalled along the Rini River where it all began. The TGA has almost two million men in Quori so it’s going to be hard to root them out.”
“What about the super vipers?”
“They’ve developed defenses against them just as we did. They’re no longer all that effective.”
“Well, perhaps if we’re successful here in Synclare Videl Lai will feel compelled to pull some of his forces out of Quori.”
“Yes, that would be a welcome result of your victory. Good luck to you. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do for you?”
“Well, I wish I had my special ops team and maybe a little of Threebeard’s computer magic. I’m a little worried about getting bogged down at the entrances to the dome.”
Leek sighed. “Yes, well I’m afraid the TGA has tightened their security and I’d be hard pressed to get the special ops team to you by morning.”
“I know. Just wishful thinking.”
“Don’t worry. As they say on Earth, I think you’re gonna kick their ass.”
Tam laughed. “I hope you’re right.”
Tam broke off the connection and turned over to try to sleep. It didn’t come easily but eventually he dozed off. When his alarm clock buzzed two kyloons later he woke up with a start. The enormity of the day hit him like a rock. For the first time he felt the real pressure of command. Today there could be no mistakes, no excuses; everything had to go as planned or the consequences would be devastating. He took a deep breath and began doing push-ups to clear his head and get his blood circulating.
After a quick breakfast and a cup of sankee he put on his uniform and then put a peasant’s cloak over it. The plan was to approach the dome entrances as farmers taking their wares to market. Once they got inside the dome they’d take out the guards and open the gate to the rest of the army waiting in the woods not too far away.
Black squadron was assigned the task of taking control of the Cathedral entrance to the dome. Their name came from their black robes they used to disguise themselves as clergy traveling to the Dothi Cathedral situated just inside the city. The entrance was at the end of a long bridge that spanned the Sheelee River. When the platoon arrived at the gate, however, they were stopped. Tam watched nervously from across the road amongst a group of farmers he’d joined.
“Who are you?” the TGA guard asked suspiciously. “I wasn’t notified of any clergy visiting the Cathedral today.”
“And, why should you be?” the platoon leader said indignantly. “The last time I heard, Synclare was a free state.”
The guard laughed. “Don’t they let you watch the VC? Videl Lai is Chancellor now. Things have changed.”
“Well, one thing hasn’t changed,” the platoon leader said.
“What’s that?” the guard asked cautiously.
“The Abbot is still a good friend of Chancellor Lai. If he learns the monks he su
mmoned to help finish the new chapel were delayed by an overzealous guard, he’ll be very upset. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t make a call to the Chancellor to complain.”
The guard frowned and looked around nervously. “Okay. Let me just call the rectory and verify that they are expecting you. It will only take a few tiks.”
The platoon leader sighed and looked over at Tam. The guard picked up the communicator. Suddenly a rhutz stepped out in the open, and reaching with his mind, ripped out several wires within the device. The guard frantically pushed buttons trying to get it to work. He frowned and looked at the platoon leader.
“Well, I guess it’s your lucky day. My communicator’s not working. Go ahead on in, but go straight to the Cathedral. I’m going to call over there just as soon as I can get my communicator working again. All of you better be there.”
“We’ll be there,” the platoon leader assured him.
Once the members of Black squadron were spread out along the entire entrance to the dome they attacked the guards and quickly subdued them. The rhutz and the rest of the 2nd Division then left their hiding places and crossed the bridge. As they approached the entrance to the dome they heard fighters flying overhead and cluster bombs falling and exploding on the TGA air base to the southeast. After they’d made it inside the dome, they walked swiftly along the southwest perimeter of the city through the elite sector of Roshaunda where government officials, business owners, and professionals lived. People on the street gave them a hard look as they went by, but nobody challenged them or sounded an alarm. Most seemed just curious as to who they were and why they were in Roshaunda.
They heard gunfire and saw laser flashes behind them but there was no turning back now. When they got to the perimeter of the Capitol Building, six TGA soldiers confronted them but were easily taken out with lasers. Tam, one of the rhutz, and a squadron of soldiers separated from the division and headed for the communications center. A police helicopter swept down from out of nowhere and began firing on them. The rhutz stopped and began disassembling the copter’s rudder mechanism. It began spinning faster and faster until it collided with a tree and burst into flames.
The main group continued on to the capitol building which was situated on the top of a hill. It was built like a fortress and appeared to be locked up in anticipation of the assault. To get to it required climbing hundreds of stairs out in the open where they’d be easy prey for snipers. Once they got to the top they would be confronted with a huge, thick steel door that appeared to be impenetrable. Fortunately dozens of Nanomite swarms had been smuggled in a few days earlier to deal with that problem. The platoon leader motioned for the rhutz to lead the charge. Four of them scampered up the steps quickly. There was fire from a second story balcony but the bullets hit the stone steps well behind the rhutz. Now that the snipers had given away their positions the Loyalists soldiers began firing at them allowing a dozen soldiers to make it up the steps to join the rhutz.
Once the platoon leader had made it to the front door he hit it hard three times with the butt of his rifle. A few tiks later there was a groaning sound like a ship being pulled apart in a gale. The platoon leader motioned for his men to stay back. Suddenly the twenty foot door began to collapse as its hinges holding it in place lost their grip. After the dust had cleared Loyalist soldiers poured into the Capitol Building and quickly neutralized the small contingent of TGA soldiers inside.
When Tam and his squadron made it to the communications center two police pursuit vehicles were just pulling up. They bravely jumped out and confronted the soldiers but before they could shoot, the rhutz had them on the ground and were ripping them to pieces. Tam rushed by and entered the building. The receptionist stood up and backed away. Tam went over to her.
“We mean you no harm. Where is the government broadcasting studio?”
“Seventh floor,” she replied.
Tam nodded and rushed to the elevator. The two rhutz remained on the first floor to keep a lookout. The receptionist watched them warily—terrified they’d attack her if she moved. On the seventh floor Tam and his squad found the government communications center and burst in the front door. They nearly tripped over two TGA soldiers bound and gagged on the floor. A young woman motioned to them to follow her.
“We heard you were coming so we thought we’d help out. The soldiers were here to destroy the broadcast studio. We couldn’t let them do that.”
“Thank you. That would have been a disaster. How did you overpower them?”
“I hit one over the head with a brass statue and my friend used a flowerpot.”
“Where’s your friend?”
“Guarding the studio to make sure nobody messes with it.”
They rounded a corner and saw another young woman standing nervously in front of a glass door.
“Mellie! They’re here!” the girl yelled.
“Thank God!” Mellie replied and opened the door so Tam could go inside. He rushed in with his squad behind him.
“Is anybody in here?” Tam asked.
“No. Everyone left when they heard the building was under siege,” Mellie replied.
“Why do you two want to help us?”
“We’re part of the Synclare cell. Captain Shilling told us you might need our help. We can show you how to use the equipment.”
“Good. I want to address the entire nation. Can we do that?”
“Yes. There’s a prerecorded program playing right now, but we can interrupt it.”
“Okay. Get it all set up and I’ll tell you when I’m ready to go on the air. I need to check in with the other divisions first to be sure the operation is going as planned.”
Tam got the GC and hailed John.
“5th Airborne, report,” Tam asked.
“5th Airborne, eighty percent of mission accomplished. Two more runs ought to do it.”
“73rd Infantry, report!”
“Yes, sir. We’ve taken the tower and set the fuel tanks on fire. We’re heading for base headquarters now but are taking heavy fire.”
“Keep the pressure on. You need to take the headquarters building.”
“Yes, sir. Will, do.”
“Black squadron, report!”
“Black squadron here. We’ve secured the Capitol Building, and the TGA has fled. Everyone left here is friendly.”
“Good. I’m going to make my broadcast then.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll make sure everyone turns on their VC.”
Tam turned to Mellie. “Okay, are you ready?”
“Yes, Commander,” Mellie said. “Just take a seat and put on this headset.”
Tam did as he was told and the green light on the camera came on.
“Citizens of Synclare. This is Commander General Tamurus Lavendar, Commander of the 5th Loyalist Army, speaking to you from the Government Communications Center in Roshaunda. Today is a momentous day for Synclare and for Tarizon. This morning we have launched an attack on the TGA military base at Sheelee as well as the main government offices in Roshaunda. I’m pleased to announce our mission has been accomplished and we now control the Synclare government and are in the process of driving out the TGA.
“What this means for the citizens of Synclare is that freedom and justice under the Supreme Mandate have finally been restored to this great state. Slavery is abolished and all life forms shall enjoy the same rights and privileges as human beings.
“Soon you’ll be seeing divisions of the 5th Army beginning to occupy all regions of Synclare. In the meantime, any intelligence you can provide us as to TGA positions and armaments will be invaluable to us and hasten the day that you will be rid of Videl Lai and the beasts that support him.
“For those who have assisted in the invasion I thank you for your support and my friend, known to you as the Liberator, Commander General Leek Lanzia, sends his thanks and best wishes to you all. We pledge to you that, from here on out, we will do all that we can to defend Synclare from the tyranny of Videl Lai. Any of you
who are willing and able to fight are urged to join the Loyalist Army, for we still have a lot of work to do to free Tuht, Merria and the other nations of Turvin. The war is far from over but today we’ve taken a dramatic step forward. Good day and may God and Sandee be with you.”
26
Naming the Baby
It was some time before Leek was able to get away from his duties as Commander of the 3rd Army and visit his newly born brother and son in Shini. Tehra had graciously taken the newborn child in and treated it like her own. It was like having twins, she told her friends, since they were born less than six segments apart. Leek had hired a nanny to assist Tehra and they had everything they could possibly need to ease the burden of caring for two infants. Lorin and Colonel Tomel were regular visitors, relishing every moment they had with the babies and giving Tehra much comfort and support.
The question of a name for the baby came up often but Tehra insisted that it was Leek’s responsibility and she’d leave that to him. Leek was nervous as he drove up to Tehra’s compartment. The thought that he was now a father had scarcely crossed his mind as his responsibilities as Commander of the 3rd Army gave him little time to think of personal matters. Today, though, he had no choice but to consider the fact that he was a father and now had a child to rear. The thought of that overwhelmed him. What did he know about raising a child and how could he do it without Luci?
When he reached the building’s security panel he hesitated. Finally, he raised his hand and placed it on the scanning panel. Inside her compartment a chime rang and Commander Leek Lanzia’s presence at the door was advised. Tehra handed her baby to Ginger, the nanny and rushed to the door. She opened it with a broad smile and they embraced.
“Commander. You finally made it. It’s so good to see you.”
“Yes, I’m sorry it’s been so long. I know I placed a tremendous burden on you. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Nonsense. Your son is a delight and all your support and assistance has been a godsend.”
“Well, good. I’m glad to hear he hasn’t been a burden. Can I see him?”
“Yes, I think he needs his diaper changed.”
Leek gave Tehra a startled look. “Just kidding. Your nanny just changed him.”
Leek laughed with relief. “Oh, the nanny. How is she working out?”
“Wonderful. She’s a big help and great company. I don’t know what I’d do without her. . . . Your baby’s in here.”
Tehra led Leek into the nursery and stood proudly over the baby’s crib. Leek went over to it and looked down into his son’s blue eyes.
“He’s a lot bigger than when I first saw him.”
“Well, they grow fast if you feed them right. I don’t think poor Luci got a very good diet during the last of her pregnancy, so you’re lucky he’s as healthy as he is.”
“He is healthy then?” Leek inquired.
“Oh, yes. The medic said while the baby is in the womb it takes whatever nutrients it needs from its mother, and it’s the mother who is wanting if there aren’t enough for both. That’s why Luci looked so poorly when you found her.”
“That and the poison.”
“Oh, yes. The poison. How ghastly that must have been for you.”
“My mind has repressed the image, but I still often dream of the moment.”
Tehra took Leek’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved Luci.”
Leek forced a smile. “Can I hold him?”
“Of course, silly. It’s your baby.”
Leek picked up the baby and he began to cry. Leek looked at Tehra, horrified.
“Just rock him a bit and show him you love him.”
Leek began rocking the baby and smiling at him. Soon he quieted down and a contented look came over his face.
“See, he likes you.”
“You think so?”
“Of course he’d like you better if you gave him a name. I’m so tired of people wanting to know his name and not having an answer.”
“Oh, a name. I’m sorry. I should have come up with something sooner, but—”
“I know. You were busy saving the planet. I understand, but now you need to give the poor child a name.”
Leek took a deep breath and exhaled. “Hmm. Should I give him an Earth name or come up with something more common on Tarizon?”
“Probably a combination of both since he has dual citizenship.”
“Right. I could name him after my father, Stanley.”
Tehra raised her eyebrow. “That would be nice. Do you know Luci’s father’s name? That would be a nice tribute to her to give him part of her father’s name.”
“Tokin. His first name was Tokin.”
“That means peace,” Lucinda said. “Tokin Stanley Lanzia—do you like that?”
“I don’t know. It sounds kinda awkward.”
“How about Tokin Leek Lanzia?”
“No. I think every child should have his own unique name.”
“Okay.”
“After all, he’s such a miracle child.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, conceiving him was the last thing I ever imagined would happen to me after I was abducted to Tarizon. Then I thought he’d be raised by Luci and her mate and I’d never see him again. Luci getting unmated—that almost never happens on Tarizon. The kidnaping and Lucinda’s being tortured and starved to death . . . yet somehow he survived and I was able to rescue him. The fact that he is in my arms right now is only after a long string of miracles. So, I think God wanted me to have him, so his middle name ought to be something holy. Perhaps his middle name should be Sandee, for only by the will of God and Sandee is he alive today.”
“So, Tokin Sandee Lanzia is your choice?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Tehra smiled and looked at Tokin. “I like it. Tokin. It has a nice ring to it.”
“And his best friend will be Sophilo. He’ll be like Tam is to me. I hope they’ll both be telepathic so they’ll always be connected.”
“Can’t you test them right now and find out?” Tehra asked.
“No, that ability doesn’t come until they’re five or six cycles old.”
“Oh. Then we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Leek stayed with Tehra and the boys for three days before he had to go back to his Doral Mountains headquarters. He hated to leave. He’d become very attached to both of them and Tehra as well. Tehra was a few cycles older than Leek but he couldn’t help but feel an attraction to her. He understood how his father had fallen in love with her and let her seduce him. He didn’t blame Tehra for what she had done. He knew that on Tarizon the highest priority for any woman was to get pregnant. The survival of the human race depended on it.
Being responsible for two infants gave Leek a new perspective on the war. He hated the fact that he couldn’t put a stop to it immediately. The cost of it was just too high. He thought of all the soldiers who’d already died and the millions of children who’d lost their fathers. This war was an abomination. It made the whole Tarizon repopulation project a joke. He was sure more people had died in this civil war than had been conceived on Earth and brought back to Tarizon under the repopulation project. He felt frustrated and helpless.
While he was in Shini, Leek met many times with Lorin and the command staff to discuss strategy and to set goals and objectives. After the last meeting he and Lorin had dinner at the Chancellor’s Mansion. He’d never been there before so Lorin gave him the grand tour. They strolled into a large bedroom decorated in a lavish, intricate decor.
“This is French, isn’t it?” Leek asked.
“Yes. The Chancellor was an Earthchild and he had several rooms decorated in popular Earth styles. Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s gorgeous. The French really know how to enjoy life.”
“Really? What do they do differently
than anyone else?” Lorin asked.
“They didn’t worry about every little thing. They relaxed a lot, drank too much, ate voraciously and spent a lot of time in bed with their mates.”
Lorin laughed. “Sounds like a good philosophy. Now I understand why they made their bedrooms so lavish.”
Leek thought of Jake and how sad it was he couldn’t be there to enjoy all this luxury with Lorin. Lorin saw the sadness in his eyes and took his hand.
“What’s wrong?”
Leek forced a smile. “I’m so proud of you, Lorin. You finally realized your dream.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “Yes, it is wonderful but I feel so alone now. There’s nobody to talk to. Jake and my father are gone and you’re so far away.”
“True. But we’ve got the GC. You can call me anytime.”
“Yes, but we’re both so busy. I wish I was telepathic so our minds could connect. You and Tam are so lucky to be able to do that.”
“Why don’t you apply for a mate?”
Lorin’s mouth dropped.
“A mate? Are you kidding? I don’t believe in computer mating.”
“You don’t? But, I thought everyone was mated by computer on Tarizon.”
“Not me. I wouldn’t stand for it. When Jake and I fell in love my father arranged for us to be mated.”
“So, are you going to change the system now that you are Chancellor?”
“Not just yet. It does have one enormous advantage.”
“What’s that?”
“When a soldier dies and leaves a widow she can immediately apply for a new mate so the family unit can be restored quickly.”
Leek raised an eyebrow.
“So, I’ll wait for the killing to stop before I suggest to the Assembly that we abolish computer mating.”
“Okay. So, is there anyone out there you could fall in love with?” Leek asked.
Lorin took a deep breath, giving Leek a penetrating stare. “Just one,” she said softly.
Leek frowned, wondering who she was talking about. He was dying to ask her but then thought better of it.
“Well, I’m serious. Call me anytime. When do you go to bed at night?”
“Late. Rarely before midnight.”
“That’s about when I go to bed too. Why don’t I call you every night. We can talk, but not about the war or politics. We’ll talk about what mates talk about. You’ll have to help me out though, Luci and I never got a chance to spend much time together.”
“Nor did Jake and I. We were always going in different directions.”
“Well, it will be a new experience for both of us.”
Lorin nodded, already feeling excited about the prospect of a nightly chat. She smiled and led Leek into a small dining room where a lavish dinner was waiting. A waiter helped them get seated and then asked if they’d like some wine.
“Wine. Do you drink wine on Tarizon?” Leek asked.
“No,” Lorin admitted. “This came from the experimental agriculture station, but I thought you might like it.”
“I’ve actually never had wine. Well, except altar wine at communion.”
“Never had wine? But I thought wine was popular on Earth.”
“It is for adults, but I wasn’t old enough to drink when I left Earth and my parents didn’t allow experimentation.”
“Well then, this will be a new experience for both of us.”
They lifted their glasses and then took a drink. Leek shook his head. “Not bad. What do you think?”
“Very good. I could get used to drinking this. It’s much sweeter than tekari.”
They ate and drank for a long time, enjoying each other’s company. When the bottle was empty they got another one and were a little drunk when Leek’s driver rang the doorbell to advise them it was time to take Leek to the airport. Reluctantly, Leek got his things together and went to the door to leave.
“Do you really have to go?” Lorin complained.
“Well, you know my boss, the Chancellor. She’s one tough lady. She’d give me hell if I was derelict in my duties.”
“You’re right,” Lorin moaned. “She’d have to convene a court-martial.”
“So, I best go.”
She took a step and nearly stumbled. Leek caught her arm and steadied her. She put one hand on the doorjamb and regained her balance.
“Don’t forget you promised to call every night,” Lorin reminded him.
“I won’t. I’ll talk to you tomorrow at midnight.”
“And every night. Just like mates.”
“Every night,” Leek assured her then turned and left.
On his way to the airport he marveled at his evening with Lorin. He had never seen her soft feminine side. She’d always had a tough, impenetrable exterior, but tonight she’d turned it off and let Leek in for the first time. It was like being with another woman. He thought maybe it was the wine, but she had let down her guard even before they’d started drinking. He didn’t know what it meant, but he was glad he’d be talking to Lorin on a regular basis so he could figure it out.