Chapter 110 (1/2)
Ajax
On the bridge Colonel Young stood looking over the holographic information display table currently set to show him the battle far below. The speed of violence the 3rd ACR delivered had surprised him. At this rate the enemy couldn't hope to hold out another handful of days.
”Colonel I'm picking up traffic on the Zulu frequency. The Genii commander wishes to surrender” stated the communications officer.
”You don't say? Relay that message to Colonel Stone and his men now. Also contact the control jumper and have them put out a warning order” instructed Young.
Entering the bridge was Ambassador Dorin, making his way swiftly to Young's side. The Ambassador's normally calm facial features seemed clouded by something. Looking intently at the Furling the Colonel knew what it was immediately; rage.
”Colonel, if possible I need a few moments of your time” began Dorin.
”You have my full and undivided attention Ambassador” replied Young.
”Time does not permit me to go into great detail but I have a number of requests for you and your people's forces” said Dorin.
”I am more than willing to do anything in my power to assist you Ambassador” replied Young warily.
”Withdraw your aircraft to a safe distance and transport any men you have on the ground within twenty miles of the capital back aboard this ship” requested Dorin.
”May I be so bold as to ask why” asked Young.
”If you don't do as I ask the civilians of Dagan could very well perish. As I stated I do not have time to explain in full. I ask you as your ally and as your friend to please withdraw your aircraft to a safe distance of not less than fifty miles from the capital and return any in close proximity to said city aboard this vessel” briskly stated Dorin.
”Communications please instruct all 302's in the air to maintain a minimum distance of fifty miles from the Daganian capital. Sensor officer please begin beaming any of our people up here that are near the city. Get a message to the fleet and tell them we're acting on request from the Furling Ambassador” stated Young.
”Thank you Everett. Do not fear, I will deal with what comes next” said Dorin.
Turning to respond to the Ambassador the Colonel began to answer when he noted that Dorin was no longer on the bridge.
Brotherhood of the Fifteen compound
In the open courtyard of the compound the lay the beating heart of the overall command structure of Genii forces. Since the Lantean's first major push with ground forces the situation had grown continually worse hour by hour. Large armored units pounced to the south, in the north small bands of infantry in unknown numbers launched vicious guerilla style attacks, and the never ending stream of attacks from the air intensified. Many thought but none verbalized the fact that at the current tempo of events Genii forces couldn't hope to last out the week.
Standing near the radio receivers Davos listened as frantic calls came in from units located on all points of the compass. With his reserves already committed little could be done except to order all units to hold out as long as they could. Earlier attempts to stage strategic retreats closer to the capital had ended in disaster thanks to Lantean air power. None of this is supposed to be happening like this thought Davos while running a hand through his hair.
”And how else did you think it would happen” asked Dorin.
Seeing an intruder in their midst Davos bolted upright, while drawing his pistol and leveling it at the man who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Quickly forming ranks and leveling their weapons alongside their commander was Davos's security team.
”Your first mistake in coming here was the thinking you would be allowed to live long enough to attempt escape” snarled Davos while firing twice at Dorin.
Firing twice at the intruder Davos smiled for a brief moment, until he realized the man was not only still standing but not wounded as well.
”It would behoove you to cease your foolish notion that weapons fire will in any way effect the outcome of this meeting” said Dorin with a wry grin.
”Fire you fools fire” yelled Davos.
On command his security team emptied their automatic weapons on the intruder. Instead of bringing their target to his knee's instead several staff members to his rear were cut down.
”Your weapons have no effect on me. If I were you I would not fire in my direction again or things will go very badly from here” warned Dorin.
Covering the five steps between himself and the intruder Davos leveled his pistol at Dorin's head and squeezed the trigger. The effect was not what Davos had hoped it would be. Instantly Dorin's face clouded with anger as his eyes began to burn intently with a cold and deadly rage.
”Very well, if it's badly you seek then badly you shall get” hissed Dorin.
At that moment hurricane force winds tore through the command tent, sending it flying across the courtyard. Men, women, and equipment were thrown about as if weightless. Dark angry cloud fronts converged in a handful of seconds over the courtyard and extended into the distance. Lightning ripped through the sky, with bolts crashing down in the courtyard followed by explosively loud bouts of thunder. Two funnel clouds swirled towards the compound but didn't touch down, instead hanging in the air menacingly.
”I require your immediate surrender” clearly stated Dorin.
”Surrender to you? Never! Who are you to think the Genii would ever bow to some unknown ingrate such as yourself? I demand to know who you are” yelled Davos in return.