Tarizon, Civil War, Tarizon Trilogy Vol 2 Page 4

 

   

   

   

  8

  Summoning the Seafolken

   

  In order to keep in constant contact with the nanomites while the war was being waged, Leek had decided he needed to have a nanomite swarm close at hand. While they were moving the swarms to a safe haven he had recalled Colonel Tomel’s recount of the Nanomite Wars and how formidable an adversary they turned out to be. He also remembered their offer of support in Shisk when he first came to Tarizon. So, he asked through his thoughts if some of them would be willing to come to his headquarters to coordinate the nanomite participation in the war.

  “Alo of the nanomites once offered his help in fighting Videl Lai. Is that offer still open?”

  “Alo spoke for all of us and as long as Videl Lai walks on Tarizon, we are at your command.”

  “Then I’ll need some of you to accompany me to my new headquarters so I can keep in constant communication with you.”

  “We’ve anticipated your request and have selected one hundred swarms to go with you. They will be our delegation to the Loyalist government.”

  “Excellent. How will I transport your swarms?”

  “The elected ones will gather in one of the mounds. You can carry it in one of the transport crates.”

  “How about air pressure? Is it all right to fly you to our base?”

  “Yes, we’re not that fragile. The only real danger to us is if we get too wet. Nanomites need air and we don’t swim.”

  “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Leek, Sgt. Hawkh, and the old man found the transport crate and loaded it on the bed of the truck. Then they gathered their things and drove back to the farm. In the distance they saw Tam and Red’s fighters waiting for them. As they neared the makeshift runway, Tam and Red got out of their planes and came to greet them. They embraced and exchanged pleasantries, but with the TGA expected anytime they didn’t delay in loading their cargo and getting underway.

  Since the T-47s accommodated only one pilot Leek, Sgt. Hawkh, and the nanomites had to fly in the cargo hold. As Leek sat cramped in the small compartment he thought of Tam and how much he had hated it when he had to ride there after his rescue from Pegaport.

  Eventually he felt the fighter touch down. When Tam opened the door to the cargo hold Leek heard the sound of heavy rain. Panic struck him. “The nanomites can’t get wet! Tell Red to keep the door to the cargo hold closed until we can get something to cover the crate when we take it out.”

  Tam nodded and ran over to Red’s fighter. After a few moments of scratching their heads they pulled the big camouflage net out and used the bag it was kept in to cover the nanomites’ crate. Then they carried it carefully down to the Earth Shuttle 26 and loaded it aboard.

   Captain Shilling met them in the room she had made ready for her visitors. “Captain Lanzia, I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard some impressive things about you from Tam, Red and . . . well . . . other admirers.”

  Leek blushed. “Well, I’ve survived so far, but I don’t know about tomorrow.”

  “So, you’re a realist. That’s good.”

  Tam introduced the captain to Sgt. Hawkh and told her about how the sergeant had been assigned to keep Leek out of danger.

  “Well, you’ve done well. It would have been a great blow had we lost Captain Lanzia. I wonder if you’re up to a new assignment, Lieutenant.”

  “Lieutenant?” Sgt. Hawkh questioned.

  “Yes, you’ll need to be an officer for the task I have for you.”

  “Of course. I’m at your disposal.”

  “Good. The remnants of the 3rd Army are scattered all over the Doral Mountains. I need someone to find them and reestablish communications.”

  “Sure, no problem. I’m quite familiar with the 3rd Army and I’m anxious to find out what happened to everybody anyway. When do I start?”

  “First thing in the morning. Get a good night’s sleep and I’ll have a transporter and crew ready for you right after breakfast. We need to get the 3rd Army back in operation just as fast as we can.”

  Captain Shilling called over one of her staff members and told him to escort Lt. Hawkh to his quarters, then turned back to Leek.

  “We’ve got so much to do and so little time. Forgive me if I seem distracted at times.”

  “I quite understand,” Leek said. “These are difficult times. Tam and Red have told me how impressed they are with you and your ship. It’s a pleasure to be aboard.”

  “Thank you. . . . So, I understand you’ve brought me nanomites. That’s wonderful. I’m honored to have nanomites aboard my ship. I just wish I could talk to them and welcome them.”

  “I can do that for you, if you’d like,” Leek said.

  She smiled. “Please do.”

  Leek closed his eyes and tried to see an image of a nanomite in his mind’s eye. When it appeared he conveyed the Captain’s greeting and translated for her.

  “Welcome to Earth Shuttle 26. It’s an honor to have you aboard.”

  “Thank you. It is our distinct pleasure to be aboard such an amazing craft. It is hard to imagine that your ship travels through space to other worlds.”

  “Yes. That is quite amazing. Is there anything I can get you now? Are you comfortable?”

  “We are fine for now. In a few days we will need food. We’ll let you know when that is required.”

  “How are the relocations going? I know Captain Lanzia and Lorin Boskie were helping coordinate things.”

  “Yes, thanks to Captain Lanzia’s warning and with the help of the Loyalist organization throughout Tarizon most of our swarms are safe for now.”

  “Wonderful. Now, promise me you’ll let me know if you need anything?”

  “We promise and thank you for your hospitality.”

  “My pleasure. . . . I’m sorry, but I must leave you now. Captain Lanzia, I’d like to see you in my office at 1800 to give you your orders.”

  Leek saluted. “Yes, Captain. I’ll see you then.”

  Captain Shilling left and Leek said his goodbyes to the nanomites, promising to return each day to check on them. Then he headed for the dining room where he was to meet Tam, Red, and John. On his way memories of his abduction from Earth and trip to Tarizon came flooding back through his mind. He thought of his mother and father and the siblings he’d left back on Earth. What were they doing? Did they miss him? It seemed like a lifetime since he’d come to Tarizon. In the dining hall he found his friends and took a seat.

  “Leek, this is Lt. John Sillmar. He’s a pilot from the 2nd Loyalist Air Force. He was one of the few survivors of the ambush.”

  Leek smiled and they shook hands enthusiastically. “It’s great to meet you.”

  Tam told Leek about the techniques they’d been developing for destroying hovertanks. “So you were able to connect with me through your dreams? That’s pretty handy,” Leek said.

  “I must have, because I didn’t know anything about hovertanks, but you were studying them and trying to figure out their weaknesses. I just took your ideas and experimented with them.”

  “That’s excellent. You’ll be getting a lot more practice here soon when the TGA crosses the Khor River.”

  “Yeah, but what good are three fighters against three thousand?” Red asked dejectedly.

  “You’re right,” Leek replied thoughtfully. “We’ve got to figure out how to get more planes.”

  “The last time I checked,” Red replied, “we didn’t have any aircraft manufacturing facilities operational.”

  “No. We don’t. I was thinking about stealing more planes.”

  “We’re going to walk onto an air force base and steal planes?” Red said, shaking his head.

  “It isn’t like we haven’t done it before.”

  “Right, but that was different.”

  “Not really. This is the same concept, it’s just a bit more complicated,” Leek said. “I have to travel up to Gallion and pick up Lorin.
I’m going to scout out the TGA air force base and the naval yards while I’m there.”

  “May I speak frankly, sir?” John asked.

  Leek laughed. “If you don’t, I’ll see to your court martial.”

  “Good. Your plan seems . . . well . . . insane.”

  Leek shrugged. “I agree it might appear that way, but in my mind I can see it working—quite well actually.”

  “How many planes do you think we could steal?” Tam asked.

  “I don’t know. We need to find out how many pilots we have. That will be the deciding factor.”

  “But the base will be heavily guarded and the planes will have ignition keys and security codes,” Red pointed out. “You can’t just jump into a plane, start the engine and take off. What if they have self-destruction devices?”

  “Those are all legitimate points that we will have to take into consideration. I know it won’t be easy, but I believe it can be done. More importantly, if we don’t do it, I don’t see how we can stop the TGA from taking Rigimol.”

  Red swallowed hard. Tam raised his eyebrows. John said, “You’re probably right about that. So, what can we do to help?”

  “You all need to locate pilots, assemble and train them here, and teach them how to destroy hovertanks. In the meantime, I’m going to be working on our plans for acquiring planes. We’re going to need a lot of help to pull it off, so I’m going to summon the seafolken while I’m near the ocean. It’s about time they got into the fight.”

  “Summon the seafolken?” John repeated with raised eyebrows.

  Leek explained to John how three seafolken generals had come to him in a dream and offered their help. Then he told him about the seafolken rescuing them during the battle of Lortec and escorting their boat out to sea and away from danger.

  “Red and John can get the pilots assembled,” Tam said. “I’d like permission to assemble a special tactical squad of mutant soldiers—soldiers with extraordinary abilities that will be useful to you at Gallion.”

  Leek nodded. “Good idea. Permission granted.”

  After they’d finished dinner Tam decided it was time to relay the message from Tehra. He wasn’t sure how Leek would take the news, so he was a little nervous as he started.

  “Ah. There’s one more thing,” Tam said.

  “What’s that?” Leek asked.

  “Ah. Well. When we first got here to the Earth shuttle we met a guide returning from Earth.”

  “A guide, did she know Luci?”

  “I don’t know. We never asked her, but she did know your father.”

  “What? My father?”

  Tam explained what Tehra had told them about her working with his father and becoming very close. He told him about how his father had helped destroy a TGA Earth shuttle and then hid her and other Loyalists until they could be picked up by Earth Shuttle 26. Leek was thunderstruck.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. This is some kind of joke, right?”

  “No. I don’t think so. Tehra seemed quite sincere. She was going to make sure the brass in Shini knew what your father had done for the Loyalist cause.”

  Leek didn’t know what to say. He just sat there in stunned silence for a few moments. Finally he said, “So Dad and Mom are okay?”

  “Yes, she said your mother had taken your death very badly but when she found out you were alive she recovered quickly. There’s something else too.”

  Leek’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “Ah. We told you Tehra was pregnant, right?”

  “No, you didn’t mention that.”

  “Well, you know that’s why women go to Earth.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  “Well, ah . . . it turns out that . . . ah . . . well, how should I say it?”

  Leek laughed. “Just spit it out. I’m dying of suspense.”

  “Well, pretty soon you’re going to have a brother on Tarizon.”

  “Huh?” Leek said, not seeming to comprehend what Tam had said. “A brother? What are you talking about?”

  Suddenly Leek understood the implications of Tam’s words. “That’s not possible,” he said angrily. “My father would never betray my mother.”

  “I got the impression from Tehra that she kind of tricked your father into it. You know how those seafolken women can be.”

  “She was a seafolken?”

  “Well, part seafolken. I’m not sure how much.”

  “Oh, my God. I’m going to have family on Tarizon. That’s incredible. When is she due? I’ll have to go to Shini for the delivery!”

  Leek was on the verge of tears. Tam and Red just looked at him in astonishment. They hadn’t expected him to be so happy about Tehra’s pregnancy. Sensing their feelings, Leek said, “You don’t know how lonely it’s been here for me. The idea that I’ll have a real family again is—.” He turned away, trying to regain his composure.

  “Yeah. It’s good to have family,” Red said. “I’d feel the same way.”

  Leek turned back, wiped a tear from his eye, and sighed. “Yeah. Hey. I’ll see you guys tomorrow before I leave, okay?”

  “Sure,” Red replied.

  “Oh. Where’s Rhin? Have you seen her?”

  “I saw her run off into the woods earlier,” Tam said. “I haven’t seen her since.”

  “Too bad. I could have used the company.”

  They nodded and Leek left to go to the quarters that had been assigned to him. It was compact but had all the amenities that he needed including a bed, shower, closet, entertainment center and computer. He even had his own GC with a monitor so he could see who he was talking to.

  Leek lay down on his bunk and thought about Tehra and his new brother. He wanted to spend time with him since his father obviously wouldn’t be able to do it. He knew it was particularly important when a child was very young to bond with a male. Those were the formative cycles that would determine his character and ambition.

  He wondered what kind of a mother Tehra would be and how she’d feel about him. Then it struck him that Tehra would probably have a mate who’d act as her baby’s new father. Leek didn’t know how he felt about that. He didn’t know if he wanted to share his brother with another man. Finally, he thought of Luci. How would she feel about Leek’s new brother? She’d love him, he was sure. She’d be happy to learn that Leek would have a blood relative on Tarizon. She’d be happy about anything that made Leek happy. He was sure of that.

  Leek’s thoughts turned to Luci’s desperate circumstances. He hadn’t even begun to plan her rescue. Fate was coming at him so fast he hadn’t had time to even think about it. His immediate goal was stopping the TGA before they took over all of Lemaine Shane. If that happened the civil war would be over and Videl Lai wouldn’t have any reason to keep her alive. He had to figure out a way to stop the TGA advance. There was no other option!

   

   

   

  Luci heard voices outside her door. She looked a the clock on the console beside her bed—2351. It was late, kyloons past dinner. She recognized Videl Lai’s voice and her stomach twisted. Why would he be coming so late at night. Was he here to rape me?. She realized the other voice was Lt. Muri. That made her feel better Lt. Muri wouldn’t let him hurt her.

  “Don’t talk to her tonight. Wait until morning when you are sober,” Lt. Muri urged.

  “No. She should hear the good news tonight.”

  Videl Lai fumbled with the lock and finally managed to get the door open. He stumbled in with Lt. Muri standing in the doorway looking on disapprovingly. Luci just stared at the Chancellor in horror.

  “Nothing to be alarmed about, my dear!” Videl said with a smile. “Just wanted to let you know the latest news from the war front.”

  Luci didn’t say anything.

  “You would be interested in the report, I’m sure. Your mate was spotted this afternoon in Quori.” Videl laughed. “He was seen running away from a hovertank in a mutant’s ATV. Unfortunately, the ATV was blown up shor
tly thereafter, so I’m afraid your mate, the beloved Liberator of Tributon, is dead!”

  “Oh!” Luci said and turned away. Tears began to well her eyes and she struggled to keep her composure. She didn’t want to give the Chancellor the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

  “So, once we confirm his death I guess I’ll have no further use for you.”

  “You haven’t discovered his body?” Luci asked.

  “Not yet. There are tens of thousands of bodies on the Plains of Tributon. It may take awhile to find your mate.”

  A rush of hope came over Luci. Peter may not be dead! She took a deep breath and gave the Chancellor an icy look. “Is that all?”

  The Chancellor nodded. “No. There’s more,” he smirked. “The Loyalist Air Force came down to provide air support to the mutant army, but that didn’t go to well. They lost over a thousand fighters. So, now that we have obliterated the Mutant Army and killed the Liberator all we have left is the regular Loyalist Army which will be sitting dirkbirds without air support when we meet them at Khor.”

  Luci didn’t respond.

  “So, I’m going to give you one last opportunity to renounce your mate and denounce the Loyalist Party. If you will do that before the people of Tarizon I’ll pardon your treasonous conduct, let you go back to your mate, and raise your child in peace.”

  Luci looked away as tears began to flow down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the sleeve of her dress. Then she shook her head. “No. Not until I see proof that he is dead.”

  “This is not negotiable! Either renounce him now or go to prison!” Luci shook her head again between sobs.

  Videl stiffened.

  “Alright. I tried to be merciful, but now your fate is sealed!” Videl exclaimed and stormed off.

  Lt. Muri looked at Luci worriedly, but all Luci could think about was whether Peter was alive or dead.

   

   

   

  The alarm on his data pod buzzed. He’d set it so he wouldn’t forget to report to Captain Shilling as requested. His mind had a way of wandering off and often he’d discovered that hours had gone by without him realizing it. When he got to her office, her assistant, a Lt. Shuvin, told him to wait. Lt. Shuvin was human but had an odd quality about her. Leek wondered if she was a mutant. It didn’t matter to him, of course, but he wondered if she had any special powers or abilities.

  A green light blinked on the lieutenant’s desk and she nodded that Leek could go in. He smiled, strolled past her into the captain’s office and stood before her desk. Captain Shilling was writing something in a file. When she was finished she looked up and said, “Have a seat, Captain.”

  Leek took a seat and looked around the captain’s office. There were photographs and paintings of beautiful landscapes. He didn’t recognize any of them, of course, since he’d actually seen little of Tarizon and what he had seen was brown and blighted. Captain Shilling caught him eyeing her display and smiled.

  “These are all pre-eruption era photos and paintings. I like to think ahead to the future. They say in ten more cycles we may be able to see our sun again. The landscape should recover quickly then.”

  “Yes,” Leek replied excitedly. “It’s already happening on Lortec and the Beet Islands. Even as far north as Mulh the forests are quite magnificent. Not that I even want to go there again. They have a nasty bird there called a Drogal.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of them. They’re similar to your dragons back on earth.”

  “Yeah, but dragons aren’t real. At least I’ve never seen one.”

  “I believe they actually did exist many Earth centuries ago. I’m kind of a history buff, as you call it on Earth—Earth’s history as well as Tarizon’s. I know quite a lot about Pharidon, our mother planet, as well.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. It is believed that many animals from Pharidon were brought to Earth and Tarizon. They were raised and nurtured by the first settlers and then released to live and evolve on their own.”

  “Wow. That’s very interesting. Is there proof of that theory?”

  “Not really. There is much evidence to support it but no irrefutable proof, I’m afraid it’s been lost over the ages.”

  “Hmm. That’s too bad. It would be kind of a cool theory.”

  A smile broke out on her face. “Cool. I’ve heard that term on Earth. It’s used by teenagers, right?. . . But, I guess you are still a teenager.”

  Leek shrugged.

  “It’s hard to believe God has given so much responsibility to one so young.”

  “Oh, you mean the Prophecy. Well, there’s no irrefutable proof that I’m the Liberator. In fact, I think Loyalist command wishes they’d never ordained me with that title.”

  “Well, that’s politicians for you. They use people like bullets. When they’re loaded and ready for use they’ll cherish and protect them, but once they’re spent, they toss them aside like common garbage. The only reason you’re still alive is that you still might be useful to them.”

  Leek was a little startled to hear Captain Shilling talk about her superiors the way she was. He wondered if she was testing him—trying to get him to say something treasonous.

  “I don’t know Chancellor Mammett, but I don’t think Lorin or her father were like that,” Leek replied carefully.

  “No. Chancellor Garcia was no politician. He was a visionary, a man of great wisdom and integrity—qualities rarely found in politicians. Unfortunately, Chancellor Mammett is a pure politician with few redeeming qualities.”

  “Maybe so, but he’s our commander in chief, so I guess we’re stuck with him.”

  “He’s not my commander in chief,” Captain Shilling said.

  Leek frowned. “But, didn’t you join the Loyalist movement when you brought your ship back from Earth?”

  “No, in fact Loyalist command thinks the ship was destroyed during reentry. Officially everyone aboard this ship is dead.”

  “What about the guide, Tehra? I thought she went to Shini.”

  “She did, but she wasn’t an official passenger on this vessel. She was one of many marooned Loyalists we picked up before we left Earth. She knows not to mention Earth Shuttle 26.”

  “I’m confused. What are you planning to do with the ship now?”

  “It’s going to be your new headquarters. You’re going to take command of the 3rd Loyalist Army and eventually, if God wills it, all the Loyalist armies. We’ve got everything you’ll need aboard this ship to do it.”

  Leek just looked at Captain Shilling in disbelief. He couldn’t believe an entire army was being dropped in his lap. He knew eventually he’d be given a real command, but he’d hardly had sufficient training or experience for it to happen now. He struggled to respond.

  “Yes, but the 3rd Army has been destroyed. And even when it was fully operational it was no match for the TGA. So, even if we somehow bandage it together, without the support of the new Loyalist government and the 1st and 2nd Loyalist armies, what could we possibly do to defeat Videl?”

  “You’re already doing it. Didn’t you just take control of the Loyalist cell network?”

  “Yes. But just so we could protect the nanomites.”

  “Exactly. You can’t help yourself. It’s the Prophecy. You’re taking control of the revolution and you don’t even know it.”

  Leek sighed. “Do you really believe that?”

  “Yes, and I think you do too.”

  “Well, sometimes I do things and then wonder what in God’s green Earth was I thinking. It does at times seem like someone else is guiding me.”

  “Events are guiding you. You are just reacting to them the way the Liberator would be expected to. . . . Right now, what’s most on your mind?”

  Leek took a deep breath and thought about it briefly. “We’ve got to get some fighters if there’s any hope at stopping the TGA before they reach Shini.”

  Captain Shilling’s eyes widened. “True, but where could we get fighters in time to do
any good?”

  “I thought we’d steal them from Gallion.”

  Captain Shilling laughed. “That’s brilliant, but how could you pull that off? I mean, steal fighters from the enemy!”

  He told her of his plans to enlist the support of the seafolken, the mutants and the nanomites and to come up with a plan to steal hopefully a thousand planes. She loved the idea of it, but had severe doubts as to its feasibility.

  “I don’t know, but it’s our best shot. Tam and Red have come up with an effective way to destroy hovertanks, but it requires three fighters working together to do it. There are over nine hundred hovertanks leading the TGA assault. We’ll need at least a thousand planes to stop them—600 for the direct attacks on the tanks, 300 to fend off the TGA fighters while ours work, and a hundred to disrupt the supply lines so we can isolate their army and wear them down.”

  “What do you need from me? ” Captain Shilling asked.

  “I saw you have some seafolken aboard. I’m going to summon the seafolken generals when I go to Gallion in the morning to pick up Lorin. Your seafolken crew members might be helpful in making contact.”

  “There were fifty-one seafolken aboard the shuttle. I released most of them when we landed. They were slaves and the Loyalist Assembly abolished slavery during their first session. A few didn’t want to leave and enlisted in the Loyalist army–seven, I think. I’ll assign them to you.”

  “Excellent. I’ll need a transport plane. Did any survive the Battle of Rini?”

  “Yes. There are two still operational.”

  “Good. I’ll need them tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ll have them ready for you at dawn, Commander.”

  “Commander?”

  “Yes, with the command of the 3rd Army comes the rank of Commander General. It’s one rank below a full general. You are now the highest ranking officer in the 3rd army.”

  “What’s left of it.”

  “Right.”

  A glint of a smile came over Leeks face. “Is he behind all of this?”

  “Who?”

  “Threebeard?”

  “He is the Defense Minister,” Captain Shilling said and returned to her file. “The fact that the 3rd Army is in shambles makes it possible for him to put you in charge. Under normal circumstances there would be a revolt amongst the officers you skipped over, but after such a humiliating defeat, Threebeard can justifiably say a radical change was needed.

  Leek shook his head, turned, and left Captain Shilling’s office. As he walked back to his quarters he ran his new title through his mind. Commander General Leek Lanzia. It had a nice ring to it, he thought, but instead of feeling exhilaration and pride he felt fear and trepidation. He’d just committed to an impossible and probably insane plan—stealing a thousand T-47 fighters from a highly fortified enemy military base. He swallowed hard. Why does everyone follow me so blindly? Are they nuts? His plan now seemed reckless and foolish and likely to get a lot of people killed for nothing. His hands began to shake. He stuck them in his pockets so nobody would notice as they passed him by.

  Commander General? I’m not even old enough to drink back on Earth, but here they expect me to rebuild an Army and save them from the most evil despot in the history of Tarizon.

  When he got to his quarters he went in quickly and locked the door. He leaned against it and slowly slid to the ground, tears welling in his eyes. What am I doing? He wanted to go home—back to Earth and go to college. Life was so much easier when nothing was expected of you, he mused. There was a knock on the door. Startled, he jerked back and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes.

  “Commander Lanzia? Corporal Lakee reporting, sir.”

  Leek took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. “What do you want?”

  “Captain Shilling told me to report to you. She said you needed some help from the seafolken onboard.”

  Leek got up quickly and opened the door. “Come in, corporal.”

  He turned away, fearing his eyes were red and the seafolken would notice. Motioning toward his desk chair, he said, “Sit down.”

  Corporal Lakee took a seat and smiled nervously. “Would you like a tekari?” Leek asked.

  The corporal nodded, so Leek went to his refrigerator and pulled out two green bottles. He handed one to him and then sat down on the edge of his bunk.

  “I don’t know a lot about seafolken, corporal. So, forgive me if I say anything stupid. It’s just that we’re kind of behind the eight ball. That’s an expression we use back on Earth that means our backs are against the wall. You know what I mean?”

  “Yes, sir. The TGA is about to kick our ass. I’ve known quite a few Earth children. I’ve heard all of your expressions.”

  “Good. I’ll get to the point. The seafolken have pledged to help in the fight against Videl Lai. I’ve summoned them once before on Lortec and I plan to summon them again at Gallion.”

  “Videl Lai is our enemy. He has murdered thousands of our people and enslaved tens of thousands. We will do whatever you ask of us to rid the world of him.”

  “Good. The problem I have right now is time. I’ve concocted a very complex plan that will require the help of as many seafolken as I can round up quickly. I don’t know how you all communicate. I know at Lortec all I did was ask and fifty seafolken suddenly showed up. That’s great, but I’m not sure it would work a second time. I’d feel better if I knew for sure.”

  Corporal Lakee nodded. “The seafolken are basically human but we differ in a few respects. Our feet and hands swell when we enter the water so we can swim as fast as any fish. Since it’s difficult to talk under water we communicate telepathically. This telepathic ability, however, is only good for short range communication. When you summoned the help of the seafolken only those close by heard you. We use GCs just like you do for long-distance telecommunications.”

  “Oh, so you can get a message out to your leaders anytime?”

  “Yes, if you have a GC and know their frequencies and codes.”

  “Do you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Perfect!”

  Leek told Corporal Lakee his plan and asked him to communicate it to Talhk, Rusht, and Quirken.

  “You know our generals?”

  “Only from my dreams,” he said ruefully, “but that’s not unusual for me.”

  “Dreams were how we communicated over long distances before there were GCs. It wasn’t a very reliable method, though, since the dreams had to be interpreted.”

  “Yes. Let’s use the GC. Do you have one?”

  “No, sir.”

  “You can use mine until we get you one of your own.”

  Leek was feeling much better after talking to Corporal Lakee. One of his most worrisome questions had been answered. Things were beginning to fall into place and the fear and despair that had nearly strangled him earlier was gone and forgotten. Confidence restored, he was focused once more on the task at hand. It was a difficult plan, but not impossible. He could pull it off, he knew he could, he kept telling himself until he drifted off to sleep.