Salvation Earth
6 Alert X100Z

Many lieges away, in a place far beyond Arran’s imagination, in a chair on wheels, and dressed in a plain grey outfit, sat an old man. He had a smile on his face and was gazing out of a round window at the stars. “So Mecron, we can go back to the lands of our ancestors at last. I never dreamed that I should set foot there before I died. Perhaps that will be a triumphant moment. The second biggest step for mankind.”

“Yes, it looks like it will be so,” replied the other. “We have a few minor details to clear up first, but I don’t see any problems. Or any that will hold us up at all. The land is sufficiently clean now for our safe existence. We should have the last of the grain in to send for testing in the next few days. The lab will have it tested within twenty-four hours. It is only a precaution and I am confident of the results. You know everything has to be checked and double-checked, sir.”

“Yes, yes, spare me the details, Mecron. Just tell me when.” The old man couldn’t abide this slimy toad-like excuse for a man.

“One day after we receive the grain samples.” Answered Mecron. “Marshal Patron is organising it now. Once the food is in our hands, our marshals will irradiate all surviving inhabitants using a new ultra clean weapon.”

“I said spare me the details, Mecron. Brilliant all the same, nothing can stop us now,” said the old man looking down at a red light flashing on his desk. He touched something and turned his chair towards a large silver panel, which immediately slid silently to one side. In stepped a giant of a man dressed all in black with a helmet hiding his features.

“A thousand pardons, sir, but we have a lieutenant Astron here to see you. He says it is of utmost importance.”

“Well, show him in. It will help break the boredom.”

At the giant’s command in walked a young man, also of great stature and dressed in black but with a single silver stud on his shoulders.

“Begging your pardon, sir, but we have had a detector give us a warning. I think it might be important.”

“You youngsters make a fuss over nothing. Probably a fault. Why tell me, can’t you get it checked out first?”

“B-begging your pardon, sir, it gave alert X100Z. Not one I am trained in, or have ever heard of. In fact, no one has.”

“You don’t rely on hearsay, do you? Check out its files man. What is the matter with you people today?”

“Well, I tried sir, but it is an empty folder. Someone has cleaned it out, but forgot to delete the folder which is marked ‘X100Z’. I think it is so old that at some when time the system was updated it got left out.”

“Impossible. It should all be in the deleted files. Nothing is lost or can be permanently removed,” said the old man.

“I know that it is unusual, but I can only imagine that its purpose was unknown and not connected to the running of things’ I guess it was put into a temporary file and subsequently junked. I ran a trace on it which only turned up ‘Disrupter, highly dangerous, location/unknown potential/unknown’. I thought I had better ask you, sir, before I carried out another full systems analysis, err, in case you didn’t want anyone to know and it is supposed to be secret. Are you OK, sir?”

The old man’s face had turned from a ghastly shade of deep purple to dead white. Mecron and Astron looked at each other both thinking the old man was dead. Neither wanted to break the silence. When the old man suddenly came to and muttered. “Why? Why now after all these years?”

“Sir?”

“You did well to come to me, first lieutenant. It is a weapon so old it’s been forgotten. When I was a boy my grandfather told me stories about it. All I could remember was that it is something to fear.”

“But who on earth could operate such a weapon?” asked Astron

“That is the danger. This weapon takes control of the user. You have a fix on it of course?”

“Err, no sir, it was only active for a short while. I thought it may be a malfunction and ran some checks. We detected nothing else and seemed in no immediate danger.”

“Blast. But there was nothing you could do without any facts. You did well coming to me. Keep a look out for it and I will have a recovery team on standby. That’s all,” said the old man

“Yes sir.” Astron saluted, turned and walked out followed by the giant guard.

When Arran eventually opened his eyes, the sun had gone and night had fallen. “Oh, whatever was that?” He struggled to his feet and looked around him. It took a moment before he remembered where he was. But he soon became aware of the carnage all around. “Oh, did I do that? The Gods help me. I had better get out of here.” He quickly stowed the panels and helm back into the chest. Picking it up he looked up for the moon, to try and judge the time for he had no idea how long he had been lying there. The sky was black but for the stars.

“I’ve got to get out of here unnoticed,” he thought.

Arran crept back down the spiral stairs to find the hall was now full of guards. He backed up sharp. There was a window around the bend. He looked out. It was just wide enough to squeeze through and there was no one in the courtyard. The ground was not far down, less than a first-floor window. So, he slipped through dragging the chest behind him and silently dropped to the ground. Jumping to his feet, Arran walked off and through the castle gate as though nothing had happened. The guards were all in the hall talking about the day’s events. He walked toward the north gate not knowing where his companions were camped. “This is nearest, and the gate keepers will know where they are. It will either be near the north or south gate,” he thought. Walking through town he could see the moon now that he was out of the castle. It was quite low in the sky and. he stopped to take in its splendour. It was a clear night and he just looked up and breathed deep and slow, meditating on the string of stars in the southern hemisphere, calming himself and taking full control of his senses. Suddenly, he noticed a shooting star heading north. It swept very low and almost seemed as if it might come down just out of town. “Even the heavens are troubled. The stars have never been so active,” Arran thought.

“Arran. Where have you been? I have looked all over.”

As he approached the town gate, Arran noticed Nadine come through it.

“It’s a long story.”

“I bet it is. I have not seen you since you got back. There is so much I want to know. Where have you been?”

“Have you got any supper?”

“Now you sound like Vargen. Come on, we’re on the north-east edge of town. Jarrad has been getting worried.”

“He knows not to worry about me. You’re the one who does all the worrying.”

“Here’s Jarrad now.”

“Arran. Where have you been? I was going to send out a search party, we left the meeting early on,” said Jarrad.

“Not now. I got a bit involved trying out the chest with the blade. It seems they are connected.”

“Oh, I might have guessed. So how can they be connected?”

“Not sure.”

“Jarrad has already filled me in on your adventure Arran. So, what does this chest actually do?” asked Nadine.

“I’m not sure. It seems to co-ordinate the blade via the helm, I think. I may have passed out, can’t really remember. So, tired, excuse me if I just eat and go to bed. I will speak to you in the morn, Jarrad.”

“Get rid of this blade and chest, Arran,” said Nadine. “I don’t like it. I can sense something really bad about it.”

“It’s none of your business. You leave it alone, I don’t want you to go near it understand.”

“What is the matter with you? I don’t want to touch it, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s go to bed, I’m so tired.”

The sun brushed across Arran’s face and he awoke to a chorus of snores. Nadine was missing. He pulled on his tunic and left the tent. There was a pile of bodies outside producing the snoring. Nadine was stirring something over a fire.

“This lot must have had a late one.”

“Oh, morning. Yes, I think they were up all night making plans. Like a bunch of excited kids. I left you to sleep, thought you could do with it and there’s not much going on. Come and have some breakfast.”

“Yeah, thanks. Look, I’m sorry about last night. I think I was more stressed out than I realised.”

“I realised that, don’t worry.”

“I had better get myself together. I can’t give the men a bad example. We have far too much to do. We need to discipline ourselves more than ever now. No more sleeping in. Smells good, Nad. I missed your cooking.”

“Is that all I am worth to you?”

“How is it that women all manage to turn a compliment into an insult so easily?”

“I know you don’t have much food on the road. I thought you might like something a bit special for breakfast. Go and wake the lads up.”

Arran walked over and started kicking bodies. Soon the snores turned to moans and groans.

“Ow! What you have to do that for?”

“Get up. The sun is well up and you lot are still dead to the world. Been on the grog all night, have you?”

“Well we may have had a little,” said Vargen, shifting in front of several empty flagons, “What’s for breakfast Nadine?”

“It must be nearly lunch time Vargen. I am surprised you could go so long without a meal.”

“I’ll have you know that I can march for three days without a meal, apparently.”

“That remains to be seen,” said Malone.

“So, did you come to any useful conclusions last night? Or can’t any of you remember?”

The men drew up around the fire accepting bowls from Nadine.

“Well,” said Jarrad, “munch, munch,”

“Erm, gulp slurp.”

“Hmm, yum.”

“It’s like feeding time at the pens. Can any of you bring yourselves to answer me? We must sharpen up. No more nights like the last one. The next time will be to celebrate our victory.”

“That could be months away,” grumbled Malone.

“Exactly. And the more disciplined you become, the faster it will get here.”

“That was delicious, Nadine. My compliments,” said Jarrad. “We have worked out a training programme for the soldiers. We will set up one training camp south and one north of the town, and we will take turns. In the meantime, we will help with the clearing of the buildings outside the north wall and the repair of the wall. That’s it, basically.”

“Is that all you come up with in all night?”

“Well it’s a start,” said Jarrad.

“Any thought about weapons? And battle methods?” asked Arran.

“Err, no.”

“Well, I thought that as it is going to be very crowded with no room to manoeuvre, the front line should use a spiked ball on a chain fastened to a handle. After all, the soldiers are not expert swordsmen. If they are crammed in tight, all they have to do is swing it over their opponent, who will naturally raise his shield to fend off the blow. Then, our next two lines will be pike men, pushing their pikes between the shields of our front row. When the opponent raises his shield, they can spear under it. If they are careful, their pikes will not be seen until it is too late. Longer pikes will mean a second row can be used.”

“That means we must rely on one row of combat troops. A bit risky, especially in the first charge,” said Jarrad.

“I know, but a second row of combat troops can’t do anything until the front man is down. If we can resist that first charge, we have a better chance of surviving long term. We don’t have the numbers to fight on equal terms. We should stay back so that if the enemy break through anywhere, we can force them back and close the gap.”

“Sounds possible. It will still depend on the weight of their first charge.”

“Yes, but if the pikes are wedged into the ground and the front-line stand with their shields level with the pike tips, so they can’t be seen, then step our men back when pressed by the assault. The pikes should stop the full weight of the attack. We can have spare front men waiting to step in when needed,” said Arran.

“It is risky. But maybe we don’t have a choice. And if it fails, then we can retreat through the gate. We would lose a lot of men.”

“It won’t fail. We must meet the barbarians in the field to do as much damage as we can. The walls are never going to be high and strong enough to fend off the sort of siege that’s coming. If they broke through, our soldiers would be slaughtered trying to fight in the streets.”

“So, we meet them outside the walls. Then fall back behind the walls when we must. Defend the walls until they are breached. Then what?” asked Malone.

“Then we all fall back to our Com. Sensing victory they will chase us without caution and control. We can pick them off as they chase the soldiers. And we can let few enough of their numbers through for the soldiers to handle.”

“I think we will do more damage to them whilst retreating south than on the first engagement,” said Jarrad.

“So do I, but the enemy must believe us to be defeated for it to work. I think some of us should take half of the grain back to the Com so we won’t starve when we all get there.”

“I bet Snade won’t allow that.”

“We will take it anyway. The women and children must be sent south. They will need it. We can’t drag those barrows around whilst being chased. We can return with the rest of our men and Hal’s,” said Arran.

“We will have a formidable army with all the houses’ men, us and the soldiers,” said Tarrak. “There is a chance, yet.”

“There is always a chance where there is life Tarrak,” said Arran, “but remember, the soldiers are the weakest link. The weakest link is where the chain always breaks.”

The silver door slid open. “Good morning, sir,” said Mecron walking in. “You called me?”

“Morning. Yes, what developments have we? I am losing sleep. Something bothers me, and I am not used to having loose ends hanging about.”

“I wouldn’t worry sir,” said Mecron. “Tomorrow we will have the food and the day after that there will not be anyone left alive to use this weapon.”

“Put a hold on that, Mecron. I think it might be more important if we find this weapon.”

“Well, I can’t delay long. I’ll give you another forty-eight hours.”

“That might not be enough time.”

“Nutradom are expecting it today or tomorrow, what am I to tell them?” asked Mecron. “And what happens if one of our men find it, it gets control of him and he turns on us and uses it on us?”

“You let me worry about that. I want that weapon,” said the old man.

“I cannot delay much longer, and you do not even know what you are looking for.”

“We will know when we find it. It has now taken all priority. You will delay, or I will make you.”

“Oh, what are you going to do? Give me to your Powercon police?

“If necessary, Mecron, yes.”

“The military won’t be very happy with you. They are getting impatient as it is, urging me to get in this last sample of food. They want to use their own weapon.”

“Dam the military, Mecron. You forget that the Military Mining and Manufacturing Corporation depend upon us for its power. I hold a powerful card, Mecron. Ha, a power card. I can put pressure on them to hold back their military.”

“Don’t be too sure. The threat of no power may drive them to rebellion. They might just take Powercon for themselves. They are strong enough. Your Powercon police would be no match for them.”

“Don’t be a fool, Mecron. Do you think the other two powers would stand for that? The balance would be lost. 3M would become too powerful. Nutradom would starve them of food and WorldTransCom would cripple their transport and cut off their communications.”

“I doubt that. The other two have no armed forces. Once 3M controls you, they would simply take the other two and have complete control.”

“You are a bigger fool than I thought. The balance works for good reason and always has, or we would be all one by now. And don’t you think WorldTransCom’s thought police, Intermind, will have infiltrated all the corporations? They manipulate what goes on, and would prevent anything happening. They are more powerful than any of us. In fact, sometimes I wonder if we have any control over what we do,” said the old man.

“What do you mean, sir? I mean for what purpose? They have never shown signs of wanting to take over.”

“You know dam well what I mean. Intermind built the Cyber Web. They have been mentally trained for who knows how many generations. They don’t need to take over. They probably already have. Everything is going along to their own plan and we are all just puppets.”

“Surely not, sir? Do they really exist? And do they really belong to WorldTransCom? There is no evidence, just stories to scare our children,” said Mecron.

“So how would we know? Who are they? For all I know you might be one. Don’t you think it strange that we never think about them? No one ever talks about them unless something odd comes up, like today. And then I’ll bet we’ll have forgotten them again by tomorrow. I’d like to get my hands on them.”

“I’m sure you concern yourself over nothing, sir.”

“Oh, get out of here, Mecron.”

Arran, Nadine and Jarrad toured the northern wall with Captain Hendra and went over the improvements. Then, they estimated how much of the outer town they could tear down.

“I think we should pull down the lot,” said Arran. “We don’t want to leave them any cover. But it would take a hundred years.”

“Not if we set fire to it,” said Captain Hendra. “A fire wouldn’t spread past the walls. A lot of material would be removed for us and just leave us with bricks and rubble which we can use.”

“A bit extreme, but you’re right. It is the only way to do it. We had better have plenty of help standing by just in case. Get some men and start evacuating the houses. Give them five hours and then start burning. The people can’t stay there anyway.”

“Yes, sir,” said Hendra, marching off.

“Well, the sun is high, Nad. I’m getting a little hungry again.”

“I’ve never seen you with such an appetite.”

“Must be the fresh air. Let’s go and tell the baron that we are taking half the grain and about the fire and evacuation.”

“He can’t mind about the grain, it will only be lost if left here.”

“We should take as much as possible, it will be safer at our place,” said Jarrad. “And I hope our camp is safe from the fires.”

“Ooh, that’s a point,” said Nadine.

It was well into the afternoon when the three of them returned from the castle.

“I didn’t think the baron was going to let the grain go. He thinks he owns everything, can’t give it up very easily.”

“Well, he more or less does, Nad. If he refused, what could we have done? We are only looking after it, anyway. I was more concerned that he would refuse the burning of the town.”

“He seems to have come around, eventually. Just a bit slow, but I think he’s not a bad man,” said Nadine.

“Is there anything left over to eat, Nad?”

The sun was low by the time they had eaten. They were cooking in one big pot now, with everything thrown in. Most of the group had drifted back from their various tasks and had eaten their fill when Arran said, “Nad, I know you don’t like the idea. But I am going along the river to have another practice with this blade.”

“I don’t like it because of the reactions of those from the town. They knew it was evil.”

“Yes, but it is powerful. If I can master it, we would be stronger. We need all the help we can get. Just until the war is over.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, you won’t. I can’t trust myself. You must never be anywhere near me when I use it with the helm, understand?”

“OK, I’ll be in bed waiting for you. Don’t be too long.”

Arran marched down river, set up the chest and placed the helm on his head. He looked up. “The sun is low, dusk in about an hour. This should only take about half an hour. I’ll be back by nightfall,” he thought, Arran pushed the button. The blade leapt into his hand, whirling around above his head. He danced through the reeds along the riverbank, clearing a path more than twenty hands wide, sweeping and thrusting faster than the eye could see. This time he was vaguely aware of what was happening, although he had no control over it. When it was over, he marvelled at the movements, the speed and agility of the blade. He sat down on the bank and removed the helm. Arran said to himself, “It’s not just the design and balance of the blade. But the way you move it, totally different to a broadsword. I would never have picked up those movements without the chest. The chest must just be some sort of training device that speeds up training. It is only my second half hour and I noticed a considerable difference. That is nothing to fear, just because we do not understand it.” Getting his breath back, he packed up the chest and set back.

“You have news lieutenant, Astron?”

“Yes, we have detected it again and have a fix on its location.”

“Good, send in some trusted troops, lieutenant.”

“Already done, sir. I sent in the PCP Special Section. I dare not trust 3M’s blundering soldiers with this.”

“Well done. You will be commended for your efficiency, lieutenant.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Think nothing of it. Your choice was perfect. The Special Section are the only ones I can trust.”

“How’s that, sir?”

“Because I hold the power of life and death over them. If they fall into the wrong hands or defect, I can remotely terminate them instantly. It is the only way to totally trust someone.”

“A bit severe, sir.”

“They take it on when they apply. And they get a lot of privileges.”

“Well, they are on their way sir. And err,”

“Well go on, Mecron, things can’t get much worse.”

“I have a report from Marshall Patron.”

“Yes, yes go on man, spit it out.”

“Well, it’s the grain, sir, it’s gone.”

“What?”

“It’s been stolen.”

“Yes, blundering was about right. Well, we must go on without it, assuming we capture this weapon.”

“We can’t, sir. These final tests are crucial to see how fast the land is giving up its remaining radiation.

“Mecron, we do not need to grow our food there, haven’t done for generations, remember.”

“It’s not that, sir. A lot of the radiation is locked in and normal tests are deceptive. This is what all our tests are based on. This food comes from all over a wide area. Unlike wild vegetation, its time in the environment is known. From its cell structure, we can tell its rate of absorption and how this changes with the weather and season. We must have it or it is no go,” said Mecron.

“Dam scientists. This could mean a year’s delay. A year I might not have. Well, don’t just stand there. Go and find it, imbecile.”

Arran was just approaching camp when he noticed another shooting star streak over the town. Again, it seemed to slow and drop just beyond town. There were too many lights in the sky of late, not natural. Stowing his chest under a barrow, he set off for the far side of town. There was no sign of lights in the hills now. He made his way through the dark smelly streets, which had been evacuated now but not set alight yet. Arran thought it seemed spooky and unnaturally quiet. Near to the far edge of town he heard terrible screams and stopped. A chill came over him, made his blood run cold. The screams did not sound very nice. Then there were people running across the end of the street. “Must be a work party,” he imagined. He ran down a side alley, through a sparse vegetable patch, over a wall and dropped down behind a fence. He was overlooking a square right on the edge of town where it was more open than the tight streets he had just come through. There were bodies lying around and his eyes nearly popped out when he saw the two giants clad in black with smooth featureless helms. They must have stood a full head over him. Then, one of the baron’s patrols entered the square. A captain and two others drew their blades, raised their shields and advanced.

“Who are you and what is your business?” asked the captain, not getting any nearer than he had to.

“You are of authority here?” said one of the black giants. “We are looking for someone. Perhaps you can help us. He is using an unusually powerful new weapon that I am sure you would be aware of.”

“I know nothing of strange weapons,” said the captain.

“We know it is here. Do not protect it. You cannot resist us.”

“You enter our city without invitation and threaten us. You must leave immediately. I order it so.”

“Your orders and authority mean nothing to us. We move as we please. You must give us the information we want or suffer the consequences,” said one of the black giants.

“Leave us, strangers. We cannot bargain with invaders.”

One of the black figures pointed at the captain, a red flash left a smoking hole in his shield. He showed no sign of impact, but just crumpled to the ground, revealing another smoking hole in his chest. The others shrank back. Arran jumped so much that he pushed the fence down. The black figure turned and pointed at him. Arran dived to the ground as the wall behind him howled and showered him with sparks and splinters. Without a pause, he jumped up and bounded over the wall, which howled again behind him. Pausing a second to regain control, Arran ran for his life back through town and did not stop until he reached his tent.

Nadine came out of the tent “Whatever has happened to you?”

Arran was too out of breath to speak for a moment.

“I have never seen you so winded.”

The others began to appear.

“What is wrong?” asked Malone.

“We have, I think, just had a visit from the Gods.”

At that moment, there was the rumble of distant thunder and a light faded up into the night sky. They all looked at each other.

“What the?” remarked Vargen, running up.

Everybody was out of their tents now and all throwing questions at Arran, who told them what he had seen.

“Wow,” said Elven, “I wish I had been there.”

“What might this weapon be then, Arran?” asked Jarrad. “You don’t think…”

“I am trying not to think anything now.

“Well, I have heard lots of rumours about the Gods,” said Harrad, “But I have never actually met anyone that has seen them. Till now.”

“They were not gods,” put in Arran. There was something very human about them, despite the size.”

“Oh yeah,” cut in Tarrak. “What about the thunderbolt, then?”

“I don’t know, some sort of wizardry. I dare say Zeb could conjure up something like that.”

“Not something that would go straight through a shield and your body.”

“Well, I don’t really believe they are gods. And we can’t let this delay us. We leave for the Com first light,” said Arran.

Arran and Jarrad stood in silence as everyone went back to their tents.

“This weapon, I can only think of one strange new weapon in these lands.”

“Yes, you’re right, Jarrad. It must be very important to someone. After centuries hidden, I use it for an hour and the ‘Gods’ appear. Spooky, wouldn’t you say. It must truly be a weapon of the gods. We will need this weapon in the coming battles, but I must be careful how I use it.”

“Is it wise to use it at all?” asked Jarrad.

“Possibly not. But I will take the chance. We had better get some sleep. I want an early start in the morning.”

First light saw Arran, Nadine, Jordan and Vargen fed and on their way. They met Captain Hendra and fifty soldiers with half the barrows of grain. After a brief greeting, they set off south. The road was busier than normal. Most people were fleeing south, taking as many of their belongings as possible. People were in a state of mild panic. Rumour was rife, like a thousand demons had already sacked Cam. Some were going north, like robbers looking for the fortunes of war. Whole villages had gone to fight for their lands. All this to and fro slowed them down somewhat, much to Arran’s annoyance, but there were no incidents on the journey and they made it in just over three days.

Hal came out to greet them as they marched into the courtyard.

“Arran. Nadine. I am so glad you are OK. Come, food, rest. Tell me all, I can’t wait for the news. I have heard some. That old wizard friend of yours was snooping around here the other day.”

“What? Zeb, here?” asked Arran.

“Yes, he left two days ago. Come on let’s go in and catch up.”

Hal led the group into the dining hall and sat them round the table, gave instructions for the soldiers to be billeted in the barn and called for some hot food for the guests.

“So, Arran, how bad is it? We have noticed more travellers than normal, outlanders crossing our borders. Things are really stirred up, I would guess.”

Arran told Hal of their adventures and all the events from leaving him before. Hal sat there in silence shaking his head now and again.

“So, Cam will be under siege soon. And if it falls we are all in trouble.”

“That’s right, Hal. We must all go and help in its defence. We must go back to the Com and come back with every man we have.”

“We will join you with every available man we have.”

“That’s good, Hal, we will need them.”

“But what of these black gods? I have heard of them, stories of sightings in the west. Although I know of no one that has returned. And where do they fit in? They have never been seen in our lands before.”

“We don’t know. We must wait and see. But I would suggest avoiding them at all costs,” warned Arran.

“Don’t worry about that, I will. Just as I thought things were getting better. Do you know that our crops have produced a better yield every year for the past five years? I believe the land is a lot cleaner than it was. But now this. Will there never be any rest for us?”

“We will do what we have to. We are not lost yet. Things will get better have no fear. It’s just that they may have to get worse first.”

“That is good news about your harvest,” said Jordan. “It must mean less work to feed everyone.”

“It does. It means we can spend more time on improving our conditions and have more recreational time. If we come through this, life won’t be nearly as bad as it used to be,” said Hal.

“So where is Zeb going?”

“I don’t know. I told him you were in Cam, but should be back soon.”

“He won’t go there,” said Arran. “Calls it a den of thieves, he does. He may go on to the Com to wait for us. Although I think he has a good idea of our movements, anyway. We will leave at first light; maybe we will catch him up. Come on Nad, let’s get to bed. Good night.”

Arran and Nadine got up and walked to the stairs taking a jug of wine with them and leaving the others drinking and exchanging stories. Once they were in bed and Nadine snuggled up, entwining her body around Arran’s, she asked him what chance he thought the house had. She added that Hal had worked so hard for years to bring the estate around and how he deserved to succeed. But Arran had already drifted into sleep. Knowing that he was in a safe house, he allowed himself to go into a much-needed deep sleep for on the move he only half slept, listening out for danger. This meant he was not always as rested as he should be. Now he was almost not wakeable. Nadine lay there with thoughts of the ape men. She could still see their face. Tomorrow they would pass that place again. She hoped her dreams would not come back and decided to make Arran give it a wide berth. Still, she wondered what they were, besides tortured souls.

Arran was awoken by movement in the courtyard and house. The whole place seemed alive. He had never heard so much activity. Nadine was up and he could hear water being poured. He lay there and tensed every muscle in his body as hard as he could, until he tingled all over. Then he stretched every way he could.

“If that water’s hot, save me some Nad, please.”

“You can use it after I have finished.”

They found Hal in the courtyard, bade their farewells and ordered the troop into some sort of formation. It was a clear bright morning as they marched out of the gate. Nadine remarked on how wonderful everything looked, but Arran was miles away in thought. Jordan agreed with her with a grunt.

“Well, we don’t have to be so gloomy, do we?” Nadine asked.

The troop consisted of more women now, going to the greater safety of the Commune.

“Arran, tomorrow will bring us close to the ape men again.”

“You would sooner we go around it?” asked Arran.

“I’m not sure. I think they need help more than being a threat. I think I would like to try and make contact.”

“Nadine, there was no one there.”

“They are in that small hill we camped by.”

“Nonsense.”

“Please let me try.”

“OK, if it makes you happy. But we will not camp as close this time.”

The following day the group came upon the little hill. It had been a dull journey and all were familiar with this route. Arran ordered camp and was asked why they were stopping so soon, but he ignored the question and Vargen put in for an early dinner to a round of groans. Camp was quickly set up and some of the grain was made into porridge for supper. Once they were fed, Arran and Jordan went with Nadine to the hill. She walked around it, stopping now and again and closed her eyes. Eventually, she went up to the top of the hill and knelt. Arran followed her up. She looked like she was praying, but she was chanting something he couldn’t make out. After what seemed ages, she moaned some and slumped to the ground. Arran rushed over, quite alarmed, and picked her up. She was still moaning, but seemed well. He carried her back to camp and laid her on her bed.

“Is she all right?” enquired Jordan.

Arran explained that she was often left in a state of exhaustion after a heavy trance and that she would sleep through the night now.

The next morning, Nadine awoke early. “There are people down there, in the hill,” she said.

“Come on, Nad, that’s a bit far-fetched.”

“No, I made contact. They need help. They have extremely powerful psychic powers, but they are trapped in there.”

“How could anyone survive underground, Nad? You must have been dreaming. We can’t delay, forget it,” said Arran.

“We can’t just leave them.”

“I’m sorry but we must. Come on.”

The group made a good start and expected to reach the Commune the next afternoon. The pace was slow because of the soldiers and barrows. Arran was getting a bit impatient when Vargen, who was trailing, came running up and announced that they were being followed. But he had no idea who it could be. Arran ordered two more rear guards to join him and wondered who could be so good that his men could not see them. Later in the day, Arran was so bored he got his chest from a barrow and went off on his own, knowing he could spend a couple of hours practising and still catch up before dark. He travelled two and a half leagues before setting up the chest, thinking that he was so far south of Cam he should not be bothered by the ‘Gods’. Arran pressed the red jewel and his blade leapt into his hand, taking him through a training programme. Once again, he underwent an hour of torturous activity. This time he was more aware of what was happening, but it was still like a dream, vague and unclear. He was totally unable to resist the actions he was performing. He could only marvel at the speed and agility he now demonstrated. At last, he came to a stop and fell onto his back. He felt drained and it was all he could do to pull the helm off. “I cannot do that too often,” he thought. Whilst lying there getting his wind back and looking at the sky, he thought he saw a light pass overhead. You can’t see shooting stars in the day, but it was gone in a flash. He heard a roaring scream quite close by. “Not again, is there no escape?” he thought. Overriding his exhaustion, he packed the chest up, keeping an eye on the bushy hill between him and the sound. Just as he finished, he heard noises in the bushes, possibly talking. Grabbing the chest, he ran in the opposite direction and dived into the nearest bush. No sooner than he moved a bolt of red light struck the ground where he had stood, sending a shower of soil into the air. He rolled into the bushes and kept rolling as more bolts tore through the bush above him. Swinging to his left, he came to a halt and waited, not sure of what to do next. He did not have much cover left. Then several loud explosions shook the ground, followed by more shrieks and howls like all hell had opened. After a while, it went quiet. He thought that he ought to get away but wasn’t sure about breaking cover. He pulled his cloak over his head and started to crawl away. He was just thinking that with the cloaks camouflage ability, he may just slip away unnoticed, when a voice said, “You do look funny there. Where do you think, you are going?”

Arran rolled over and tried to draw his blade at the same time and ended up in a tangled heap. A tall figure stood over him. A huge roar of laughter now added insult to his injury.

“You can come out now,” said Zeb. “I have dealt with them.”

“Heavens, am I glad to see you.” Arran struggled to his feet. “Wizard, I should have known it was only you all along.”

“Err um, well not entirely alone. I had some help.”

“Well, must you creep about and sneak up on people?”

“I hear that you’re good at creeping about, yourself.”

“Not upon friends I’m not.”

“And pray tell how could I tell friend from foe with you hiding in a bush?”

“With all the goings on over there, you expect me to stand out there and waive, Huh?” shouted Arran.

“Come, we do not have much time, and we have work to do back there.”

“I’m not sure that I want to go back there.”

“And I thought you were the bravest of the brave.”

“Anyway, I have something important for you to look at.”

“We have not the time, hurry,” implored Zeb.

“But, but this blade, it has…” Arran pulled out his blade.

“Yes of course, the weapon. If it is what I think it is, it will be very useful in the task to come.”

“Here take it.”

“No. No I dare not touch it. It is far too powerful. My will is not as strong and incorruptible as yours. It could corrupt my own powers, and then where would we be?”

“But Zeb, surely your power and the blade’s… Who could match that?” asked Arran.

“Exactly young man. Do not even think it. I shall examine it at a more convenient time and place. We are in danger right now. There may be more following this lot, and we have a job to do before we leave here.”

The two marched up the hill and into more bushes. Arran noticed two bodies; they were the all black giants. There was still smoke wafting about and a strong smell of burning that didn’t smell quite right.

“Did you defeat them, By the Gods, Zeb? Or did you catch them unawares, sneak up on them?”

They came to a halt in front of a large white dome-shaped dwelling standing on legs.

“Is this where they live then?” asked arran.

“Err, kind of. We need sections of the floor.”

“You have lost me. But go on.”

Zeb stooped underneath. “Look, I’ll chalk lines where I want underneath and you score deep along the lines with your blade.”

“As you say, it shall be done.” He watched as Zeb drew a circle in the centre with eight lines radiating out from it within a larger circle that encompassed them all. He then asked Arran to score along the lines with his blade. Arran then worked away on his knees for over an hour while Zeb looked on. When he finally came out dripping with sweat, Zeb merely nodded and went inside. A few moments later Zeb came rushing past Arran, ran out into the clearing and dived to the floor clutching his hat. Arran wandered over and was about to ask what was going on when an enormous explosion blew him off his feet. Zeb got up and dusted himself down.

“Thanks for the warning,” said Arran getting up. The dwelling was just a small pile of rubble.

“Quick,” said Zeb walking back to the pile, “cut some long branches and make a sledge. We have not much time.” Zeb pulled out the sections that had been marked.

“I can’t carry all that,” said Arran.

“Try, they weigh almost nothing. Lash them to the branches and pull it along.”

Another hour and they were on their way, chest and all.

“What do we want with bits of rubbish?”

“These bits of rubbish will save your life, my boy.”

“Oh, how?” asked Arran.

“They are made of a material that will withstand the Gods, thunderbolts.”

“How do you know that?”

“Trust me, I do know. When we get back you can fix handles on the inside and use them as shields. They are strong enough to resist blades, as well.”

“I don’t think I want to take the chance of testing that out, thank you very much. You are coming back with me then? I have something to show you there,” said Arran.

“And I would like to examine this weapon. But under no circumstances must you use it there. Or they will find you.”

Arran and Zeb marched on in silence. After the extra delay, they never caught the barrows up and arrived at the Com as the sun was setting. Arran gave three long blasts on the old horn from the last hill and received an answer from the Com. Nadine was on the wall and waved when she saw them coming. The steps were already lowered when the two got there and they went straight up. In the gatehouse a crowd gathered around Arran, while Zeb stood back with his arms crossed, with a humph. Nadine gave Arran a big hug, as did by Harrad.

“It’s good to have you back, Arran. Jordan has told me that Razz is no more. We have already told Nazine. Some of the women are comforting her. She did not take it too well.”

“I should have told her myself,” said arran, regretfully.

“Well, it’s done. The grain is being put into storage and you can fill me in on anything Jordan hasn’t tomorrow. It does not sound good so far, but it’s great to have you back, Arran.

Another humph from behind Arran made them all look round.

“Fine hospitality you give out here, isn’t it? I could have died of thirst.”

“My apologies, Zeb,” said Harrad. “There has been so much going on. Let me get some of our finest ale organised. Come, we will go down to the hall.”

They walked down the stairs, around the plantings and into the dining hall where a log was just beginning to burn.”

“It’s not that cold now, but I do think you can’t beat a good fire.”

“My sentiment entirely. Ale and fire, you have done well to get that going for our arrival Harrad. Makes up for the welcome,” said Zeb.

They drew up chairs and were served stew with bread and soon Arran was deep into his adventures north. Zeb listened intently, nodding his head occasionally.

“How come you have brought back so much grain?” asked Harrad.

“We must store it for the town. I fear it will be overrun and the people will flee here.”

“What? We can’t take in the whole town.”

“We will take the rest of the women and children. It should not be for long. We can’t maintain a long siege anyway. We will be outside to fight them.”

“We will? If we can’t stop them at Cam, how do you think we are going to do it here?”

“We won’t stop them at Cam. Falling back is part of a plan to string them out and pick them off.”

“They are that strong?” asked Harrad.

“Yes,” said Zeb, “stronger than you can imagine. I have seen the numbers they can draw on.”

“When have you seen them?” asked Arran.

“Who do you think caused the blast that blew the gas out of their town saving your necks?”

“I thought I saw a figure on the cliffs,” replied Arran.

“You have a serious problem. They are some twenty thousand strong.”

“What?” said Harrad, jumping to his feet. “That’s impossible. What are we going to do?”

“As I said, we have to do some planning,” said Arran.

“I’ll say.” Harrad was pacing up and down shaking his head.

“Tis unlike you to be worried, Harrad, are you afraid?” asked Zeb.

“No. No, but worried. We have no time to lose. We must get organised.”

“Calm down. What can be done is being done. All within the lands are now working on it.”

“And I’m the first to know?”

“Well, you were the last to get to. So, yes. We only have to organise ourselves now. Make some shields. Come up with some new and novel ideas.”

“Shields? That’s not going to make much difference. Novel ideas? Twenty thousand by the Gods. We are going to need a miracle,” said Harrad.

“Archers,” said Zeb.

“What about them?”

“You’re going to need them. They have them.”

“We don’t have any bows. There isn’t any suitable wood in our lands. I haven’t heard of anyone using a bow in these parts before. The wood is too soft. It has no power, no spring. We haven’t got time to train anyone.”

“What about the wood at Rendlestorm? That is hardwood, should be springy.”

“We can try, but hard wood snaps easily,” said Arran. “I’ll send a runner. See if more wood can be cut and taken to Cam. But we do not have any bow-rites. Heaven knows what they will come out like, even if we had the time.”

“Arran, you are determined to do as much damage as possible whilst they are on their way, yes?” asked Nadine, suddenly paying attention.

“Yes, Nad.”

“That’s it, then. Your first strike, preferably at night when they have not got a good target, must be their archers. They are, after all not swordsmen, so the baron’s men might be able to take care of them while we hold off the rest, ahead and behind.”

“The rest?” said Harrad.

“No, she’s right. The whole army will be well strung out. We will get more time on the first hit.”

“The baron’s men could take the bows. Take a couple of carts with you. They could come back with all the bows we need.”

“See, Harrad, a few ideas like that are going to shorten the odds in our favour.”

“I agree. I am just alarmed at the short time ahead of us.”

“Mecron, Astron tells me this old weapon showed up again.”

“Yes, Marshall, we sent a patrol after it, but it was destroyed, verdict accidental. We had two teams investigate and there was no sign of outside interference.”

“An accident. Fool, I’ve told you how dangerous this weapon is. Do not underestimate it.”

“Yes, sir you have, but you haven’t told me what it does or what it looks like. We just don’t know what we are looking for and can’t even compare its effects against the damage done.”

“Well, find out. I’ll make it your responsibility to find it. I have located an old file from a very early back up that must have been missed. It gives a description of it, but not what it does. Apparently, our people have never had their hands on it.”

“Well, done sir. What does it look like then?” asked Mecron.

“A sword.” Mecron, “It is a sword, with a long thin blade and alien markings on it. I think it is not of earthly origins.”

“Just a blade? No.”

“Not just a blade. An alien blade with built in power. Who knows what it could do?”

“I can’t see that it could do much. It is still just a blade, even if it keeps good time, clocks up your kills and e-mails them to a friend.”

“Will you be serious? Or you will be the first one I try it out on. It needs energy, and as a by-product so to speak, I assume anyway. It can drain your life force before killing you. It only has to penetrate your nervous system, a blow perhaps, not normally fatal, will give a most horrendous death.”

“Charming. But aliens, sir. You don’t believe in aliens, do you sir?”

“That’s something else you had better know about.”

“You don’t mean, there has been a contact?” asked Mecron.

“I don’t know. But we intercepted a coded transmission from the moon,” said the marshall.

“That’s odd, everything is discussed in virtual. Even at the highest level, the C-Conference is at very regular intervals.”

“Exactly. It was top, top secret, double urgent. We still don’t know what it says. We have two AI’s devoted full time to it.”

“Maybe it’s not coded, but a code. You know a pre-agreed signal whose meaning is already known.”

“Don’t get smart with me. What do you think you are? An AI. Shit, why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because everything is overcomplicated today, sir,” said Mecron. “If you have something important to warn about, why overcomplicate it with codes that may take time to decipher or be misread? So, it is something highly important that they wanted to warn someone about. But who?”

“That’s the easy part. It was tight beamed to 3M.”

“No wonder they don’t want to trust encoding. How the hell did you come by that anyway?”

“Not your problem. It’s what happened next that’s interesting,” said the marshall.

“What with Military, Mining and Manufacturing, themselves?”

“Oh, yes. Every ship on standby, took off at full speed for the outer Rim of the solar system.

“Every ship? That’s a shit load of vessels to send out nowhere, and such vast distance. You have their co-ordinates?”

“Yes, of course. But it doesn’t end there. 3M have contracted us to build three new construction bays.”

“Are they expecting a lot of repairs then?” asked Mecron.

“Exactly.”

Or is it for new constructions? I hope we get the contracts if it is.”

We should. Major construction is a bit beyond their manufacturing capabilities. The other thing is they have cancelled all refits and Nutradom has be instructed to stock them to the hilt with supplies,” said the marshall.

“So, they are in for a long journey as well!”

“Right again. There is something going on out at the Rim. More I cannot say. Now, I want the grain and this weapon urgently. I can’t help feeling that this weapon is more significant than we can guess.”

“Have we no surveillance cameras in orbit? We could see what is happening on the ground.”

“No, since coming up here we have turned our attention to the stars. Nothing has happened on the surface for generations. The orbits of the old satellites have decayed, and they have all burnt up. We have records of those. We have full detection, looking outward and around us, but we have nothing looking down. We hardly expect any threat from below. 3M may have some, they have more use for that sort of thing than us, but I am not going to involve them in the search for this weapon.”

“I have forces working on the grain as we speak. All the land is being searched thoroughly. The weapon I have kept quiet about. We can only wait for it to show up again and send in more troops.”

First Marshal Strighton leaned forward on his desk his eyes closed. Mecron slid quietly out.

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