The Gods of Garran: Chapter 40

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A novel by Meredith Skye

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The winds had died down some but still blew sand fiercely across the plains. In the command tent, several officers monitored communications. First chief Richt, Koethe's right hand man, stood in the center of the room, looking at a small computerized map on a flimsy temporary table in the center of the room.

"Commander," said Richt, acknowledging Koethe as he entered the room.

"Chief Richt," Koethe responded. "What is it? I still haven't learned the location of my daughter."

"I'm afraid it's confirmed, sir. There are reports that the Garran tribes are massing in force in the Northeast. They plan to attack Rhashan near the Stony Dunes sometime in the next few days."

Koethe nodded. The natives had always objected to their settlements around the Stony Dunes. The land was sacred, they said. Koethe also knew that a hundred years ago, a major battle had been won there by the Chanden. Thousands had died there. Tens of thousands of Garrans. Surely, this held some symbolism to the natives.

But the Chanden had defeated them then and they would defeat them even more easily now. Surely, they realized this: it was suicide.

Already the unrest on Garran had completely disrupted all normal activities. Even in the cities, the Garran natives were becoming unmanageable—despite all the schools he'd built, and hospitals. Years of progress would be wiped out in this war.

But Koethe had little choice.

"We should mobilize our forces; position as many men as we can in Rashan and Drealea."

"I'm afraid that General Godwin has already ordered our men there," said Chief Richt, with a troubled look.

"What?" demanded Koethe. "How dare he? I haven't been notified," he sputtered, upset. He caught himself. Always show a calm face. He took a deep breath.

Since the incident at Hobset, Koethe had been out of favor with General Godwin and his officers. "I haven't been relieved of duty," threatened Koethe quietly. "He cannot take over command of my squads!"

Chief Richt nodded. Richt would back him up, if it came to a conflict. But Koethe couldn't go against a man like Godwin. He was too powerful. He was the Emperor's own cousin. Koethe scowled.

"You'll have my full cooperation, sir," said Richt, quietly. Koethe nodded.

"I fear they've been developing a strategy without you," said Richt. "They all left less than an hour ago. Our satellites confirm that they have traveled to Brerrn, in the Stormage Hills. He's been maneuvering his troops all over Garran."

"What is he up to?" asked Koethe.

"I believe he's targeting the Garran native clan caves, sir."

"What, you mean the tsirvaks?"

"Yes, sir," said Richt, his face grim.

"But those are mostly full of women and children. The warriors won't be there," objected Koethe.

They stared at each other.

"A few moments ago," said Richt, "I got a communication from Godwin, summoning you to Brerrn."

"Ready a ship," said Koethe. He had to stop this. If they attacked the tsirvaks, there would be no turning back. They would have to kill every Garran on the planet.

"Yes, sir," Chief Richt nodded.

Koethe turned to Captain Fauke. "Bring the boy."

Quickly the preparations were made. The hovership took off with a small squad of two other ships; thirty men altogether. Koethe wasn't sure was Godwin was planning. And he feared that thirty men would not be enough to counter it.

Meanwhile, Koethe worried for Asta. If General Godwin struck out at the natives, he might never get her back. The Garrans could take her as a hostage and use her against them. But would Godwin care about that? Surely, he wouldn't.

Anger burned in Koethe. He'd been governing Garran for twenty years. He wouldn't let a handful of outsiders undo all that he'd done in that time—in a matter of a few days. Godwin had to be stopped. The upcoming battle would be a massacre.

It nearly dark when they touched down near the all-Garran village of Brerrn. Fires lit the village, and they weren't hearth fires. Many of the natives homes were already burning. Koethe's heart sank. He was too late. Godwin's men had already done their dirty work.

Quickly, Koethe climbed out of the transport. He had a bad feeling—this would be ugly. But such an attack could not be concealed. In fact, he was sure that Godwin intended this attack as a message to all Garrans.

"Bring the boy," he said to Captain Fauke. Fauke, wide-eyed at the destruction ahead of them, quietly complied.

They pulled the Garran from the transport, and checked to make sure his bonds were secure. Koethe motioned for them to follow. Together they set out towards the town.

There were no signs of living Garrans as they approached, only the roar of fires and the smoke from the flames.

Bodies lay strewn about the center of the village, native men still clutching their ooluks; women who looked like they were cut down while fleeing. The sight turned Koethe's stomach. Koethe's men were solemn. They knew what this attack meant, and the chaos that would ensue.

Stunned, the boy followed them through the village. Morrhan looked ill but said nothing, trying to take it all in. Koethe stopped and looked down. At his feet, lay two children, dead. He stared down at the bodies of the dead children with almost as much surprise as Morrhan. He glanced up and for a moment their eyes locked. Koethe looked away first, ashamed.

This was not the kind of war he wanted to fight. Not this way.

Ahead, Koethe spotted the olive green and black of General Godwin and his imperial officers. Clearing his mind of all his anger, Koethe led his contingent toward them. His inclination was to punch the man, but he wouldn't do that.

"There you are," said General Godwin as Koethe approached. Koethe had to quell his violent urges.

"General Godwin," said Koethe, his voice tight with tension. "When someone makes use of my troops, I feel I should be notified of it."

The General barely gave him a glance. "You were too preoccupied. Measures had to be taken."

Again Koethe felt a flush of anger. Was he so close to being relieved of command that the General would dare treat him like this?

On seeing the native, Morrhan, the General walked past Koethe to Morrhan.

Godwin studied the boy. "We know the location of many of the clan homes, including your own—the Sand Plain Clan—isn't it?" Godwin said to Morrhan. "The Garrans are planning a large scale attack against us. What they don't know is that not only do we have enough troops in place to handle their attack, but I've positioned a few special teams near each of the clans caves. When they attack—we will kill their remaining clan members."

This announcement was as much for Koethe's benefit as it was to frighten Morrhan. Koethe and Chief Richt exchanged a glance. This was what he'd feared. Such a plan was vicious and cowardly.

Anger clouded Morrhan's face. He stared up at Godwin. "You can't," said Morrhan. "Your law prevents it."

"We're at war," said Godwin coldly.

"You would kill women and children?" Morrhan's appeal was aimed just as much at Koethe as at the General. Koethe felt a pang of guilt but said nothing.

"If you won't submit to Chanden rule—we will wipe you out!" the General said darkly.

Despair showed on the boy's face as he thought of the clansmen left at home. Many of his clan had already been killed in this conflict. Koethe felt sorry for the boy.

In rage, Morrhan threw himself at the General. It was a useless gesture, as his hands were still bound behind his back. Even so, one of the General's troops shot Morrhan with a stunner. He fell to the ground, barely consciousness.

The General towered over him. "Take him back to the bunker," Godwin ordered. "I want to question him."

Perhaps the order was meant for Godwin's men, but Koethe would be damned if Godwin went over his head again. Morrhan was his prisoner. And his daughter's life was at stake. "Captain Fauke," ordered Koethe.

Quickly, Fauke moved forward to secure the boy.

"Yes, sir," Koethe said carefully to General Godwin. Let him think that he would carry out the order. It worked. Fauke and his men picked up the boy. Together they all moved back to the transport, past the Garran corpses.

"You're going to do what he asks?" questioned Chief Richt quietly as they moved through the desolate and burning village.

"Certainly," said Koethe. "I left something there that I'll need. After that ... I'll be damned if I let this fool destroy all that I've worked for here on Garran."

Both Richt and Fauke looked a little relieved. Their disapproval of this deadly attack was clear. They would support Koethe.

They loaded the unconscious boy in the back of Koethe's hover plane. He had passed out, no doubt overwhelmed. The boy might deserve punishment for his rebellious acts, but this went beyond justice. To wipe out entire clans for the actions of their warriors—it was unacceptable.

Those that lived would never trust the Chanden again.

Koethe wouldn't have innocent blood on his hands.

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