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had served under him. It would reflect well on the family. His craft would
make a large and tempting target as it trundled down the canyon. Normally it
would be screened and defended by slider outriders, but he had lost so many
soldiers in the failed attempt to take the valley that the craft would be
forced to proceed without benefit of escorting fire. It would be futile, he
calmly decided, to try and disguise the command vehicle s progress, which
would show up on even primitive monitors. He would order offall nonessential
personnel. They could double up on attack sliders and transport cars. If the
command vehicle made the run first and headed directly for the
Crigolit positions, the move might confuse the enemy. At the very least it
would draw their initial response. Heavily shielded, it could deflect fire
that would down a slider instantly. If the diversion was successful, it ought
to open a brief escape window for the rest of his command.
It might also be recognized for the ploy that it was. A thousand years of
combat had given both sides a good idea of what tactics the other was likely
to employ. He was being too hard on himself. There were only so many strategic
variations possible in a given situation. As field commander it was incumbent
on him to analyze and direct. If the diversion resulted in the escape of only
a few more of his people than otherwise, it would be well worth the effort.
Soon he would be with Jaruselka on the other plane of existence. Whatever that
was. If it existed. It would not be a bad thing to die issuing orders intended
to save others. At least he would not perish outside, in the unending rain.
His call for volunteers to crew the
command craft was rapidly oversubscribed. They made what preparations they
could in the limited time available. There was little time for farewells.
directives went out over those portions of the field communications system
which had not yet been damaged by invasive Amplitur bacteria.
Support poured explosives on enemy positions ahead and to the rear. No words
were spoken inside the command craft as the skeleton crew dwelt on final
thoughts. Chronometers counted down.
Soon it was time to move.
The lumbering vehicle rose above the tops of the sheltering trees and pivoted
westward, all shields and weaponry activated. The canyon was dark with
swirling clouds of granite dust and the debris of pulverized vegetation. That
would not be enough to shield them from enemy detectors, Caldaq knew. But the
release of energy which would commence as soon as the command craft was
engaged by Crigolit forces would help to screen the sliders carrying his
surviving troops as they bolted for safety.
Any reaction? he inquired.
No, sir. A single composed subofficer was doing her best to evaluate
detection and surveillance reports that were normally monitored by three
specialists. Caldaq was not surprised. The report had said that the Crigolit
force was well dug in. They would be in no hurry to emerge until they were
certain the bombardment had ceased.
They never saw where the first missile came from.
It struck rear left, taking out a main thruster and cutting their
maneuverability by nearly a third. Smoking and listing to one side, the
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command craft began to curve across the valley.
Caldaq hung onto his chair. Adjust right rear thruster to compensate.
Sir, that will slow us considerably, said the technician in charge.
At maximum thrust this machine is already too slow. Do it! The subofficer
gestured acknowledgment but said nothing as he struggled to comply.
We must look strange to the enemy, hovering here in plain sight, hardly
moving, he thought. It might confuse them more effectively than the most
exquisite maneuver. Indeed, the anticipated response was not forthcoming.
Instead, a long pause was followed by a single, surgically placed missile
which struck the command craft amidships.
It was sufficient to knock out all but a single remaining thruster. Deprived
of support and forward motion the skid began a slow descent. Through the acrid
smoke that filled the room he saw that they would probably land hard but
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