Children of Steel Read online

  "Don't be such a wimp," she winked, "come on, they just secured the Spaceport and we're moving our operations there." She started walking back to a tent on the side of the clearing. We all followed.

  "How is the operation going?" Asked Rudy.

  "Pretty good actually," we walked inside the tent. "Here grab these," she handed us some cases. "And take this comm unit too." she passed me a long range radio, I hung it around my neck and grimaced. I still hurt.

  "Is this all?"

  "Most of it, everybody else left already. I was left here to wait for you guys and the Captain. Go put that in the truck and come back for another load."

  I did as she asked, there really wasn't much left, and by the time we had it all loaded the Captain was moving out his people, so we just joined the end of the column.

  "I talked with the specialists at the crash site just before you guys arrived," she told us, "They got one of the ground effects vehicles working and are taking that with a few of the lighter artillery pieces. We're going to have to divert an Assault shuttle if we want to get anymore out of there."

  "That was pretty quick," I replied lying down in the back of the truck, "I thought they'd be there for a long time yet. Ahhh"

  "That stuff can take a lot of punishment," put in Rysan, who had just been following along until now, "And you only gave it one good shock, didn't roll it or burn it."

  "It's nice to know I did something right." I smiled, feeling a lot better now that I was flat on my back.

  "How's the back?" Asked Rudy.

  "Better now that I can rest."

  "How bad is it?" asked Katrine concerned.

  "Hurts like hell, but the medic said it should be better in a few days. If I can see a real doctor maybe they can fix it sooner, I don't know."

  The ride to the spaceport went pretty quick. It was only about twenty miles down the road, and there were no obstacles along the way. We pulled in and headed for the main terminal building. It wasn't much really, just a two story building with an observation tower next to it. There were a few hangers there too, one of which was pretty well blasted.

  We all followed Katrine inside, the sergeant grabbing a couch in the lobby and crashing.

  "I'll wait here if you don't mind sirs," he said.

  "Suit yourself," I said.

  We followed Katrine further inside and found ourselves in the ground command center.

  "Ah Raj, glad to see you're still alive," said Balizar, coming over to shake my hand. "I was afraid we might have lost you there!"

  "Thanks sir," was about all I could think of to say. I was surprised to see him down here; I guess it was going well.

  Rudy and I sat in a corner and watched. Katrine had a couple of soldiers carry in the equipment and sat down at the radio and started working on the map that was spread on the table. Rudy and I looked at each other and shrugged, then just watched the map.

  We could see the battle lines quite clearly. The mine heads were secured already and it appeared that a prison camp had been liberated too. The big battle was going on at the central complex, or at least it would be.

  "Why don't they just give up and negotiate terms?" I asked Balizar. That was pretty much the way these things went, once somebody had a definite advantage and was going to win anyway, they surrendered. After all, we were all just doing our jobs and they had clearly lost. Why lose anymore than you had too?

  "Probably because they don't want to have anything to do with animals!" He spit the last word out distastefully, but continued nastily, "Or maybe it's that we're not taking prisoners."

  "What do you mean by that?" I asked alarmed.

  "It seems that the occupying force is made up totally of humans," answered Katrine, "and they seem to be very anti morph too."

  "That's not the half of it. They executed about half of the males, both animan and human. They were using the survivors to work the mines, women, children, whatever. And torturing anybody who gave them trouble," Balizar continued. "So the troops are so mad they're not excepting any surrenders. The Captain is royally pissed about that, and is coming down soon himself."

  I was flabbergasted; I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Especially that the Captain would enter the combat zone, he was the ultimate company authority here, to risk himself was unbelievable. I just sat down and watched. They continued to move markers, and designate zones of fire.

  I could see from the tally sheets there were about fifty out of action on our side, and probably about three hundred on the enemies. It also appeared that there were about another six hundred of them holed up in the command area. From what I could see of the markings on the map, they had been pushed back into that position from the spaceport and their barracks.

  I also noticed that they only had markers for six Assault shuttles; I wondered what had happened to the other two. Balizar, Katrine, and the three other personnel working the center started to get busy then and from what I could overhear Balizar saying to the Colonel, I assumed a major push was starting. I decided to clear out and see if I could find a doctor.

  "Don't stray too far," said Balizar without looking up as I started to leave. "You're going to be part of the Captain's bodyguard, and I want you out there when the shuttle lands!"

  "Yes Sir!" I responded.

  I wandered out into the hall, and walked up to the guard watching the window.

  "Is there any kind of field hospital set up around here?" I asked him.

  "Yeah, in the basement," he looked me over. "You look okay to me though."

  "I want to see if I can get my back fixed before I go back on." I said walking to the stairway.

  I went down the stairs, and entered the hospital. It was a pretty big affair, covering the whole area. I'd say there were only about eighteen people there though. Either most of the wounded hadn't been moved in yet, or things were going exceptionally well. I walked up to one of the doctors.

  "Got a minute Doc?"

  "What's the matter?" he asked, "You look okay."

  "I crashed a shuttle earlier today and my back hurts like hell. The rest of me is pretty sore too."

  "Strip, and come over here." He said walking over to some equipment.

  I got out of my gear as quick as I could, I didn't know how much time I had till the Captain got here. I stood where he pointed; it looked like a portable diagnostic machine. He switched it on and started looking me over with it.

  "I can't stay long Doc, what's the verdict?"

  "A lot of sprains, stretched tendons and ligaments, some muscle bruising, a few slightly compressed disks, and about half your vertebrae have small cracks in them. Lay down on the table here, we'll do this quick and dirty. Nurse!"

  A nurse came over, and he talked with her a minute. The diagnostic machine had printed out a picture of my body with different color marks on it. The nurse came back with four hypo sprayers, and she and the doctor started shooting me all over. It hurt too.

  "What's all this?" I asked trying not to growl.

  "Some bone glue for your back, a localized pain killer for some of the worse spots, a healing agent for some of the others, and an anti-coagulant for the worst bruises. You'll hurt like crazy in five minutes, but in ten you'll feel a lot better. Just try not to lift anything heavy for a day or two." he responded.

  It took them a couple of minutes, and then I was putting on my armor again and grabbing my stuff. I had just got to the top of the stairs when I heard a shuttle taxiing outside; I finished slinging my rifle and headed outside at a jog.

  I got to the shuttle just as it stopped and my pain peaked. Two of the guards from inside had joined me and when the Captain got out another two came with him. We all saluted and I noticed I was the ranking person at that point.

  "Sir, Warrant Third Rakir reporting with the rest of your Bodyguard, Sir." I said, successfully keeping the pain out of my voice.

  "At ease everybody." he said returning our salutes, "Glad to see you're still with us Mister Rakir. Could you show me to Commander
Balizar please?"

  "Yes Sir Captain, Right this way Sir."

  I lead him into the building, the others forming up around him. We had our guns ready and were keeping our eyes moving, this was all the practice we were going to get.

  I showed him into the room and Balizar gave him a quick briefing on any changes that had taken place since he had left the ship. He then called the Colonel and gave him his orders.

  "Well time to go to the front and try talking to these bastards." He looked around for a second, "Pass the word that I think the troops have done an outstanding job so far, and that the leaders of this group are going to have to answer for their behavior."

  He then turned and strode out of the room; I hurried to get in position, and used my helmet comm to find out where our transportation was. I then led the Captain to an armored personnel carrier that must have come down on the other shuttle. I reached over and removed the Captain's rank tabs.

  "What are you doing Mister?" He asked angrily as I put them in my pocket.

  "Sniper's sir, everybody on our side knows who you are. But if the enemy should see your rank, they'll go right for you."

  "Oh," he said mellowing, "I had forgotten about that, too long on a ship I guess. How's my armor look?"

  I gave him the once over, everything was perfect. He may not have seen ground duty in a long time, maybe never. But his armor was excellent.

  "Look's fine sir. Have you seen much ground combat sir?"

  "Actually no, I usually don't get to see the battle ground till after the fighting is over. The only reason I'm here now is to try to get these vermin to stop before I lose anymore people." He looked at the others and me. We were all Leopards; he was the only human around. "I'll be the first to admit that I don't believe in you folks having all the same rights as humans, but you're still people, and still should be treated as such. And I'm not going to spend your lives if I can help it."

  "Do you mind if I ask a question Sir?" My back was feeling better now, and my curiosity drove me to ask a certain question.

  "Sure Warrant, go ahead." He looked directly at me, making eye contact.

  "What about the reports of murder and torture?" I couldn't look away, I really wanted to know his thoughts and where we stood in them.

  "They're true, and I don't like it one bit. Prisoners are prisoners, and shouldn't be murdered or tortured, no matter what they are. That answer your question Warrant?"

  "Yes Sir, I have no problems with that at all Sir." Which was true, I could see the others relaxing too. Maybe it was our upbringing, I don't really know, but I kind of agreed with his feelings. I really didn't want any part of human politics, and I was so used to his point of view I could live with it. I think I even agreed with it. That he was honest about it was also a point in his favor. Someone who hated animen could never have made it in his position anyway.

  The vehicle came to a halt. I checked with the driver, and found out we were at the Colonel's position. So I opened the door and we got out, Captain last, and took up our positions as we escorted the Captain over. The four others took up positions around the trench. I went in with the Captain.

  "Sir, I see you arrived safely," said the Colonel saluting. Shipboard ranks worked a little differently, the Captain was equal to a full Colonel in rank, while the Colonel was actually a Lieutenant Colonel, plus being an animan which usually (but not always) made you a lower rank than an equal ranked human.

  "I'd rather be in my command chair drinking coffee in all honesty Dane, but if you believe they might surrender to a human I'm willing to try it. Did you send over any preliminaries yet?"

  "Yes, I sent over a message capsule a few minutes ago, and set up a video link on a repeater. They shouldn't be able to backtrack it to here with their equipment."

  "Well let’s give it a try and see what goes."

  The Captain opened his visor then, and went over to a small portable video unit. The technician operating it gave a nod, and the Captain started.

  "This is the Captain of the Astra, and Tri-Star Mining and Manufacturing's official representative on this planet, we have you surrounded. In the interest of preventing further loss of life, I would like to negotiate your surrender. I await your reply."

  It didn't take long.

  "We won't talk with any animal lover!" Came a shrill reply, and the image of a Lieutenant.

  "Colonel shell them for five minutes, and see if it changes their minds," the Captain answered coolly making sure the video picked it up.

  The colonel passed the order and the shelling started. After about three minutes, a higher ranking officer appeared on the screen.

  "Please Captain, hold your fire. That was just an overeager subordinate." He explained hastily.

  The Captain nodded to the Colonel, and the shelling stopped shortly thereafter.

  "First sir, let me tell you that I am perfectly willing to have each and everyone of you killed. So don't do that again." said the Captain, "And understand that there will be a trial for your senior officers, and anyone else implicated in the Murder's that took place."

  "We will not be responsible for the death of animals'!" He stated flatly.

  "I seem to recall that quite a few humans were killed as well!" The Captain snapped, "And would you please identify yourself sir."

  "I am Major Hausen, Sir. Colonel Hassenbock's executive officer."

  "Very good Major. Now when would your Superior care to discuss terms of Surrender? I am not a very patient man Major." He said coldly.

  "The Colonel would prefer to discuss terms in person, rather than on this device." I stiffened as he said that, it sounded like a trap. "There is an unoccupied building in no man's land that should suffice?" he asked.

  "I'll agree to a meeting, but I'll pick the place." he said forcibly. "I'll contact you in ten minutes with it. Your Colonel had better be there in another ten, and yourself as well Major." He cut the connection.

  "Dane," he said turning to the Colonel, "I'm going to need a good place for a meeting. One they don't control, and can't easily drop a barrage on." He looked at me then, and smiled. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "Oh, and give your rank tab's to the Warrant here!"

  "Sure thing Captain." he replied with a smile, pulling off his oak leaves and tossing them to me. "Don't lose 'em, they're my lucky set."

  "I'll try not too." I said, replacing my warrant third's rank. I looked at the Captain. "Uh sir, if you could fill me in please?"

  "Easy, I asked for their leader and second in command. They'll expect to see mine there as well. But I'm not so stupid as to actually bring mine, and they don't know what he looks like anyway, so you're it. But we know what they look like from our intelligence," He pulled two photo's from his pocket and showed me. "If this blows up, just make sure you shoot them first!"

  I looked over the photos. One was obviously the Major; the other must have been the enemy Colonel. The pictures looked like they had been official photos. Probably came from an office wall at the Spaceport.

  The colonel came back with a map in a few minutes and pointed out an outside courtyard, that had concrete tables set in it.

  "This is the best we can find Captain," he said. "It's not in either side's artillery range. But we do have a couple squads of soldiers there."

  "Looks okay to me, let's call the Major back. It's early, but I don't want to give them time to come up with a new plan."

  So saying he got the Major back on the link. They agreed to the place, and that only side arms would be allowed. Their Colonel then came on himself.

  "I feel that both of our staffs should be at this meeting, so that we may reach an accord quickly." He said.

  "That sounds fine to me, how many on your staff?" replied the Captain.

  "There are six counting me, and we'll all be there."

  "Fine, that's what my intelligence told me." The Captain continued shrewdly, "We got their pictures from the files in the Spaceport." He paused for a breath, "There will only be four of us; Mysel
f, the commander of the Ground troops, his second in command, and my intelligence Chief. I have no other Staff."

  I had to admit the Captain could lie with out so much as batting an eyebrow.

  "That is acceptable," he grimaced. "I shall meet you there in ten minutes."

  They broke the connection and the Captain turned to two of his bodyguards.

  "You just became Balizar," he said pointing to one, "and you're Major Frankle." He said pointing to the other. "Go and see if you can't get the proper tabs and some side arms, and make it fast."

  They hurried off and I gave my newly acquired rifle to the Colonel's aide. I was going to have find out if it had to go to the previous owner's relatives or not. If not I was definitely planning on keeping it myself. I also gave him the grenades, except for one, which I stuck in my pocket. Just in case mind you.

  We were mounted up and ready to go in a couple of minutes and showed up at the far end of the meeting place just before they did. We were about one hundred yards from the table, and so were they. One of the bodyguards who were staying behind confirmed that the people there matched the pictures by using his binoculars. So I waved a hastily rigged truce flag, and after they did the same, we both approached the table.

  The troopers who had escorted us were about another hundred yards behind. The same was true of the other side's escort. The courtyard itself was partially surrounded by some low buildings. It was a maze of small gardens, fences and other odds and ends. Not a place where reinforcements could just drive in, as all that stuff would make natural tank traps. But it did offer plenty of cover for a hasty retreat.

  There was a clear space of perhaps twenty feet around the table however. So we would be pretty well out in the open, but as the whole place was on a rise I didn't feel that snipers would be a threat. They had had no time to get them in place, and both sides were watching this area now, very closely.

  "Greetings Captain," said the Colonel saluting, "I'm glad to see that the animals still have a keeper."

  I looked over the Colonel's staff. They were all human and really didn't look to be that impressive. I guess that explained the easy victory so far. Both the Colonel's and the Major's equipment were of good quality, but the rest had armor that wasn't even as good as mine.