Chapter Nineteen:

Goraban's Gift

"General," said an aide, "Incoming transmission!"

Goraban walked to the command post. As he entered, every officer in the room snapped to attention. He looked to the screen and saw Afrin and Akula, who had been addressing the assembled officer corp. Afrin turned to Goraban and spoke.

"My friend, it's been quite a while since our journey."

"Indeed, Patriarch, it has been."

"Everyone else seems to have been rewarded though... And you have not been forgotten," said Akula.

"General Goraban," continued Afrin, "Here is your reward for your services: The herd Relendiac. Patriarch Goraban, these are your officers. They will assist you in the defense of Indosyne."

"Also," said Akula, "If we triumph at Chilaquand, another honor will be yours. At our signal, move on Haldiar and crush resistance."

"Understood," replied Goraban. "Afrin, Akula? Give my regards to our joker friend. En Elder Higenti!"

"Good luck, Patriarch!"

The screen flickered off, and turned to his officers.

"Alright," said Goraban, "Go about your duties, and reconvene here at dusk. I will choose the elders then. Dismissed."

The officers, various high-ranking members of other herds, filed out. Goraban's aide handed him a sheet of paper.

"This just arrived."

Goraban looked at the paper and groaned. "Suligan..."

"At least he noticed," said another voice.

"Descantes!"

Allysulia-Major-Descantes walked into the room. "Captain? Leave us."

"Yes sir," said the aide, leaving the room.

"Congratulations, Patriarch. It's been a while since we last served together."

"Indeed. Eight years have passed since Anegon, and much has passed."

"I've been assigned to help you, my friend."

"Excellent. Someone I can trust. I've found my first general, because your skills would be wasted as an elder. Besides, you're not old enough."

Descantes roared with laughter. "I agree. Much of my time has been spent designing defenses for the cities of Indosyne."

"Relenda is all we have the manpower to defend."

"Maybe not. I think I could defend Ali-en-Vasa easily with a few hundred."

"Very well then," said Goraban. "Captain? Get Descantes a transport and four hundred troops."

Descantes and the captain left the room, leaving Goraban alone. He turned his attention to a screen showing the various troop positions in Relenda. Descantes was heading towards the spaceport, but his attention was drawn north. There was... nothing there.

"General Ashto!"

"Patriarch?"

"Get your troops to the north side, I think we have Adepts!"

"Again?"

"Yes. Quickly, and quietly. Goraban, out."

Relendiac-General-Ashto was a valued member of Goraban's staff. He served in Anegon, but didn't really make a name for himself. Instead, his fame was won on Balecroft, where he achieved the rank of major, and became par with Akula.

Akula's destiny was much higher, and the High General was now at Chilaquand, with Ashto in his place. Ashto was also promoted, and now was a general. Ashto disliked the role of a peacetime officer, and preferred to lead his troops himself. It would be routine, if anything with Adepts could be routine.

The northern section of Relenda was eerily quiet.

"They're here," muttered Ashto.

"Pardon, General?"

Ashto didn't answer. Instead, he took a weapon, and fired around a corner, decimating a group of Renegade Adepts.

"Stay alert!" he called.

The battle was joined as Matt led a desperate charge against and equally surprised Ashto.

"Hold your ground!" Ashto commanded, setting into the style of Balecroft. Many of his troops fell as Matt's squad unleashed a barrage of Psyenergy.

Matt knew now that this was not the same officer that he faced days ago. Ashto was more cautious, trying to find a delicate medium between the styles of Frontain and Balecroft. Ashto jammed his transmitter.

"Patriarch! I need some help!"

"Cando is en route. Djibon and Ranti are tied up in the south!"

"Pincer motion?"

"Yes. Fall back to Grid Seven! There are more divisions there!"

"Agreed." He turned to his troops. "Fall back!"

Matt saw Ashto starting to retreat, and followed. There was activity behind him, and Matt turned to see Cando and Descantes behind him."

"Only one way," he called. "Follow me!"

He ran into the central plaza, only to find every other entrance blocked.

"We've been tricked!"

The last exit had been blocked.

"No surrender," said Matt. "We fight to the last man."

The Battle for Relenda was under way.