gone.”
“Earth had Xaros, until we beat them,” Torni said. “My home is a very beautiful place, but there aren’t many people left on it.”
“Ancient Pa’lon says no one lives on Dotari anymore. All the Dotok are on spaceships between the stars or here on Takeni. If you can beat the Xaros on your planet, will you do that for us on Dotari? I heard there are seasons, lots of good food to eat and you can see the whole night sky from anywhere, not like living in our canyon,” Caas said.
“I don’t know about that, little one. Let’s get you and your brother someplace safe first, OK?” Red warning lights flashed through the cargo hold. The ship was coming in for a landing. Ar’ri whimpered and snuggled against Torni.
“Almost done, we’ll be in New Abhaile soon,” Torni said.
****
Hale marched down the Destrier’s ramp, his hand up to block the harsh light that greeted him on the landing pad. New Abhaile was set in the middle of the widest canyon on the planet. The towering ramparts of the surrounding cliffs were far enough apart that direct sunlight was a possibility, unlike the perpetual shadow of Galogesvi.
Hale saw the city just beyond the limits of the star port and almost couldn’t believe what he saw. Most of the city was made up of starships, docked on the surface and set into massive frames. Wide stone boulevards connected the ships to each other and formed a lattice of roads throughout the city. Steam crept up around the high roadways, and the slight smell of sulphur tinged the air.
An entire quarter of the city was destroyed, a jumbled mess of stone blocks and wreckage of a once great starship. Smoke rose from a half-dozen small fires in the rubble.
A trio of Dotok, all wearing combat fatigues and body armor around their torsos and shoulders, waited for Hale at the end of the landing pad.
“What a garden spot,” Standish said. He and the rest of Hale’s team had their helmets off; the combination of ambient heat and humidity made it feel like a Bangkok summer to Hale.
“Standish, I don’t know what offends our hosts, so the best course of action for you would be to keep your mouth shut,” Hale said. “Torni, get these civilians tucked away and find the shore party. Get a fresh combat load and hot chow if they’ve got it. Whoever’s in charge of this city is expecting me.”
“Roger, sir,” Torni said.
“Steuben, come with me, please,” Hale said to the Karigole.
Hale broke away from his team as Steuben kept pace beside him.
“Steuben, how much do you know about static defense in an urban environment?” Hale asked.
“Theoretical or practical?”
“Both.”
“I studied the great works of the Karigole battle masters, all two hundred and nine field marshals from the last eighteen thousand years of our recorded history, and I participated in the siege of—” Steuben emitted a series of whistles and clicks that sent Hale’s ears ringing “—beside Kosciusko. I must admit that his knowledge base is far greater than mine.”
“Did you win that siege?”
“I’m alive, aren’t I?”
“Don’t be afraid to pipe up with any good ideas while we’re planning the defense of this city,” Hale said.
“It remains to be seen just how well the Dotok can defend themselves, let alone accept tactical advice,” Steuben said.
Hale raised a hand in greeting to the three Dotok, and they copied the gesture.
“I am Un’qu, head of New Abhaile security,” the lead Dotok said. “Follow me. The Ancient awaits you.” Un’qu ignored Hale as he extended a hand, then turned and walked away.
“I’m Lieutenant Ken Hale, Atlantic Union Marine Corps. What can you tell me about your defenses, about what happened here?” Hale and Steuben followed their escorts down a flight of stone stairs and onto an elevated boulevard almost twenty yards across. Disabled ground cars and trucks had been pushed to the side. Every Dotok on the boulevard with them traveled by foot or by
“Earth had Xaros, until we beat them,” Torni said. “My home is a very beautiful place, but there aren’t many people left on it.”
“Ancient Pa’lon says no one lives on Dotari anymore. All the Dotok are on spaceships between the stars or here on Takeni. If you can beat the Xaros on your planet, will you do that for us on Dotari? I heard there are seasons, lots of good food to eat and you can see the whole night sky from anywhere, not like living in our canyon,” Caas said.
“I don’t know about that, little one. Let’s get you and your brother someplace safe first, OK?” Red warning lights flashed through the cargo hold. The ship was coming in for a landing. Ar’ri whimpered and snuggled against Torni.
“Almost done, we’ll be in New Abhaile soon,” Torni said.
****
Hale marched down the Destrier’s ramp, his hand up to block the harsh light that greeted him on the landing pad. New Abhaile was set in the middle of the widest canyon on the planet. The towering ramparts of the surrounding cliffs were far enough apart that direct sunlight was a possibility, unlike the perpetual shadow of Galogesvi.
Hale saw the city just beyond the limits of the star port and almost couldn’t believe what he saw. Most of the city was made up of starships, docked on the surface and set into massive frames. Wide stone boulevards connected the ships to each other and formed a lattice of roads throughout the city. Steam crept up around the high roadways, and the slight smell of sulphur tinged the air.
An entire quarter of the city was destroyed, a jumbled mess of stone blocks and wreckage of a once great starship. Smoke rose from a half-dozen small fires in the rubble.
A trio of Dotok, all wearing combat fatigues and body armor around their torsos and shoulders, waited for Hale at the end of the landing pad.
“What a garden spot,” Standish said. He and the rest of Hale’s team had their helmets off; the combination of ambient heat and humidity made it feel like a Bangkok summer to Hale.
“Standish, I don’t know what offends our hosts, so the best course of action for you would be to keep your mouth shut,” Hale said. “Torni, get these civilians tucked away and find the shore party. Get a fresh combat load and hot chow if they’ve got it. Whoever’s in charge of this city is expecting me.”
“Roger, sir,” Torni said.
“Steuben, come with me, please,” Hale said to the Karigole.
Hale broke away from his team as Steuben kept pace beside him.
“Steuben, how much do you know about static defense in an urban environment?” Hale asked.
“Theoretical or practical?”
“Both.”
“I studied the great works of the Karigole battle masters, all two hundred and nine field marshals from the last eighteen thousand years of our recorded history, and I participated in the siege of—” Steuben emitted a series of whistles and clicks that sent Hale’s ears ringing “—beside Kosciusko. I must admit that his knowledge base is far greater than mine.”
“Did you win that siege?”
“I’m alive, aren’t I?”
“Don’t be afraid to pipe up with any good ideas while we’re planning the defense of this city,” Hale said.
“It remains to be seen just how well the Dotok can defend themselves, let alone accept tactical advice,” Steuben said.
Hale raised a hand in greeting to the three Dotok, and they copied the gesture.
“I am Un’qu, head of New Abhaile security,” the lead Dotok said. “Follow me. The Ancient awaits you.” Un’qu ignored Hale as he extended a hand, then turned and walked away.
“I’m Lieutenant Ken Hale, Atlantic Union Marine Corps. What can you tell me about your defenses, about what happened here?” Hale and Steuben followed their escorts down a flight of stone stairs and onto an elevated boulevard almost twenty yards across. Disabled ground cars and trucks had been pushed to the side. Every Dotok on the boulevard with them traveled by foot or by
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