When War Calls(154)

‘He is not part of this council,’ said Yahtai.

‘What difference does it make?’ asked Hayden. ‘We’re going east. That’s the end of it!’

‘If there is confusion,’ added Alkon, ‘it might be wise to allow your people to decide for themselves. I have said all I need to for now. Once I have refuelled, I’m leaving. I will see those of you who choose to come east when you arrive.’ He turned to Hayden and the man next to him. ‘My friends, I must get there as soon as possible. I am months late already.’

‘It was a pleasure,’ said Hayden with a final shake of Alkon’s hand and quick embrace.

Alkon then shook the other man’s hand and bowed to the others before leaving.

‘Well, Yahtai,’ said Hayden. ‘If you are going to be difficult, perhaps we should let the people decide.’

Yahtai considered the offer. ‘If it means you will not attempt to persuade us any further, then I accept.’

‘Very well,’ said Hayden, and he picked up the radio device within his vehicle. ‘People of Waikor, we have a decision to make.’

‘Hold the button in, you clown!’ said Yahtai.

‘What? Oh, yes, said Hayden, realising he had not activated the microphone. ‘People of Waikor, there are two directions we can now take. There is one you should not, and one you should.’

Yahtai tried to interject at the bias, but was pushed away by Hayden.

‘There are those that are going to make a stand with the Resistance at Corsec. This is throwing away your life. Do not choose this one,’ continued Hayden, waving away Yahtai, who insisted as loud as he could that it was not true. ‘Your other option is to come east to the greatest nations on the planet. This is the good one. Choose it. From there, we will join with our brothers and sisters, and we show the Alliance who the most powerful people are!’

Yahtai’s voice soon came over the radio, as he had jumped back to his vehicle and used his own transmitter.

‘There is equal risk in either option. I, with others, will make a stand at Corsec with the Resistance. I do not believe for a second that we should allow the Alliance to take control of Aurialis while we run to Equadon. Those of you who wish to come north, please move to the front. Those who wish to go east, remain behind.’

‘Yes, all three of you going north come forward now so that I may slap some sense into you,’ said Hayden.

‘Enough, Hayden,’ said Yahtai. ‘You know, I almost didn’t believe you could become any more of a child. And now I’ve seen you drink.’

Hayden made a face as he opened and shut his left hand rapidly, as if to mimic Yahtai talking.

‘What of the Daijuar?’ asked Lendon suddenly.

Both Daijuar had remained quiet, sitting in the outer band of the Waikorian council.

‘We are needed in Corsec,’ answered Blair.

‘We will go east after the battle is lost or won,’ said Adonis.

‘I will go with you,’ said Lendon.

‘As will I,’ said Yahtai.

‘I still choose to follow Hayden,’ said Anthon.

‘I will go with Hayden and Anthon,’ said Owen, head of scientific research at Waikor.

‘I will go with the Daijuar,’ said Tony, caretaker of the southern district.

‘Then that is all there is to it,’ said Lendon. ‘Good fortune to us all. Our fate will soon be revealed.’

All in the council agreed, and when all who wished to go on to Corsec had moved to the front, they said their final words to one another before they left. Hayden approached Yahtai last.

‘You are making a mistake,’ he said, ‘but I would be lying if I said I have not enjoyed our bouts. Again, sometime?’

‘I should hope so,’ said Yahtai.

‘The Alliance is not to be underestimated. The Resistance has position and numbers, but they do not have the cunning. At Corsec, you are about to fight in the biggest battle of World War IV to date. The Alliance is on its way. Be careful, old friend.’

Yahtai bowed. ‘You as well,’ he said.

And with a final nod to one another, they went their separate ways.





Chapter Twenty-Eight





The weapon created is not always the tamed beast anticipated.





March 20, 997 R.E.





‘Get behind us!’ yelled Adonis, his shield ignited against the Alliance attack.

The giant white sphere flared brightly in the orange dusk, missiles and gunfire all being repelled or disintegrated upon contact.

As they had said they would, Adonis and Blair accompanied the band that had chosen to go north to fight in Corsec, and now the two Daijuarn sentinels protected the people from an ambush. If not for Blair’s quick reflexes, there would have been hundreds of casualties already, as a missile had been launched at a group of trucks. There was no panic among the people of Waikor or Ceahlin, the Daijuarn shields having a calming effect on them as they positioned themselves to return fire. All that could not fight were retreated while those with weapons were brought forward. Much of the military apparatus had been kept at the back of the travelling band, as they had anticipated being quite far ahead of the Alliance forces, so if an attack was to come, it would have been from behind them. But this was not a full Alliance force, and they had somehow managed to flank them without detection.