‘I believe you are right to question it,’ said Liet after some consideration. ‘The light appeared to come straight from the ground rather than move outward from a central force. It seems to fit … do you think it was him?’
‘If it was, he is not the adversary we were assured. My explanation to the High Council for why we used such force against a helpless village may not be understood.’
‘We had to be sure we were prepared,’ offered Liet.
Alkon nodded, ‘There was a report of burned guards that were holding an old man prisoner. There is a chance he escaped to raise the shield. Perhaps he let the shield down to save himself. ’
‘And the earthquake?’
‘He is perhaps as lucky as he is powerful. Without it, he would not have escaped.’
Without another word, Alkon walked forward, through the Callibrai and to the other side of the field to a second group of temporary buildings. Outside the first was a dark figure of a man, hidden under the hood of a maroon raincoat and nursing his left arm in a sling. He stood tall, even in the presence of the two commanders, and gave no sign of acknowledgement as they reached him.
‘Where is your companion?’ asked Alkon.
‘He fell,’ came the man’s simple reply.
‘What happened to your arm?’ asked Liet, a slight note of interrogation in his voice. ‘You were not present at the battle.’
The man lowered his already hidden eyes further, ‘There was a disagreement.’
‘You speak in puzzles, my friend,’ said Alkon warmly. ‘They are not necessary here. Remember, you have done us a great service. We are in your debt.’
‘All for the Alliance,’ the man bowed.
‘May its reign be eternal,’ Alkon agreed. ‘Come now, I wish to introduce you to the superior officers with whom you will be working. I would suggest wiping away the rest of those tomato seeds first. As long as you maintain their respect, if ever you are in need, you may call on their services.’
‘I will.’
The man’s words were blunt, as if his decision was enough to conclude the conversation. He moved to the side, allowing Alkon to walk by him and through the door.
Inside this building was a single plain room with a long crescent desk at the back, paper and writing equipment strewn across it. Eleven men in dark gray uniforms sat on the opposite side, all talking amongst themselves. They silenced as Alkon walked to the centre, where he waited for Liet and the hooded man to take seats at the end of the table before he addressed them all.
Alkon glanced over the room quickly in acknowledgement of those in attendance. ‘The mission has so far been a success,’ he began. ‘Congratulations are in order to all of you. Your families will be well rewarded.’
The men nodded approvingly. It was written in law that all who served under their rule would have their families rewarded according to their rank. It had been years since the men present had been able to achieve a substantial offering from the High Council, the stalemate between the two most powerful forces on the planet causing tension on both sides and limiting victories for each, but those times were now changing, and the men could sense it.
‘In the coming days, we must build supplies until we are ready to move north,’ Alkon went on. ‘Our fight against the Resistance may soon be at an end. Now that we have entrance to Aurialis by land, we can attack Corsec city from all sides, without obstruction from the Diadon fleets.
‘But do not be fooled. The obstacles we face are still great and many. There are powerful nations in these lands that oppose us. General Xosis Tigon has taken the more difficult of the two routes to Corsec, so it is imperative we are victorious in ours.
‘I will not tolerate failure. Be precise in every order, disciplined in every action. Your lives depend on your abilities. Is that understood?’
All those around the table, other than Liet and the hooded man bowed slightly.
‘Good. Major Rikta,’ Alkon looked at the man sitting at the very edge of the table, opposite the entrance. ‘I trust you have seen to the installation of the Equan R.I.D. Towers?’
‘Yes, General.’
‘Then the Resistance will not be able to track us. Many of you have wondered at our choosing of this place so far from our objectives. The answers are simple. First, this valley provides us with security. The mountains act as a natural fortress. We may only be attacked from the same way we entered. But our safety will not remain. In the near future, a matter of weeks or months, we may be discovered. I want this unit prepared. Your next orders are to complete drills daily. Keep the men active. Post guards at the entrances and send scouts out to ensure nothing is able to get in without detection.