"Not at this time, officer." He peered impatiently past her. Regular troops were staring in his direction, unable to restrain their curiosity. Among the modified who were present he recognized the Sub-Unifers Tourmast and Weenn from the Eirrosad campaign. He'd be able to work with them. "You have under your command a young sub-officer named Saguio-aar?"
The thick smoke rendered formalities extraneous. She responded with a thin Ashregan smile. "Your brother's on the second transport skid, sir. If you would like him brought forward, I can ..."
"No. Just making sure of my information. What I would like is for you to resume your advance, officer."
She eyed him evenly. "We're very exposed here, sir. The situation could become . . . active."
He met her stare without blinking. "As you may have heard, Unifer, I'm not exactly a desk soldier. I expect things to get active. As a matter of fact, I'm kind of counting on it. Someone has to strike first."
"Yes, sir."
"I'll let you know if I have any suggestions. In the meantime this is still your squad. I await your actions."
She turned and snapped orders to a subordinate, who cocked his head once to the side in the Ashregan gesture of acknowledgment and began relaying directions via the communicator hung around his neck.
An instant later troops were scrambling to activate floaters as the three skids rose into the smoke-filled air. Ranji turned his own vehicle over to another soldier, opting instead to join the squad commander on board her craft.
The group resumed its cautious advance down the winding channel, sensors wide open and feeling for anything that might smack of enemy defenses. Instruments showed small rapids ahead, and air-repulsion units thrummed a little harder as one vehicle after another surmounted the cataract, bouncing slightly at the bottom.
There was clearer air ahead, and a revelation which Ranji had suspected from the careful study of available maps but which could only be confirmed by on-site observation. The gully did indeed negotiate a course all the way from the mountains to the foothills through the distribution complex itself.
"Camouflage up!" snapped the Squad Unifer. Combined with the drifting haze from the many fires, the diffusion units would help to conceal their presence.
They were close enough to see Weave attack sleds rising from within the enemy compound and accelerating northward. Much nearer still, tall, slim pylons quivered with energy, their presence marking the boundary of the aurora dome. They pulsed like firebrands on the skid's sensor screens.
Unaffected by such artificial constraints, the gully marched on, wending its way into the heart of the distribution complex. In the rainy season it probably ran full, Ranji decided, an impressive torrent filling the cut currently occupied only by a dirty trickle.
The complex had been designed to facilitate specific functions, he knew, of which defense against an extra-planetary assault was not one. Its hastily installed aurora dome would have been set up to stop an attack by skids and floaters. Air-repulsion vehicles. That traveled aboveground.
The technology of modern warfare had become so complicated that sometimes the simplest things were overlooked in the rush to defend against the highly advanced.
If they went in single file on minimum power, it was just possible they might be able to avoid the center's defenses. There would be some downward leakage from the dome, but unless he was completely mistaken about its style of construction their field armor should be able to slough off its effects.
That was essentially what the squad commander proposed. Having long since worked out the details and come to the identical conclusion, Ranji let her ramble on until the time came to bestow his blessings on the plan, which he did without hesitation. After all, their initial aim was the same: to slip safely inside the enemy's defensive perimeter. It was only afterward that their objectives would diverge.
Her subordinates expressed quiet enthusiasm for the plan. Visions of triumph and rapid promotion filled the minds of those gathered in the command skid.
"If we can do this," one of them murmured, "we can change the whole thrust of battle."
Truer than you can know, Ranji thought approvingly.
Of course, the stratagem which had gradually been gathering strength inside him ever since they'd left Under-space might be doomed to failure. His attempt to implement his intentions might well result in the death of Saguio and all their friends in addition to himself. He wouldn't live long enough to shoulder the responsibility of failure.
But he'd waited and stalled and delayed long enough. It was time to act. Consequences would remain forever unforeseen unless he forced the issue. With a little luck he might be the only one to die. He could hardly dare countenance the possibility that he might succeed.
They were working out the line of approach when he vouchsafed an objection. "I hate to point this out—" The Sub-Unifers and their commander looked up at him. "—but there're too many of us." He stirred the hovering projection with a finger. "No way will we be able to slip three transport skids and half a dozen floaters inside unobserved. "
The squad leader glanced at her second-in-command, then back at Ranji. "What do you suggest?"
"The success of this little sortie rides on surprise, not numbers. I think we should go in with the most compact, toughest unit we can condense out of your squad. Nothing against the other troops, but to me that means every soldier who hails from Cossuut. They've had the same training, they know what each other is likely to do in a given situation. We'll have less firepower but better control over it.
"Furthermore, those of us who hail from Cossuut have Human stature if not facial features. If we're spotted inside, the defenders may hesitate before challenging us, a delay of judgment which could prove crucial to our success. Our moving at night can only contribute to their confusion."
"Those who don't participate in the initial attack can be held back as reinforcements or in the event cover is needed for any eventual retreat." She waited for him to finish.
"I want you to take every non-Cossuutian soldier with you on two of the skids and four of the floaters, assume a position halfway back up the gully, and wait."
"Yes, sir," she said uncertainly. "Wait for what, sir?"
Ranji did not hesitate. "Developments."
The squad commander was tapping her nose with a forefinger. "What you say about surprise versus firepower makes sense, sir, but there are no more than twenty or thirty soldiers from Cossuut in my unit. I'm afraid that if you go in with so few you'll achieve surprise but little else." Assertive murmurs rose from her non-Cossuutian subordinates. By their silence Ranji saw that Tourmast and Weenn sided with him.
He hadn't convinced the others, though. If the argument continued and the squad commander remained obstinate, sooner or later someone would think to pass the proposal on to field headquarters. He knew what kind of response that would produce. It would mean the end of everything he'd planned. Nor could he hope to wait for another chance that might not come. He had to convince her.
Staring straight into the female Ashregan's eyes, he tried to will her to his way of thinking. "I understand your concerns but if we don't try this, we'll have wasted a unique opportunity. Either we do it my way or we don't do it at all." He leaned as close as courtesy would allow, trying to utilize his overbearing height. "Surely you see that it has to be done my way?"
She started to reply, caught herself, and blinked. "Yes, of course you are right. It has to be that way. I'm sorry. I just did not see it at first." Her tone was perfectly level as she addressed her bewildered subordinates. "The Field Unifer is right. His is the best way." As Ranji straightened she turned back to him.
"We will position ourselves as you suggest and wait for further orders."
"Good." Though pleased, Ranji was a bit startled at the speed with which she acquiesced. "With fewer troops we can get in and back out that much faster."
"Yes, sir," she murmured agreeably. "Whatever you say, sir."
Thick smoke and the onset o
f a dismal evening combined to conceal the bustle of activity in the gully as soldiers responded to the new orders, changing craft according to whispered directions. When all was done, the two floaters and single transport skid in the forefront of the column held only special troops from Cossuut.
"You're sure you know what to do?" Ranji and the Ashregan squad commander stood up to their ankles in gully mud, enveloped in near total darkness. All suit and vehicle lights had been, turned off lest someone inside the Weave compound spot them moving about.
"Yes, honored Unifer. I am to assume a defensive position and wait for developments."
"Don't forget it." If she thought his emphasis redundant, she chose not to point it out.
With Tourmast and Weenn at his side he watched as the two heavily laden skids and their escorting floaters made their way back up the canyon. They were soon swallowed by the smoke-filled night.
"You sure won her over fast," Tourmast commented.
Ranji gazed in the wake of the last floater. "Not really. My way is the best way."
"Is it?"
He frowned and turned to his friend. "You don't believe in my plan?"
Tourmast essayed the kind of thin Ashregan grin he'd grown up with. "I have my doubts." He glanced at Weenn. "But we believe in you, Ranji. Because of what you accomplished back home. Because of Koba, and Eir-rosad."
Ranji was more shaken than he cared to admit. He'd have to proceed carefully. If he lost the confidence of such as these, it would be they and not the Ashregan squad leader who would bring his unjustifiable tactics to the notice of higher command.
Of course, if it got to that point, it would mean that everything he'd planned and hoped for had failed anyway, and what happened to him would no longer matter. And he knew that if he tried to intimidate Tourmast the way he had the Ashregan, that tough Cossuutian noncom would simply laugh at him. From here on everything had to go smoothly, he knew. There would be no time for involved explanations and no second chances.
Tourmast was right. The squad commander had given in with surprising ease. It was something to think about . . . later.
Saguio ventured an encouraging sign as Ranji and the two noncoms climbed aboard the remaining skid. Ranji found himself wondering what his brother would look like without his genetically engineered cranial ridges and unnaturally expansive eye sockets, with protruding nose and ears and shortened fingers. If everything went according to plan, he might soon have the chance to find out. He kept his expression carefully neutral.
"We will wait until midnight local time," he told his subordinates.
When there was no more time left he gathered his friends and fellow soldiers close around him. Communicators carried his words to those mounted on the pair of flanking floaters outside.
"You should all have been briefed by now. Since they have a lower profile the two floaters will try the gap first, keeping as close to the ground as possible. If they make it through undetected and without damage or injury to those aboard, the rest of us will follow on the skid.
"If the radiation from the aurora dome doesn't fry us through our armor or incapacitate our vehicles, the plan is to keep moving down the gully until it passes close to a structure. At that point those on the floaters will abandon their vehicles and attempt to force an entrance. As we will by then be inside the defensive perimeter the likelihood is strong that individual buildings will not be guarded.
"If entry is successful the rest of us will follow in twos and threes. The one thing we don't want is to bunch up in a large group which could easily attract attention."
A soldier in back gestured for attention. "Your pardon, Unifer, but leaving our vehicles behind means going in without heavy weapons.
"That's right, but remember: if at all possible, we want to capture this facility, not destroy it. We'll be a lot less conspicuous without them and once we're inside it would only inhibit our maneuverability anyway. If things get too tight, we can always return to the gully and bring them on line." He let his gaze rove over his expectant audience.
"I want every one of you to take the attitude .that we're out to avoid a fight." Bemused muttering rose from the group. "No shooting, no killing unless in self-defense. If we can just keep our calm we may be able to stroll into sensitive areas and quietly take over."
"That's not how we did it on Eirrosad." This time the objection came from the center of the group. Ranji didn't waste time trying to identify the speaker.
"This isn't Eirrosad," he reminded them quietly. "It's a civilized world, with much worth preserving. Our goals should include the concept of minimal destruction. Any idiot can fire at anything that moves. It takes a true soldier to know when to pick his shots."
"It's unnatural," said someone else.
The irony of his reply was not lost on Ranji. "You know, you're starting to sound exactly like a bunch of Humans."
No one had a rejoinder for that, the ultimate insult.
"What happens if we do manage to make it inside?"
Weenn said into the ensuing silence. "There'll be illumination. Under lights we look a lot less Human."
"So does our armor," Ranji admitted. "We won't fool anyone who gets close into thinking we're Human, but our shapes are Human enough that at a distance or on first glance they may very well hesitate, and he who hesitates is lost."
Tourmast's gaze narrowed. "That's a Human expression, Ranj."
"Consider the applicability and not the source." Ranji stared at his subordinate and friend, focusing on the facial ridges that no longer looked natural. From experience he knew that they could be removed, but first he had to excise doubt and ignorance, and keep those around him alive long enough to perform the necessary preparatory intellectual and emotional surgery. His revelations would be of little use to the dead.
"This is crazy," Weenn was muttering. "Precisely the sort of thing one would expect from you, Ranji-aar. It also just might work."
"If you pull this off," Tourmast was saying, "you'll be the biggest hero since Sivwon-ouw of Hantarie."
"I'm not interested in herodom. I'm just trying to accomplish the maximum gain with the minimum risk to life." Ranji turned and considered the smoky view forward. "If our latest information is correct, the installation is currently being operated principally by Hivistahm, with Massood and S'van assistance and Massood defenders. There will also be the usual scattering of other species. Doubtless some Human soldiers will be present."
"It doesn't matter if they're all Humans in there," said someone behind him. "We'll handle them, Unifer!"
How much more than your safety I am now charged with none of you can imagine. He checked his chronometer.
"Very well then. It's not time yet. Ready yourselves, and those of you on guns and sensors keep alert. All the enemy has to do to ruin our plans radically is overfly this gully and take one look down."
Between the smoke, fumes, and moonless night, the darkness when they finally began to move was Stygian. Fitfull bursts of light flared occasionally overhead as intelligent shells and missiles expunged one another with joyful determination. Energy beams probed vaporous reaches, singeing atmosphere and soil, seeking enemies. Ranji was a gratified witness to the ballet of destruction: it would make the work of the defenders' detection systems more difficult.
Oblivious to the petty discord of contumacious sentients, a storm blew in from the east. Wind and driving rain stirred the swirling clouds of smoke, putting out fires and driving exposed soldiers on both sides to shelter. Thunder and lightning would serve to further confuse sensitive detectors on both sides. Ranji knew they had to move quickly now. If the gully down which they were traveling filled with runoff from the foothills, his entire plan of action would have to be abandoned. Neither skid nor floaters were designed to operate underwater, much less their occupants.
Everyone held their breath as the first floater eased beneath the lightly glowing wall of the aurora dome. A generating pylon just to the left of the gully gleamed on the pilot's screen, its
lethal outline clear and sharp despite the torrential downpour.
Moments later the second floater followed, powered down to the point where its landing skids dragged in gully-bottom mud. Once on the other side of the charged aerogel dome its pilot pivoted the craft to signify that they had made the transition safely.
The much bulkier, less maneuverable transport skid rose and moved slowly forward, its air-repulsion units functioning at the minimum level necessary to lift it off the surface. Ranji found his attention flicking between the bank of sensors that would scream for attention if the aurora dome began to affect the craft's instrumentation and a rearward-facing detector. At any moment he feared that a wall of water might come rushing down the gully, forcing them upward into dangerous prominence.
But the water level remained unchanged beneath the advancing skid, and the sensors slept on.
Once safely inside the defensive perimeter the three craft regrouped lest even their weak emissions be picked up by the complex's defenders. Tight-beam communicators were not employed. Instead, Weenn passed instructions to the floater pilots by climbing out onto the dripping nose of the transport skid and yelling at them through the rain. Ranji smiled to himself. So much for advanced technology. Its unavoidable drawback was that no matter how clever in design, as soon as you employed it to disturb or otherwise make use of the usable electromagnetic spectrum, some other equally sophisticated device somewhere else could sense its operation. Not so two people chatting back and forth.
Still advancing on minimum power, the three vehicles drove deep into the heart of the energy-distribution complex, following the winding path of the gully. Once everyone tensed as a large freight skid thrummed past just ahead of them, gravid with cargo. As it was not a military vehicle it possessed no sensing equipment of its own, and the crew was intent only on their assigned destination, not the familiar, unremarkable terrain they were crossing. No one looked outside and down, and so the huddled intruders were not seen.