The Icarian Legacy Collected Edition: Brave Souls - First Strike (Volume 3) (103 page)

He gave the order to start with work at once.

He knew he had a few days before the enemy launched a counter attack. And he planned to be ready to meet them once again.

He sent a runner back with orders to receive reinforcements from Ksamona. And he also proposed a plan to build as many fortifications and bunkers on the road back. He planned to perform a fighting retreat and delay the enemy for as long as he could.

As he saw Garth approaching he smiled and went out to greet him…

                                               CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ahura Sac watched the unfolding disaster. He was shocked by the utter disasters that befall his men. He lost one hundred and five thousand men. Ten whole divisions and two legions were shredded.

Hi already gave the order for the other divisions to be sent forward and for the ones still on the ships to do the same. Kobark was expecting his report and he was well aware that he will probably lose his head.

He wondered what he did wrong.

He was sure that his units gave the best they had. And yet they suffered a disaster. It was the worst defeat the Argara suffered in centuries.

He saw one of his guardsmen entering his bunker.

“Sir we have several rebels that were captured before they counterattacked.”

He rose and looked at the warrior.

“Bring them to me.”

The warrior stayed quiet for a second.

“Sir we can’t, not now, we have heavy armored rebel forces advancing on our position from all sides, as well as reports for several large rebel formations in our rear. We have  several shuttles ready and waiting ten leagues out.”

He stayed quiet for a moment making a decision.

“Take them with us. We need them for questioning about the units we face and about their defenses. Kill only those we can’t save.”

“Yes my lord.”

As the warrior exited Ahura stared hard at the map showing the positions of his forces.

There was no way to salvage this, not until his fresh forces arrived.

He smiled at that thought. They wouldn’t be his. He wondered who his successor will be. Who ever he was he wished him luck. He was sure that he would need it.

He marked the new positions for his troops in the areas he was sure were cleared of rebel forces and sent the new command.

Then he left for his vehicle.

Moments later he and his small group started moving.

Just three of the rebels were taken. Two were humans and one was Illian.

Rivers watched as the strange aliens loaded the prisoners in one of the strange looking trucks.

He knew from the report he got from Ellis that these were the aliens that attacked his forces. He knew that Beta Gamma and delta lost six men. Six friends he knew for years were gone forever.

He felt anger but not much. He felt the loss but he knew that death was a reality in their profession. And they all died good.

They destroyed a whole brigade from the motherfuckers.

His rage wasn’t for their deaths. It was because of the deaths he saw here in the base the past two days as prisoners were slaughtered for food.

For these creatures the other races were just cattle.

He hated the dacarians for what they represented but these creatures they were just a vermin that he had to destroy.

He looked at Anderson.

“Ellis and his team are already in position. I think it’s time we joined the fight as well.”

Anderson didn’t say anything he just nodded. As Rivers turned he just raised his hand. The rest of the team rose from their positions and moved out. They all knew the route the enemy will take. And the best place to lay a trap.

Ellis watched as Rivers and his men took their positions. The C4 was already in place. And Flint and Smith had the RPG’s.

Jenkins informed them that the Argara had prisoners. He knew the vehicle the strange looking armored trucks these aliens used.

They all knew what they did with the prisoners. They all witnessed it in the past few days. Now Ellis and his team were sure that saving all those civilians was the right thing. The dacarians were merciless but these species were the real monsters, the real beasts.

He signaled that they ready and then they all sat down for the short wait.

Several minutes later they heard the noise as the vehicles approached.

There were seven vehicles. Three trucks filled with troops, one armored truck that carried the prisoners and three armored cars. He could have guessed that the third in line right behind the prisoner truck was the one the commander was in.

It was larger and better armored. He noticed Flint aiming at it.

As the first armored vehicle and truck entered the trap he activated the C4 they laid on the path. That and the mines they set blew the vehicles. They both rose high and flipped to the sides. Bodies flew from the truck, most of them dead. At the same moment four stingers hit the other vehicles. The second armored vehicle stopped dead in its tracks and started burning. The command vehicle was thrown to the side of the track and it hit a tree.

The other two stingers hit the two remaining trucks totally destroying them. Only few of the aliens survived and they were all killed in seconds by the snipers.

The Anderson, Rivers, Flint, Kelly and Luis went for the vehicle carrying the prisoners. The aliens inside made their job easy as they spilled out of it and were quickly dispatched with head shots. Ellis and his team went for the command vehicle. They could see that it was heavily damaged and that most of the occupants were dead.

There were five of them total, the two drivers and three in the back. The drivers were dead.

He knew the face of the enemy commander. They saw him several times as they observed the enemy base in the last few days. Without any word Flint and Smith shot the other two. Ellis was sure that they were already dead or dying from the wounds so this was a mercy for them. Something they didn’t deserve.

He dragged the commander out. He was bleeding from a nasty cut to his head and it was obvious that his hand and leg were broken, in the case of the leg in several places.

As he looked at him Ellis just smiled and pulled his knife. He stabbed him in the leg and the aliens screamed.

Ahura screamed as the human stabbed him in the open wound in his leg.

The human just smiled.

“No please. Stop, kill me.”

“Answer what I will ask you and I will.”

Ahura just nodded. The pain was unbearable and but the wounds were not deadly. He knew that if they wanted they could torture him for hours, and he was certain that he was dead. There was no chance that they would let him go.

And no matter what they wanted to know he was sure that the next attack would shatter the resistance.

“How many more of your troops are on this world and how many legions will attack next?

How many legions?”

The human repeated the question and as he did he stabbed him again.

He didn’t scream this time but he knew what would follow.

“Fourteen of my people’s divisions and twelve more legions. They will use them all.”

Ellis looked at the alien. He doubted that he was lying him. And before he could make his decision the alien just confirmed it.

“There is nothing you could do to stop them human. They will bombard you from space and then sweep over the survivors.”

Ellis turned and saw Rivers watching him. Rivers just nodded. Ellis rose and shot the alien in the head.

Varo woke up and as he heard the shots and explosions outside. He saw the two argara getting out and jerking back as they were shot. He could see that they were dead. A moment later a human appeared. He recognized him at once as one of the scouts from Earth. The human entered and checked the chains. Then he rose and got out without a word.

Varo saw him checking the dead Argara for keys and he saw him taking them from one.

Then he entered the vehicle and unlocked them.

They all followed him out.

He noticed Amelianus and Azara watching him. Azara wasn’t from his unit but he saw the way Varo led his battalion in the battle.

It was obvious that they would follow him.

He heard the general’s answer.

He knew that what he said was true.

And he knew that many of the forward units would be destroyed in the next few hours.

“Are you three okay?”

He turned as he heard the question.

“I’m Rivers.”

Varo nodded.

“We know sir. We saw you when you passed our lines and headed towards Ksamona. And we were informed about the changes in our strategy that you proposed. I dare say they were changes my general liked but didn’t agree with all of them, especially the part where he lost two thirds of his units.”

Rivers smiled. He expected that.

He turned towards Anderson.

“Well I guess there are some things that are universal. Every general is the same asshole.”

Anderson smiled. So did the others.

Varo looked at them with surprise.

He didn’t understand what they said and didn’t dare to ask.

He turned and picked up a weapon from the dead Argara. Amelianus and Azara did the same.

“We need to get back to our troops sir.”

“Yes Azara. I believe the general should know what the Argara told them. And I would sure like to know how many people from my battalion survived.”

Azara looked at him.

“Not many sir. You saved the battle for us but you paid a heavy price.”

Varo nodded.

He turned and looked at their saviors. They were dressed in strange uniforms, but uniforms perfect for this jungle. He could see why the enemy had trouble finding them.

“Thank you for what you did.”

“Nothing to it…”

“My name is Varo sir.”

Then he pointed to the other two.

“That is Azara and this is Amelianus.”

Rivers nodded.

“Where will you go now sir?”

Rivers smiled.

“As far away from here as possible son, if what that bastard said was true no one would want to be here in the next few days.”

Varo nodded.

“And we need to get back to our division.”

Rivers nodded.

“I think you know the way back. And there are some rebel units moving this way. But inform your general of what will come. I think he’d like to know.”

Varo smiled.

“He knows. He might be a little crazy but he is one of the best we have.”

Rivers and the others nodded. They all witnessed the battle. They knew how crazy and audacious the plan was, and how perfectly it was conducted. For a division and units attached to it to react so precise and to fight so well they had to have a great man leading them. A man they trusted.

“After pulling a stunt like that he sure is kid. Glad he’s on our side.”

They al smiled at Jenkins comment.

“Very well son. We all better be on our way. Give my congratulations to your commander. He did good, you all did.”

Varo nodded.

“I will and good luck to you. I hope to see you again one day.”

Rivers nodded.

“I hope that too Varo, and your friends as well. Just make sure you stay alive. Survive for a few more months’ son. That is all you need.”

“We will do our best.”

After this Varo turned and his two men followed him.

Rivers watched him go.

“I really hope that kid survives what is coming. What he did in the battle…”

He looked at Doc.

“He has that magic touch doesn’t he?”

“He sure does boss. If he survives this war he could go far. And I’m sure that we will need soldiers and commanders like him if we want to win this war.”

Rivers nodded.

Then he turned.