GALAXY AT WAR - Book 3 - The Seeds Of Discord

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - February 2173 - Tranchilite

CHAPTER SIXTEEN 

February 2173 

Tranchilite

Neil had been given command of a twenty-man squad and sent to find the Razor's Edge unit. First they had visited Sanctuary One bypassing Soofar village which now had medical aid and a number of soldiers patrolling its streets. Sanctuary One was a small underground village roughly half-an-hour, in a shuttle, past Soofar. It was built underground to protect the villagers from the storms and high winds that still plagued the entire planets surface from time to time. 

Neil had found out from the village leader that both Dowdneer and Razor's Edge had visited. Word had got around that Dowdneer was taking what he wanted from whichever village he came across and so the leader had the large steel doors secured until he could identify any visitors. Dowdneer had not got in and had left in a rage. Razor's Edge, however, had confirmed their identity and had left again, four days previously, after collecting a few provisions. 

Neil was now at Sanctuary Two which had been nicknamed 'The Vault' by its inhabitants. The Vault had not been so lucky. Dowdneer had somehow got inside this one leaving few survivors. It seemed to Neil that Dowdneer was leaving a trail on purpose. He looked at the ruined shell of the Razor's Edge shuttle. Twochelope had left yesterday, on foot, with his entire unit. Dowdneer's saboteur had died trying to escape after successfully destroying the shuttle. 

Neil entered the cockpit of his and operated the radio, "This is Neil Bolgon - come in General Zemorphoride." 

'This is General Zemorphoride. What is your situation?' 

"I'm at 'Sanctuary Two' with the wreckage of Lt Col Twochelope's shuttle. His unit is alive and currently following Dowdneer on foot." 

'How far away are you?' 

"He left yesterday sir. We should catch up with him within a couple of hours." 

'What's the situation at Sanctuary Two?' 

"There's only a handful of survivors sir. I feel as though Dowdneer's leading Twochelope into a trap." 

'How did you come to that conclusion 2nd Lt Bolgon?' 

"There were no sightings of him at all after his escape. Now he's leaving a trail a boy scout could follow." 

'You are to catch up with 'Razor's Edge' fast 2nd Lieutenant. Lt Col Twochelope will be in charge when you join him and I'll want a full report from Twochelope when you do find him.' 

"Will do sir. 'Sanctuary Two' will need the same attention as 'Soofar' sir." 

'I'll send out another medical and military unit immediately. Just find Twochelope.' 

"Right sir. I'd better get going." 

Neil left the shuttle and signalled for a Tranchillion soldier, "Tell them help is on the way," Neil let him go. "Sergeant." 

Sergeant Antiwelope hurried over, "Sir." 

"Get the squad ready for departure. We leave as soon as we're ready." 

"Sir," the Sergeant marched away. 

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