GALAXY AT WAR - Book 3 - The Seeds Of Discord

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - February 2173 - Tranchilite

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 

February 2173 

Tranchilite

Bernis Bowerphille dropped next to Neil, "Sir - we need to get Lt Col Twochelope back home. There's nothing we can do for him here." 

"It may be dark but they'll be using visual enhancement equipment," Neil looked through his night-vision binoculars at Dowdneer's camp set in the valley wall. "Anyone carrying him to the shuttle would be cut down in seconds."  

He saw the odd movement here and there amongst Dowdneer's soldiers. He had managed to trap them there and set up a forward defensive position to keep them contained. As it worked out, Dowdneer had the perfect cover. It was almost as if he had planned it. Neil lowered the binoculars and contemplated their situation. 

What if he had planned this whole thing? That is an excellent defensive position. And that laser must have already been there. He raised them again quickly scanning Dowdneer's camp and the surrounding area. No sign of movement away from the camp. He let the binoculars fall to his chest on their strap and looked at the sky. It wouldn't be long before sunrise. 

Laser fire suddenly attracted his attention and Yuusup appeared over a rise and dived for some nearby cover as two laser bolts narrowly missed him. 

"What's wrong? Why did you break cover?" said Neil. 

"Lt Col Twochelope has regained consciousness and wants to talk to you." 

"Okay. Yuusup, you stay here and cover us. Bernis - I'll need a ride," said Neil. Staying low, Neil climbed onto Bernis' back and held on tight. Bernis was already on all six limbs and facing Tchzor's direction. 

Neil looked round at Yuusup, who had already regained his breath and was ready with his laser, then said, "Go." 

Bernis took off and was soon running as fast as the terrain would let him. Laser bolts hit the ground around them. The ground shook as a laser bolt from the anti-aircraft gun impacted only meters behind them. Bernis wobbled a little but managed to keep his balance somehow. It took ten minutes, even at near top speed, for Bernis to reach the edge of the valley where Tchzor was lying injured. He sank to the floor - exhausted - next to Lt Col Twochelope. 

Neil rolled off Bernis' back and crawled over to Tchzor, "What's wrong?" 

Tchzor opened his eyes, "Was that the large laser?" 

"Yes." 

"We'll not last long against that." 

"I know," Neil sighed. "I've got no idea how to get us out of this one. We'll be picked off if we run. That laser will get lucky if we stay. We can't defend properly against the advance of Dowdneer's troops with that laser trained on us..." 

"Stop Neil. I have a message from Rebecca," said Tchzor. 

"What! How?" piped up Bernis who was breathing almost normally again now. 

"She's on her way. She says to stay down and stay alive," Tchzor touched the wound on his temple. 

"Rebecca. No. Even she can't take all these on her own," said Neil. 

"We'll start firing at the camp as soon as she gets here," said Bernis. 

"Okay. You'd better spread the message quickly," Neil placed a hand on Bernis' shoulder. "Be careful."