The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 16

"Engage the ionization dispersal cannons," Commander Huang barked to his communications officer.

Cheik, a city of about two hundred thousand, rested midway between Arcadia's Myanmar headquarters and Bangkok. The city sprawled, away from the sea and its important harbor, reaching inland several miles before it blended into the jungle.

The Arcadia method of taking territory until now was absorption. Supporters simply notified the local population they were now citizens of Arcadia. Residents were indifferent to the news and there was no resistance since the government was mostly absent from the rural areas.

Cheik was the first major city Arcadia attempted to control. There were only a few dozen government troops stationed inside the city and a small base, with about one hundred soldiers, on the northern outskirts.

Sam, Ann, and Commander Huang observed from a small hill overlooking the city. The position provided an excellent overview of the operation, but its distance from the battle prevented assessing details. The outpost tents and canopies sheltered communications equipment and crude sandbag bunkers nearby provided minimal protection from incoming enemy fire.

Commander Huang said, "We have positioned the obedience persuasion ionization cannons on the southern front. The light wind is coming from that direction. As it takes effect we will move them forward. It should take three or four moves to cover the entire city."

"Thank you, Commander," Sam said. I hope the antidote I took works.

"Where is the military base?" Ann asked.

"The main base is on the outskirts of the city to the north," Commander Huang replied. "We are starting our attack from the south so they won't feel the effects until the third or fourth movement."

"That means if they find out we are overtaking the city, they may try to defend it," Ann said.

"That's correct," Huang said. "We are moving as quickly as possible for that reason." Huang wore a wireless earpiece and microphone. "I have heard from our field people. They already moved the canons into the second advanced position. The government military personnel within the city are laying down their arms and joining us."

"This couldn't be better," Sam said to Ann. "I know you preferred to use our usual method of absorbing an area but this is so much faster."

"I have to admit, I'm impressed," Ann said.

Pockets of smoke and the sounds of several explosions around the city told them the military had discovered the attack. None of the targets appeared to be anything important. This tactic to achieve Arcadia control had an advantage since there was no concentrated army position. The only army was a few supporters distributing literature about the new country.

An explosion only a hundred yards from the observation post prompted the Commander to order, "Take cover behind the sandbags over there."

Sam, Ann, and the Commander dove behind the sandbags. If an artillery shell hit this, we'd be blow away. We're totally exposed. But how would they know where we are? That hit must have been a stray.

Lying in the bunker the Commander shouted into his earpiece microphone, "Activate the electro-magnetic pulse shield."

Ann said to Sam, "My mother, and I created this EMP device." More artillery fire cracked in the distance. Explosions in the air rained debris down from the sky.

"I've told our people distributing information on the ground to take shelter if they saw detonations overhead," Sam said. "They probably didn't understand what might happen, but they do now."

"I've just gotten a report from our most advanced unit that the military base has surrendered." Commander Huang said. "That's not quite correct. They joined with us and laid down their arms. Our representatives have confiscated all the weapons found at the base including a guided missile and launcher. We'll transport those to Arcadia headquarters."

"Let's go down," Sam said, as he walked toward the parked vehicles. "I want to see the city close up." Ann nodded in agreement reaching for Sam's hand as she stepped toward him.

"That is not a good idea," Commander Huang said with the force of an order. "The battlefield isn't secure yet. There may be unexploded ordnance. In a couple of days..." Sam and Ann stopped, looking back over the city from the observation hill.

"You know best," Sam said, giving a slight bow and still grasping Ann's hand.

Sam embraced Ann smiling from the thrill of their victory. Arcadia, in just a few minutes, had doubled its territory. Attacking a heavily defended city, though, would certainly meet with stiffer resistance. Also, they expected when the central government found out about this loss, they would launch a counteroffensive strike.

But, the people of the area now were potential citizens of Arcadia. Their support ensured by the obedience persuasion substance for now. Bright Sun predicted, in time, they would voluntarily support the cause when they realized how their lives had changed for the better.

Sam questioned if these people were so fortunate. Their government was corrupt, but now another supreme leader forced their support. Was this progress? It didn't matter. The change was underway and no one could stop it. Arcadia's weapons could enlist throngs of followers and defeat any defense.