GALAXY AT WAR - Book 4 - A Dark Time

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - April 2173 - Tranchilite / Earth

...Tranchilite...

The city of Ansun is eight-hundred miles, as the crow flies, to the northwest of Marsoopia. But, with two mountain ranges between them – the Marsoopia Range and the Ansun Range, by land they are separated by just over a thousand miles.

The Razor's Edge team had been sent to Ansun because of reports that the authorities there were losing ground to the rebels again. The early departure of the many Confederation forces had helped Dowdneer's rebels to survive and were now flourishing again.

Razor's Edge had flown there in their new shuttle but Ansun was set deep within Ansun Forest, so they had set down at the edge and hired five Troglors to take them the rest of the way. At ninety miles it had taken them nearly two hours to reach the city limits. The Troglors had had to run at a slower than normal pace because of navigating the trees.

Lt Col Twochelope climbed down from his Troglor and tied it to a tree. The rest of the team did the same. He gently stroked the Troglor's snout as he fed it some touton fruit. That was a Troglor's favourite food. Tchzor popped one into his mouth before closing the pouch that contained the delicious, nutritious fruit.

He walked a few steps towards Ansun city and raised his binoculars to his eyes. He could see no enemies but that didn't mean they weren't there. "Bernis and Putil. Standard surveillance positions. We will advance along the ground while you cover us from the trees. Go!"

Bernis and Putil hurried to their positions.

"Spread out and advance slowly," Tchzor said to Capustri and Marsup. "Remember, there are civilians here – not just Dowdneer's rebels."

"Sir," they said in unison.

Tchzor moved slowly forwards, scanning the area in front for any hostile activity. Marsup and Capustri did the same to either side of him.

They had moved past a few deserted homes, about five-hundred yards in, when laser fire from up high to Tchzor's right hit a bush in front of him. A tranchillion tumbled sideways out of the bush and lay still.

"Thanks, Bernis," said Tchzor. "Do you see any..." he was interrupted by laser fire coming from several directions. "Take cover!"

Capustri and Marsup were already running for the nearest tree trunks as Tchzor ran behind one just in front of him.

Bernis took out two more targets, from high up to their right, before having to take cover. Putil had taken two more from high up to their left before laser fire forced him to take cover.

Tchzor, Capustri and Marsup all fired at the areas where the laser fire was coming from to help their colleagues up high.

This is folly, thought Tchzor. This has to stop. "Cease fire!"

Laser fire from both sides continued as the battle raged on.

"Cease fire!" Tchzor tried again.

After a few seconds the laser fire stopped.

"I am Lieutenant Colonel Tchzor Twochelope! Hear me! You're fighting a war that has already been lost! Dowdneer is dead! He has been since early February! Lay down your weapons and stop this conflict! There doesn't need to be any more death! Dowdneer was corrupted by a powerful alien! We should be standing together against this common threat – not fighting each other!" Tchzor waited for a few seconds, hoping that his speech had worked.

"What assurances do we have that you won't fire on us!"

None, thought Tchzor. "The same that you won't fire on us! I'll come out myself! I'll be the first to take that chance! If you don't fire on me, my team won't fire on you!" Tchzor holstered his weapon and stepped out from behind the tree. He started walking forwards with his hands held high.