power.'
'Yes sir,' she replied.
'Ranul what's the status on that reconfigure?'
'I've got it!' said Ranul from his science station. 'The cannon will now cycle through one hundred thousand shield frequencies per second and lock on the one that matches theirs.'
'Excellent. Garret, lock the cannon on their shield generator and fire.'
'Yes, Sir!'
The dispersion cannon swiveled on its base and locked on the approximate position of the shield generator on the closest Baruk vessel. The cannon fired its rapid multi-frequency blasts at the ship. The Baruk shield repelled the blast for a fraction of a second, then it got through and struck the generator's position; vaporizing it.
'Shield's dropping on the Baruk vessel, Captain!' cried the main science officer.
'Garret, fire at will, targeting the bridge area first! Ranul, transmit that reconfiguration sequence to the remaining ships!'
'Already on it!'
'Then let's do some damage,' Estall said with satisfaction.
'Those carriers are already passing into the atmosphere,' said Ranul from his station.
'Well, they're out of our reach now. Contact Tiet on the surface with the information. We'll do what we can here while they deal with those on the surface.'
'SIR, we're tracking a group of approximately ten carriers entering the atmosphere,' said one of the data- communication techs in the control center.
'What is their course heading?' asked Tiet.
'Descent projection is that they are heading for the Usai Valley beyond the borders of Thalidi. It's just about the only area large enough to land that group of ships,' said the tech.
Wynn and Tiet watched the computer model with the respective tracking data coming in on the group of Baruk ships.
'I think you're projection is right,' said Wynn.
'Get me the Troop Commander for Thalidi,' said Tiet.
'Online, Sir.'
'This is Commander Erib, Sir, what can I do for you?'
'Commander, I want you to order an immediate civilian evacuation of the suburban area beyond the defense wall and then mobilize your troops there. The Baruk are heading your way. We project an attack launched from the Usai Valley within twelve hours,' said Tiet.
'I trust we'll be launching a cooperative attack with the city's defensive batteries?' asked Erib.
'In part. What I hope to accomplish is more of an ambush. The Baruk will be expecting our civilian population to withdraw behind the city's defense wall. Hopefully we can lay in wait for them to take up positions in the suburb area and then come out on them in force.'
'Yes sir. Erib out.'
'What about me?' Wynn asked.
'I want you to deploy more troops on this side of Thalidi and set up a front approximately ten miles away. Let the other troop commanders know to send you 50 percent of their forces to make up that frontline. I expect the Baruk to try and go for Baeth Periege beyond Thalidi. They'll want the capital.'
'I wish you would allow me to lead the first strike at Thalidi while you remain here to set up the front,' said Wynn with concern. 'The battle there is going to be nearly a suicide mission and we need you to survive and lead these people.'
'Trust me, Wynn, this is how to lead them; by going into the fire with them. And I don't intend to die at Thalidi if I can help it. But if I should fall, you must assume command.'
Wynn remained silent. There was wisdom in the young man's words and he knew it. 'I'm only sorry we couldn't enlist Grod's Horva to help us in the fight. If we can't defeat the Baruk, they'll be the next target,' said Tiet.
'Well, I think your broken arm speaks all too well for Grod's intentions,' said Wynn sarcastically.
'Maybe.' Tiet looked at his mentor. 'I better get going; I hope to see you again.'
Wynn didn't say anything. His concern showed on his face. Tiet turned with a small wave and walked out of the control room, heading for the main deployment area to arrange troops to join with him in the journey to Thalidi.
Wynn thought about the extreme danger Tiet would be facing there outside the walls of Thalidi. An ambush was very ambitious against the Baruk. He just couldn't understand why Tiet wanted to face them that way. Even with crack commandos from among the best trained troops it was going to be hairy. He wished he could be there to at least keep an eye on him and try to protect him. Then it occurred to him that if he couldn't do it, someone else just might.
WHEN Commander Mendle had assembled his troops, he opened the door to the private assembly hall, allowing Tiet to enter. Though no formal ceremony had taken place to crown him as such, everyone knew full well the authority that had been granted to him by the Council as the new Barudii king. And they were glad for it.
Tiet walked to a place before them where he could address the recruits.
He said to all, 'I don't know if you realize the mission we are about to undertake. We are going to reinforce the troops already stationed at the city of Thalidi, where it has now been confirmed that the Baruk have landed and are deploying their own forces. The Baruk are coming at the city from the Valley of Usai. It will be our mission to take up positions within the suburban district that lies between the Baruk and the defensive wall of the city.'
'Excuse me, Sir,' said Commander Mendle. 'Did you say outside the defense wall?'
'We're going to provide an ambush in the hopes of at least giving the city officials enough time to evacuate the civilian population. This isn't much time to evacuate a city full of people, but we have no choice. With the number of Baruk forces that will be thrown at us in this first assault, we likely will not be able to hold them from entering the city.'
'So this is a suicide mission, Sir?' asked one of the soldiers.
'Not at all,' said Tiet. 'I have no intention of wasting lives, but we need to buy some time. We have security tunnels within that sector that were intended to allow the civilian population living there to evacuate to within the defensive wall perimeter if an attack came.
'We will take up positions well ahead and fight and fall back as we have to. When we can't hold our positions anymore we'll evacuate through the tunnels and help the rest of the civilian population in the city to get behind a defensive front. Wynn Gareth will be putting that together with the majority of our security forces from all of the twelve cities. That is where I intend to face off with the Baruk.
'Make no mistake soldiers, this will be an extremely dangerous mission and some us may fall in the battle, but I for one would rather lose my life fighting the Baruk than live under their rule,' said Tiet as the recruits began to shout a cheer of support.
'Trust in your training; it will save your life and the lives of your fellow soldiers. Now let's go.'
The troop commander barked a few quick orders at his men and then they all made their way to the transports ready to take them to Thalidi. Tiet watched the elite trained group of five hundred file into the carriers as he made last minute checks to his own uniform and weaponry. The last item he checked was the secure latch on the hilt of his father's blade. He was ready.
He boarded the lead carrier as the ramp began to ascend. Within moments they were all in the air en route to Thalidi and the Baruk.
KALE watched the monitor that his guards were watching, as different images and information on the coming attack was displayed. The two soldiers were talking amongst themselves about what was happening and even how they wished they could get into the action rather than remaining on guard duty.
'Look at that, the King is going to be leading the first strike at Thalidi,' said one of the soldiers.
'Yeah, but this says Thalidi's population is going to be evacuated to Baeth Periege,' said the other. 'That
