They learned that one of the new and improved features of Highborn was a gland that squirted Suspend into the brain at the moment of death. Thus, drugs had frozen Sigmir’s brain when he died. No damage had been done because of his lack of oxygen. At least so went the theory.
Three nights later, the Slumlords huddled in an underground garage, sitting on chunks of concrete as they cooked their suppers. Suddenly the talking stopped. Man after man looked up, amazed and fearful at what he saw.
Dressed in gleaming new combat armor, Sigmir strode among them. A fresh scar showed where the shrapnel had torn out his throat. He moved with purpose and force. His eyes glittered more darkly than ever and the corner of his mouth twitched as if he considered a joke that only he knew. There seemed to be a new grimness about him, a feeling that a dead man had joined them. Some of the storm troopers shivered as he marched past, a few crossed themselves with a long-forbidden religious gesture.
Captain Sigmir strode to where Marten sat.
Upon seeing the newly resurrected captain, Marten stared for only a moment. Then he jumped to attention and saluted smartly. “Glad to have you back, sir,” Marten said, who kept the quaver and more than a bit of hatred out of his voice.
Sigmir peered at him, the odd twitch never leaving the corner of his mouth. Finally, after an uncomfortable length of time, Sigmir whispered hoarsely, “Prepare for a dawn assault, Lieutenant.”
“Sir?”
“I
“…Yes, sir.”
Sigmir examined those who stared at him in shock and fear. “Do any here doubt me?”
No one spoke.
“Nothing will stop me,” wheezed Sigmir. “Not death, not the enemy, not the lack of guts in my men.” Once more, he examined them. Then he turned and strode to where the Colonel conferred with the other Lot Six captains.
“He’s a vampire,” whispered Turbo.
“I don’t know about that,” said Stick, who had yet to touch his food. “But he don’t die.”
“He’s going to kill us,” Omi said moodily.
“Why do you think that?” asked Marten.
“I’ve seen that look before. He’s mad, stark raving nuts. And if he has to kill us all to get what he wants then he’s going to do it.”
“We’ll see,” said Marten.
12.
8 May 2350
The Pre-Operation Togo military conference: 10.26 A.M.
Enkov: Commander Shell, please report upon the situation.
Shell: Delicate, Lord Director, but theoretically promising. According to our best information, two Doom Stars and other ancillary spacecraft still hold their station in Mars orbit. A Doom Star guards Venus, one has gone to refit at the Mercury construction yard and one is unaccounted for. We suspect but have not yet located the Doom Star in Earth or in the Moon’s orbit. Concerning enemy Near-Earth Orbital deployment, three laser stations continue to search and destroy targets of opportunity, as do two of their missile stations. Three Highborn orbital fighter platforms are dedicated to the present Japanese campaign and are in stationary orbit here, here and here.
Hawthorne: Adherence to our space strategy of scattering and therefore maintaining what is left of our deep- space vessels has forced the Highborn to garrison each of their planets with a Doom Star.
Enkov: That is an imprecise statement, General Hawthorne. They control the near orbit of each of the said planets, but not the planets themselves.
Hawthorne: Yes, Lord Director, I stand corrected.
Shell: The Highborn deploy superior electronic countermeasure and detection equipment, Lord Director. But in their wisdom, Space Command long ago placed emergency pods in Earth orbit for just this situation. These pods have been carefully maneuvered into position and are timed to detonate at the commencement of Operation Togo.
Enkov: Which stations in particular have you targeted?
Shell: Two of the three dedicated Highborn orbital fighter platforms and this laser platform.
Enkov: What about the others?
Shell: I have saved the best for last, Lord Director. Breakthrough beam technology and ‘total’ construction efforts have given us proton beam stations in seven cities. The proton beams are an order of magnitude greater in power and destructiveness, Lord Director. I assure you, the Highborn have never faced anything like these.
Enkov: Our previous beam sites drained the power grid. If these are more powerful, how have you solved the problem?
Shell: The proton beam is charged directly from a deep-core mine, Lord Director. All other city functions are taken offline or run with emergency systems. The proton beams have full and complete use of the deep mine. Therefore, lack of power is no longer a problem. These beams, they will be a terrible surprise for the Highborn. For the coming operation, these East Asian stations will target the remaining orbital platforms and—
Enkov: You’re ready?
Shell: Yes, Lord Director, but I would like to point out that—
Enkov: Thank you, Commander. Orbital Space Command has done their duty. Air Marshal Ulrich, please make your report.
Ulrich: Lord Director, in the Northern Chinese airfields we have reached seventy-nine percent of the projected strength levels. As mandated, the majority of these combat units are medium and long-range bomber formations. Korea holds the bulk of Fighter Command and is at sixty-three percent of projected strength levels. Long range Trotsky Bombers wait in the Siberian airfields at ninety-one percent operational strength. In another week, we could raise all those percentages near maximum.
Enkov: Four weeks was my original timeframe for the counterattack, Air Marshal. In two days, Operation Togo will commence with the units you already have in place.
Ulrich: Understood, Lord Director. But—
Enkov: Thank you, Air Marshal. Field Marshal Kitamura, please make your report.
Kitamura: The love of the Japanese people for their Director spurs them to deeds of unparalleled heroism, Lord Director. Tokyo holds. Kobi fell only yesterday, but after bitter fighting. Unfortunately, in the north the battle- lines have neared the beleaguered capital. Yet we have found the key to victory, Lord Director. While our army units, guard divisions, in particular, hold the gates, the people train underground in the cities. Thus, we launch endless assaults with the Kamikaze squads, maintaining our trained troops for—
Enkov: The Samurai Divisions?
Kitamura: Yes, Lord Director. They are the guard divisions, the heart of Japanese defense. They have been carefully maintained and they will go over onto the assault for Operation Togo.
Enkov: Tokyo has also held because the enemy’s supply lines have been relentlessly disrupted.
Kitamura: The people of Japan agree with you, Lord Director. Your precision nuclear strikes have defeated the mongrel forces of darkness.
Enkov: No, no, not defeated, Field Marshal. We must never overstate. But the nuclear strikes have given us the time to marshal our forces for the supreme blow. It seems, General Hawthorne, that you were wrong concerning Highborn reaction to our nuclear retaliation.
Hawthorne: Frankly, Director—excuse me, Lord Director—I’m amazed at the Highborn’s restraint.
Enkov: Not restraint, General. Fear. They evidence the fear of those who have overstepped themselves and
