“Guardian!”
said Nogilian. “Such a thing has not been done!” Ash was too astounded to
speak.
I nodded.
“It’s happening now. How long to reach the Profuse Stair?”
He shook
his head, frowning. “Three days, by the fastest greatship. But if you mean by
valkyrie...”
“How long,
Nogilian?”
He grabbed
his chin, considering. “A day and a night, no more.” He could not hide his
smile. He had been pleased to learn the simple Earth technique of towing
artillery with valkyries. That discovery alone would have changed the entire
nature of warfare on Thaeron. It had never occurred to them to try.
“Excellent.
We break camp by dusk. Full gear. Don’t tell them why. But I want an overnight
rest there before we assail the Stair.”
I intended to make full tactical use of the fact that the cliffs faced
east.
Ash had
finally gained the wherewithal to talk. “But how, Guardian? How is this even
possible?”
“Wonders of
the world, lieutenant. The wonders of your world. Have you ever wondered why
the White Swarm would be found here on Thaeron, of all places? Why not on
Earth?”
He had no
answer.
“You both
have your orders. Ki should know. We’ll meet in my tent.” I climbed the hill
and went inside, abhorred the smell. But a strategy was needed. Time was
running out. Soon enough I had my maps unfurled. It wasn’t long until Nogilian
and Ash and Ki trooped in. They bore the ease of lieutenants doing things
together comfortably on their own. I winced, so far had my command fallen. But I
did not dwell.
Tactically,
the situation was dire but possible. The Shuni wielded unusual weaponry we were
not trained to fight. Together with the fact that we had very few spearmen, this
meant that the most conventional assault would fail. Valkyries couldn’t scale
the artificial cliffs, and the heights would be otherwise unreachable. I
suggested a plan contingent on our few advantages. Nogilian approved. So did Ki
and Ash.
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