Gabriel Landowski

CHAPTER X

The Battle of Mountain Pass took several days to clean up. Tens of thousands of dead raiders and slain dogs were dragged far out into the steppe and left there to rot. There was no manpower available to dig the mass grave needed for so many to be buried. A good number of prisoners were rounded up and stripped of their possessions, only to be put to work dragging off their less fortunate comrades and beasts.

The defeated were marked with a large one-inch bolt head which was dipped in a mild acid. The octagon shape left an obvious scar unlike anything the natives had ever seen before. All bearers of this 'mark of the dragon' were warned that if encountered in this part of the steppe again their lives would be forfeit. They were then given enough hard tack for a few days travel and ordered to return from whence they came. Thus spared, the prisoners were released with their wounded companions to a fate unknown in the tall steppe grass. Most left without a second look, and those who lingered did not remain for long.

Captured enemy leaders were held in a detention camp later to be interrogated by the intelligence section. In time, a decision would be made as to whether they would be released or not. The target quickly changed his uncooperative mood once he saw the waste laid to the corps of cavalry he had sent against the village. The ego-driven native warmed readily to the superior treatment he received from his interrogators, and soon shared as much information as he knew.

Most of the time he talked of a powerful master whose rule spread across the steppe to the northeast. As best intelligence could determine, the man arrived during the Night of Fire more than a decade ago, and was hailed by the tribes as the son of a dark god. The One made the most out of being a Child of the Darkness, and had apparently used his newly found influence to its fullest advantage.

In the mean time the village folk seized all of the booty to be had from the battle field and stockpiled the weapons and armor in a livery stable near the main square. This equipment would be cleaned, inventoried, and later used to equip the new infantry units that would soon patrol the border with the steppe. The remainder of the loot would be divided amongst the villagers as reward for their support, with additional compensation being given to those who had lost family members during the fight.

The dogs that refused to submit to handlers, or were too badly wounded, were destroyed. The rest were herded into large holding pens just inside the edge of the valley located behind the village. Here the animals were separated and vetted as cavalry mounts. The rangers that knew how to ride were issued an animal and organized into patrols. These cavalry detachments were then sent out to monitor the dispersal of the defeated and to serve as an early warning against other threats. The remaining animals were left to breakers who immediately started training the beasts for useful service.

With the new regiment created Lieutenant Taylor assumed the honorary rank of Colonel. He released the drop ships back to their mountain dwelling in order for them to conduct light maintenance. By sending the ships away he would also preserve their shock effect on the populace and allow the mystique of the dragons to continue. He well recalled the terror the craft had caused to the enemy during the air assault raid. Stranded on a foreign world, the Colonel would take any advantage he was offered.

The constant demand placed upon the ships in recent months began to take its toll, especially in the operating environment of the planet. Without maintenance facilities like those on the Rosalie, the behemoths could not be thoroughly serviced. In addition, the Fleet commander wanted to eliminate every unnecessary minute in the air.

There was a brief discussion about investigating the mysterious Darkness that moved above them. The Colonel decided that it was not a risk the regiment could afford to take at that time. Discovering what role the black object might play in the big scheme of things would have to wait. Taylor felt that he could not afford to split his force, especially by sending personnel off the planet. The main goal of the regiment was to recruit more locals into the ranks and firmly establish itself in the region. Fortunately for him the Flight leader agreed.

The flight crews were stationed with their ships deep in the mountain valley where the original compound was established all those months ago. Security consisted of a fire team composed entirely of troopers who guarded the main entrance to the cavern. The relief and pick-up by Fleet was still an unknown variable. The drop ships would continue taking turns, checking on a signal buoy left in high orbit. It was meant to attract the attention of any friendly vessel or probe that might Fold into the system. These hops were also used to collect better topographical data and provide the crews an opportunity to conduct aerial reconnaissance while making the trip.

It was several weeks later when disaster struck.

During one of the hops an emergency transmission was received from the King. The pilot called a mayday to any station and announced that the ship was going down. The call was brief, hectic, and one way. Attempts to contact the drop ship went unanswered. The Ace scrambled and the crew arrived in the general area within twenty minutes of dispatch. The pilot searched the crisscross mountain gullies and valleys but found no trace of the King from the air. A passive scan of high orbit indicated no contact. Rumor quickly circulated that the incident had something to do with the Darkness.

Speculation soon ran rampant as to exactly what had happened to the King. The data scans provided by the Ace were carefully scrutinized a second time in order to eliminate the possibility of having missed any trace of enemy activity - to no avail. Others, still, suggested the lack of sufficient overhaul maintenance appeared to be the main culprit. After much deliberation, and elimination of theories derived from the facts at hand, it was finally decided that maintenance, indeed, was the most likely suspect. With this chilling conclusion the Colonel took no further risks and requested that the Ace and Joker be grounded for the unforeseeable future. The new Flight leader consented and the remaining crews stood down.

Taylor immediately ordered a search and recovery mission to scour the area. The 3^rd Battalion received the mission and word passed down to the companies that they had been selected. India Company, also known as Franklin 's Minions, was the unit to which Kyle found himself reassigned as a platoon leader. With his new title he was also given the responsibility of training thirty new native recruits and getting them disciplined, more or less, like troopers.

* * *

Kyle pulled himself into the saddle of his mount and tried to keep his eyes open. He had been running non-stop to ensure that all essential equipment and provisions were packed, and that every last man in the platoon was ready for action. Breaking in his new squad leaders was not easy but they seemed eager and willing to learn. Word of his prior service with the rangers, and a well timed visit from Taulk, had apparently preceded his arrival to the platoon. The result was minimal hassle and maximum effort on the part of his new charges.

Reaching down, Kyle scratched his dog behind its ears. He decided to name the animal Gorbash after a fictional dragon of his youth. The creature raised its massive head slightly and panted in the morning air. Kyle had grown to trust the beast which was paired to him by the native breakers who had evaluated both of their personalities. Even though the basic trust was there, the realization that it took just one wrong move by the five hundred pound animal to ruin his day was never far off. Kyle often wondered what treatment the animal had experienced at the hands of his previous owners. Many of the dogs had numerous scars from prior rough handling.

I'll bet being a Horde mount was no picnic.

Up ahead he saw Rey pass back the hand signal in preparation for mounting. Kyle's old squad leader had been assigned a platoon under Franklin as well. Kyle waved back an acknowledgement and ordered his squad leaders to get the platoon ready. As they scattered in a hubbub of hasty orders, spoken in native tongue, Kyle turned to the small gathering of troopers at his side. Richards was talking and had the attention of the others.

"...So if you think about it, 'draco' means 'dragon', and 'dracula' means 'son of the dragon'. We could just call ourselves something cool like that instead."

The others stared at Richards for a moment in mute disbelief. Buster shook his head with indignation and muttered under his breath,

"Dracula? Richards, you are one freaky dude. There is no way I'm naming myself after a blood sucking vampire."

The others all grinned and chuckled. Richards looked up at Kyle as if appealing to a higher power. Kyle just shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry man, I'm not feeling it."

Dejected, Richards seemed to retire into deeper thought. The others gathered around to tap fists with Kyle before departing.

"Hang in there man."

"Take it easy 'LT'."

"Remember to take a buddy with you to the latrine."

Kyle threw Buster a look as the trooper feigned surprise at the reaction to his advice. The others laughed and moved back to make way for Gorbash as the animal side-stepped under the weight of his rider. Up ahead Rey called out to his own platoon.

"Prepare to mount!"

Kyle echoed the command to his own squad leaders who were watching and waiting. They passed the order to their squad members, who had coaxed their dogs into a disorderly column of twos. The entire battalion had only had a few short weeks to become familiar with their mounts and it showed. Kyle noted that every last pair of eyes in the platoon was on him, waiting for the next order.

Good, very good. I think these guys are going to work out.

"Mount!"

The men stepped up into their saddles and quickly controlled their shifting dogs. Rey stood high in his stirrups, and with one arm raised, relayed the preparatory command.

"For-ward!'

Kyle did the same. He risked a quick survey of the troopers who watched on with empty expressions and reserved spirits.

I may never see any of them ever again.

In unison with Rey he dropped his arm and gave the order.

"March!"

The column lurched into motion. The others gathered nearby burst into a chant of friendly cat calls, assorted hoots, and whistles. Kyle tried to remember the details of their faces as his buddies all saluted in unison. Returning the gesture, he suddenly felt very alone and unwilling to leave them behind. Although he knew Rey, Kyle was only vaguely familiar with his new captain and had but a passing familiarity with the executive officer. The other platoon leader was just recently assigned and still completely unknown to him.

I don't even know what the guy looks like!

As the column proceeded out of the village toward the west, Kyle thought about the journey that had brought him to where he was today. He thought of Neel and Teek, as well as the other troopers he had known for the long months when they had struggled together to survive. Worse, still, was the faint recollection of his birth family and friends on planets far away, which seemed more imagined than real.

Reaching up with his hand Kyle touched the hilt of Neel's dagger and thought of the rangers guarding the approach from the steppe. Most of his old squad had been promoted to head troops of their own. Holly, tapped to serve as the Regimental Sergeant Major, had passed along Kyle's recommendation for the selection of Taulk to lead an infantry company of his own. The native was more of a brother now, and it felt odd leaving the ranger to his own fate.

As the morning sun began to climb into the eastern sky behind them, Kyle adjusted his carbine across his chest. Having tried several different sling configurations he found this was the best for keeping the weapon out of the way but readily accessible. Thus positioned, he could control Gorbash and still fire effectively with just one hand. Looking down Kyle checked the quick release straps which held several light axes to his riding saddle.

When 24^th century fails you, just switch to the 9^th century for backup!

Kyle smiled to himself, amused by the notion that he enlisted as a trooper in a military with advanced technology that was now reduced to dependence on archaic hand weapons. Transportation used to be facilitated by gigantic carriers that could whisk entire divisions across the vastness of space in the blink of an eye. Now the most reliable mode of transportation was a huge oversized canine. Kyle was thankful for small favors though, as he retained use of the combat armor and helmet features which still functioned. The regiment would need every edge over the other hostiles just to survive.

As the column advanced, the village of Mountain Pass disappeared behind them with only the smoke of breakfast fires marking its location. The remainder of the morning was a boring routine of swaying in the saddle with only an occasional stop to water the dogs in the river or to give them some rest.

Traveling on Gorbash was a relatively quiet experience and the journey was a wonderful introduction to the valley they had bypassed in the airlift. The breeze was sweet and gentle with large conifer trees swaying as if dancing in their sleep. Ahead the spectacular mountain ridges swept up from either side and climbed high to the horizon, reaching for the tops of several different peaks capped with white snow.

Major Medina commanded the battalion and urged the men ever forward. As the column continued west, small groups of villagers appeared, heading in the opposite direction toward their homes. Most of them were older except for the women who had their children in tow.

These travelers kept their distance while noting the dark green banners with the emblem of a golden pine tree; each denoting the three ranger companies in the battalion. The children all smiled and waved as several of the rangers grinned and returned the greeting. Kyle smiled as a small girl rushed forward toward the riders, ignoring the harsh chastisement of an older woman.

The little one stopped short and looked up into his tired eyes dissociated from the effects of battle. She broke into a huge grin and began giggling. Turning in a pirouette, she shrieked playfully, running back to the arms of her ward, who shook a warning finger, and gave her a single small spank.

The rangers ate as they rode. After a while the constant jarring in the saddle started to transfer to their backs and necks. The sun began to descend in front of them and the darkness of the evening crawled out of hiding from the valley floor. Slowly the battalion circled into a defensive coil and pickets were stationed to give early warning of an enemy approach. After checking on his platoon, Kyle covered himself with a rough riding blanket and fell asleep against the thick fur coat of Gorbash.

The battalion continued to press west into the mountains for the next several days. Medina kept the column moving at a fast clip, stopping only long enough to rest and feed the mounts. Despite the quick pace, Kyle was frustrated. He wished there was a faster way for the unit to move in hopes of locating the downed drop ship and crew.

Then again, maybe this is purely a recovery effort by now.

The thought left an unpleasant feeling in his gut. The men, for the most part, took turns sleeping in their saddles, having tied themselves in to prevent falling. The defensive coil was the same each night. The only perceivable difference was the continued cooling of the air as the column penetrated farther into the mountains.

On the evening of the fifth day Rey signaled for his platoon to halt and Kyle echoed the command to his own men. Soon a runner appeared and summoned the officers to the front of the column. As Kyle spurred Gorbash forward he could make out the high stone wall of a small town ahead.

The evening torches were being lit as he watched, and two large braziers burned brightly on either side of an entrance to a timber gate house. Franklin waited for Kyle and Rey to halt near him before turning and nodding to Medina . Although the battalion commander addressed the captains, the lieutenants could also clearly hear what was said.

"The lead scout says these people are reasonably friendly. I want you to ensure that your sergeants keep the men on a tight leash. They now represent the regiment and will be held to the highest standards of behavior and obedience. I am going to parley with our good friend over there guarding the main gate, and see if we can't sleep inside the walls this evening instead of out in the cold. Wait here."

With that, Medina accompanied by an adept native scout, turned his dog toward the entrance. As the two entered the ring of firelight, a challenge came from the gate house wall above them. The riders halted momentarily before the scout nudged his dog a step closer. Kyle watched as the native man gestured a greeting and began speaking in a harsh guttural language.

After a short discourse the native turned in his saddle to Medina. Kyle could just make out what was said.

"He say he not open gate until morrow."

Medina looked from the lead scout to the face of the man lit by the torch light. Kyle could see the guard appraise the column of armored rangers as they stretched out into the darkness. Medina turned back to the lead scout with further instructions.

"Ask him if there is an officer in charge that I may speak with."

The scout translated accordingly. The man from the wall responded with a brief reply and seemed to ask a question in response. The scout turned back in his saddle.

"He say that you must be a person of power, for him risk beating by officer."

Medina turned to Franklin with a look of bemusement, to which the captain could only shrug his shoulders. Medina turned back to the lead scout who watched the officers with a sort of bored curiosity.

"Ask him if he has heard of the great battle at the mountain pass near the steppe five days east of here."

The lead scout turned back to the man, who was most likely the sergeant of the guard, and translated the question. The man on the wall replied with a single tilting of his head to the right. The lead scout turned back to Medina who gestured that he understood.

"Tell this man that I am part of that mighty army, as are these men behind me, which met the Horde of The One and destroyed it in battle."

The lead scout hesitated for a moment, trying to figure how best to translate the declaration to the waiting man on the wall. With grand pronouncement, and a wide wave of his arm to Kyle and the others, the lead scout delivered what could only be described as a noble attempt.

The man on the wall seemed to take this all in for a moment or two. He spoke a few words, and then disappeared from view. The lead scout turned back to Medina .

"Sir, man say wait."

Medina sighed with a slight irritation.

"I already appear to be doing that."

A call went up from inside the wall and several faces peered through the various firing slits around the gate house. Spears materialized high in the night sky betraying the position of their owners who also looked down questioningly on the strange riders and their dogs. Several more minutes passed and then another series of orders were heard, followed soon thereafter by the opening of a smaller door within the larger gate. A man wearing a white tabard over shiny chain armor stepped through. He had no helmet and sported an ornate mace which swung freely from his left hip.

This warrior approached to within yards of Medina before coming to a halt. Several men and the sergeant accompanied him but remained a respectful distance behind. The man looked up at Medina . He had fierce eyes and jet black hair with a well trimmed beard. He seemed well kempt but showed signs of rough frontier living.

"This is Robier. He is Law for town."

The Law betrayed his surprise as the scout spoke. Kyle realized that the man could understand Universal. Medina appeared to realize this as well, and to the Law inquired,

"You can understand what we are saying?"

The man recovered his composure before answering the question. When he spoke, his voice was firm and strong.

"I understand perfectly. I am just surprised to hear it spoken so well by complete strangers."

Kyle was shocked, as the Law was much more fluent in Universal than the battalion's own rangers. With a slight motion of his head, the major sent the scout back to the column and looked at the Law. It seemed the man had questions of his own.

"How is it that you speak the tongue of the Sky? It is a skill taught only to a few and it is rare for you to be as fluent as you are."

The question had a hint of suspicion to it which Kyle could understand. The only other person who spoke Universal was locked up back at Mountain Pass. Medina sat back in his saddle and let out a long sigh.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I have been speaking it my whole life. Of course there are a few nuns who would beg to differ."

The Law did not seem to understand the jest. He instead looked at Franklin and the other officers who were gathered around.

"They all know the tongue of the Sky as well?"

Medina nodded absently, correcting himself by tilting his head to the right in the native fashion.

"All of my officers are fluent in what we call Universal. In fact, most of our sergeants speak it well enough to hold a conversation. A good portion of the men in the battalion can understand orders when spoken."

The Law seemed to digest this. Kyle sensed that the man was searching for something by the line of his questioning; Medina did not seem to realize it. The Law crossed his arms.

"You say you fought in the large battle near the steppe?"

Medina tilted his head to the right in reply.

"It is said then that you have powerful weapons at your disposal."

Medina hesitated, but once again tilted his head to the right. The Law now spoke as a man who had placed his cards on the table.

"Do you come from Peace?"

Medina cast a questioning glance. He looked briefly at the others to be sure that he had heard the Law correctly.

"Peace? I am sorry, but I do not understand what you mean. We are not here to harm you if that is your concern."

The Law did not appear to entirely understand Medina . After apparently convincing himself of some unknown fact he spoke again.

"Peace is the mountain domain of a people rumored to be Children of the Darkness."

The man turned and pointed to the north. Kyle glanced up and could make out the peaks of the mountains as dark cuts against a star filled sky. The Law continued,

"They were first discovered many years ago not long after the Night of Fire. Bright flashes and streaks of light heralded their arrival for several nights in a row. They brought with them great power which they used to destroy anyone sent against them. It was they who taught a survivor the tongue of Sky so that we would understand that they wished only to be left alone in Peace."

Medina tilted his head to the left in denial. The Law seemed to try and read Medina 's expression before he spoke again.

"It is said that you are the Sons of Dragons who fight for you."

For a moment the question seemed to catch Medina off guard but he thought and tilted his head to the right again.

"Yes, it is true that we have help from that which you call dragons."

Kyle watched the face of the stranger as the man listened. The Law asked in a cool, calm voice:

"Have you come for the fallen dragon then?"

Medina tensed.

"Yes. Do you know where it is?"

The Law slowly pointed back toward the mountain.

"Several nights journey away and well within the kingdom of Peace ."

Kyle sat back in his saddle.

Great! Juuust great....

Medina seemed to think this over. After a moment the Law turned to his sergeant and uttered a few brief instructions. The subordinate hurried the others back toward the gate with a curt bark and wave of the arm. There appeared to be a change of heart but the Law did not move. Instead, he turned and spoke to Medina ,

"How many men will you need accommodations for?"

Medina studied the stranger briefly.

"Around two hundred troopers and their mounts."

The Law accepted this and pointed toward the torch lit wall. The massive wooden gate swung inward and the sergeant of the guard appeared with several more men who lined up along each side of the road. All wore helmets, some loosely affixed, and carried a rough pole slightly taller with a glistening spear tip.

"The sergeant will lead you to a field we have located inside the wall. Your men can rest and set up camp there. We will see what supply requests we can satisfy in the morning. You and your officers are our guests - if you would accept our courtesy. Please follow me."

The Law strode off toward the entrance and Medina turned to his captains to get their initial impressions. Franklin simply shrugged his shoulders and looked to the others, who did the same. With no protests offered, Medina turned and urged his dog toward the gateway. Franklin and the other captains turned to their gathered officers and rode back to join their individual commands. Rey gave Kyle a reassuring grin and nodded as the two separated to rejoin their men.

After a brief lull the column jostled into motion and the troopers quietly filed in through the archway. As Kyle entered the town he was somewhat startled to see the Law on a flight of stone steps, flanked by two bright torches. The man seemed to wait for each of the troopers, easily distinguished by his combat armor, as he rode by.

"Welcome, Sons of Dragons."

Kyle was unsure of what to do, but did not want to be rude, and slightly bowed his head to acknowledge the greeting. Gorbash continued to pad forward, and led the platoon along a rough stone street which twisted through a large square. As he looked back at his riders, Kyle watched as the large wooden gates slowly swung shut behind them.

No turning back now.

He realigned his position to the front as he led his rangers out of the torch lit area and into the cool darkness of the enclosed field beyond. He looked up to the night sky and absently searched for the Darkness, though he knew it was not yet above the horizon. His thoughts turned to the morning, when they would go out looking for the King and in search of Peace.

* * *

THE BEGINNING