Re: The Retreating Ice (A Story)
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:58 am
Part XII
“We’ll make better time now that we’re out over the Shire Sea,” said Rainier as he swung around in his seat to face Valeyon.
“Maybe so, but the imperial fleet seems to have pulled a few tricks of its own. First the gravimetric fighter, and now a fuel transport and several other ships have joined up with the fleet of helicopters pursuing us,” noted Valeyon sternly.
“Indeed, they must have come from stations outside of the city, since everything on the ground was destroyed with the impact of the gravimetric ship.” Rainier looked over to the radar console solemnly as the numerous little blips filled the screen. “But they’ll be slowed even more by the additional planes and the need to re-fuel. We, on the other hand, won’t be facing such obstacles.”
“We may face obstacles when we hit Benacia. We still don’t know what they have stationed there that could block us.”
“That’s why we’re going to head southwest down towards the Skyla Isles and skim around the continental coast through Yardistan, which remains friendly to us.” Rainier pointed to a faded and yellowing map tacked to the wall that showed the continent of Benacia looming against the lapping waters of the Shire Sea. To its south and along its southern coast lay the isles loyal to Yardistan, and ultimately those who would give sanctuary to the Celeste.
A dark pall was cast over Rainier’s face as he looked squarely upon Valeyon. “Strategy is not why I called you here today, Valeyon,” he said. “I have another matter of great import to discuss with you. Please, take a seat.” And he pointed to a moth-ridden chair nearby. Valeyon, quietly wondering what was on the Captain’s mind, took a seat without a word of comment.
Rainier continued, “We have in our care some several thousands of people who have entrusted to us their future, among them your dear Belle.” Valeyon rose to protest but was silenced by a wave of Rainier’s hand. “Please do not attempt to cover what is already obvious to the rest of us. She is a lovely young woman, and you should express your affection for her, not bottle it up. You never know when the chance to do so may be taken away from you!” Valeyon was shocked into silence by the rare show of emotion from Rainier. “I have already set the path of my fate in stone, and as such I want to make it clear that should anything happen to me, you are to assume full command of the Celeste and take on the responsibility of leading our people into a better future.”
Valeyon’s face became stern. “I hope you are not planning anything rash?” he asked.
“Is not this entire operation rash?” countered Rainier. “We are fighting a war here, and I cannot guarantee that I will not be one of many victims to these battles. There needs to be a contingency in place should the worst happen.”
“What about Clarion? He has seniority on me and I am certain you trust him more than me. After all, when this war began we were on opposite sides.”
“Clarion is old. He is a great asset, a fountain of wisdom, and a treasure we must cherish and protect. But despite all these virtues he is not a leader, and he is starting to show his age. No, I can trust no one other than you in this task.”
“Very well then, I accept,” announced Valeyon suddenly. “On the condition that you promise not to do anything rash that would otherwise expedite my promotion.”
“But of course,” replied Rainier in a calm manner.
Valeyon nodded and retired from the room, not noticing Rainier’s crossed fingers carefully tucked in his overcoat.
Meanwhile, among the imperial remnant fleet the captain of the destroyer the HMS Astra Equis, Lord Lepardeaux, busied himself with bringing the rag-tag fleet back under the heel of military authority. A short and stocky man, red in the face and short in temper, he was known as “The Leopard” for his stealthy air assaults. But the camouflage was cast aside this time; the enemy was in the open and there was nothing left to go back to. They would pay dearly for the destruction they had wrought upon Lac Glacei!
“Get those fighters into V formation and out in front of the larger ships now!” barked Lepardeaux as he lashed out at his adjutant. The poor officer jumped in salute before running off like a scared rabbit. Shortly afterward he noted the fighters coming into alignment in front of the fleet’s cruisers and destroyers. Among the remnants was an air carrier that, despite being outdated and damaged, provided a place for non-buoyant aircraft to re-fuel. Also to join the fleet were three cruisers and two destroyers, along with a number of smaller aircraft. Most had joined from surrounding bases following the razing of Alpreaux, Jardinais and the other villages comprising Lac Glacei, narrowly escaping the blast from the gravimetric implosion.
The gathered group was not entirely aware of the circumstances that led to their chasing a massive ship, nor why it had attacked Lac Glacei. All that most of the soldiers knew was that rebels piloted the ship, and that it was they who had destroyed their home. And for many, that was enough.
Lepardeaux was a man filled with the hate and anger of war. With the destruction of his home, he saw nothing else but the complete destruction of his enemy now. Nothing would stop him from seeing them destroyed, even if it meant his own destruction!
As the imperial fleet finally maneuvered into an acceptable formation the commander watched the shimmering lake-ship slowly diminishing across the horizon. The skies were clear and sunny, and the ocean waters glistened off the great ship as it sped away. Despite the distance, Lepardeaux felt confident that he would catch them. There was, after all, no place to hide a ship like that out over the great expanse of open sea. When his fleet did reach them, they would be easy prey for the faster ships in his fleet. And with his inflated ego, he relished the thought of victory and the rewards it would entail. Ordering the fleet to top speed, they began their pursuit.
“We’ll make better time now that we’re out over the Shire Sea,” said Rainier as he swung around in his seat to face Valeyon.
“Maybe so, but the imperial fleet seems to have pulled a few tricks of its own. First the gravimetric fighter, and now a fuel transport and several other ships have joined up with the fleet of helicopters pursuing us,” noted Valeyon sternly.
“Indeed, they must have come from stations outside of the city, since everything on the ground was destroyed with the impact of the gravimetric ship.” Rainier looked over to the radar console solemnly as the numerous little blips filled the screen. “But they’ll be slowed even more by the additional planes and the need to re-fuel. We, on the other hand, won’t be facing such obstacles.”
“We may face obstacles when we hit Benacia. We still don’t know what they have stationed there that could block us.”
“That’s why we’re going to head southwest down towards the Skyla Isles and skim around the continental coast through Yardistan, which remains friendly to us.” Rainier pointed to a faded and yellowing map tacked to the wall that showed the continent of Benacia looming against the lapping waters of the Shire Sea. To its south and along its southern coast lay the isles loyal to Yardistan, and ultimately those who would give sanctuary to the Celeste.
A dark pall was cast over Rainier’s face as he looked squarely upon Valeyon. “Strategy is not why I called you here today, Valeyon,” he said. “I have another matter of great import to discuss with you. Please, take a seat.” And he pointed to a moth-ridden chair nearby. Valeyon, quietly wondering what was on the Captain’s mind, took a seat without a word of comment.
Rainier continued, “We have in our care some several thousands of people who have entrusted to us their future, among them your dear Belle.” Valeyon rose to protest but was silenced by a wave of Rainier’s hand. “Please do not attempt to cover what is already obvious to the rest of us. She is a lovely young woman, and you should express your affection for her, not bottle it up. You never know when the chance to do so may be taken away from you!” Valeyon was shocked into silence by the rare show of emotion from Rainier. “I have already set the path of my fate in stone, and as such I want to make it clear that should anything happen to me, you are to assume full command of the Celeste and take on the responsibility of leading our people into a better future.”
Valeyon’s face became stern. “I hope you are not planning anything rash?” he asked.
“Is not this entire operation rash?” countered Rainier. “We are fighting a war here, and I cannot guarantee that I will not be one of many victims to these battles. There needs to be a contingency in place should the worst happen.”
“What about Clarion? He has seniority on me and I am certain you trust him more than me. After all, when this war began we were on opposite sides.”
“Clarion is old. He is a great asset, a fountain of wisdom, and a treasure we must cherish and protect. But despite all these virtues he is not a leader, and he is starting to show his age. No, I can trust no one other than you in this task.”
“Very well then, I accept,” announced Valeyon suddenly. “On the condition that you promise not to do anything rash that would otherwise expedite my promotion.”
“But of course,” replied Rainier in a calm manner.
Valeyon nodded and retired from the room, not noticing Rainier’s crossed fingers carefully tucked in his overcoat.
Meanwhile, among the imperial remnant fleet the captain of the destroyer the HMS Astra Equis, Lord Lepardeaux, busied himself with bringing the rag-tag fleet back under the heel of military authority. A short and stocky man, red in the face and short in temper, he was known as “The Leopard” for his stealthy air assaults. But the camouflage was cast aside this time; the enemy was in the open and there was nothing left to go back to. They would pay dearly for the destruction they had wrought upon Lac Glacei!
“Get those fighters into V formation and out in front of the larger ships now!” barked Lepardeaux as he lashed out at his adjutant. The poor officer jumped in salute before running off like a scared rabbit. Shortly afterward he noted the fighters coming into alignment in front of the fleet’s cruisers and destroyers. Among the remnants was an air carrier that, despite being outdated and damaged, provided a place for non-buoyant aircraft to re-fuel. Also to join the fleet were three cruisers and two destroyers, along with a number of smaller aircraft. Most had joined from surrounding bases following the razing of Alpreaux, Jardinais and the other villages comprising Lac Glacei, narrowly escaping the blast from the gravimetric implosion.
The gathered group was not entirely aware of the circumstances that led to their chasing a massive ship, nor why it had attacked Lac Glacei. All that most of the soldiers knew was that rebels piloted the ship, and that it was they who had destroyed their home. And for many, that was enough.
Lepardeaux was a man filled with the hate and anger of war. With the destruction of his home, he saw nothing else but the complete destruction of his enemy now. Nothing would stop him from seeing them destroyed, even if it meant his own destruction!
As the imperial fleet finally maneuvered into an acceptable formation the commander watched the shimmering lake-ship slowly diminishing across the horizon. The skies were clear and sunny, and the ocean waters glistened off the great ship as it sped away. Despite the distance, Lepardeaux felt confident that he would catch them. There was, after all, no place to hide a ship like that out over the great expanse of open sea. When his fleet did reach them, they would be easy prey for the faster ships in his fleet. And with his inflated ego, he relished the thought of victory and the rewards it would entail. Ordering the fleet to top speed, they began their pursuit.