Foster, Alan Dean Damned 02 The False Mirror

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attempted for some time."
Producing a wand, he used it to generate the image of an alien star system,
complete to moons and asteroid belt. An occasional comet sped through the
three-dimensiona construction to vanish in odd comers of the room. The attentive
listeners ignored such cosmic distractions.
Sharpening focus, the speaker drew their attention to the fourth world out from
the slightly pale sun. It exhibited the familiar single large landmass haloed by
clouds and ocean.
"This is Ulaluable." Since his translator was not pro-grammed to react to proper
names the officer had to pro-nounce it slowly for his audience. "Not a large
world nor one particularly rich in natural resources, though it has its share.
It occupies an important position beyond what the Weave would refer to as its
frontline, if such archaisms had any meaning in space." As he manipulated the
wand controls illuminated portions of the projection punctuated his speech.
"It possesses fewer than the usual complement of is-lands, a benign climate,
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many highlands, and modest mountain ranges. There are highly productive
farmlands. Since it was first settled Ulaluable has been a significant
contributor to the enemy resistance. Naturally it is well defended." Pinpoints
of light sprang to life on the plane-tary surface.
Birachii squinted at the projection. "Mighty extensive troop distribution for a
contested world. Where are our forces concentrated? In the opposite hemisphere?"
The officer caused the globe projection to rotate a hun-dred and eighty degrees.
The scattering of indicator lights on the other side of the landmass was not
significantly different from what they had already observed.
"Ulaluable is not a contested world." Only after the resultant buzz of startled
conversation began to fade did he add, "It is in fact a highly developed,
thoroughly civ-ilized world, long ago settled and largely colonized by Wais,
though there is also a substantial minority Hivistahm population."
"Which means there's no way we can carry out a land-ing there." Cossinza
gestured at the rotating globe. "The defenses of a settled world would cut us to
bits as soon as we touched down."
The officer turned to her. "Though Ulaluable is highly developed, its largely
agricultural nature and intermittent mountainous topography offer unpopulated
expanses where a determined landing force might successfully establish itself
before the planetary defenses could muster a reac-tion. Certainly the population
does not expect an attack."
"With good reason," Soratii noted. "Who makes up the defending garrison?"
"It is largely Massood, with the usual Hivistahm tech-nical support teams. There
are some Humans present but according to the best available intelligence their
numbers are small." The speaker regarded his audience earnestly.
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"Much time has been devoted to the gathering of req-uisite intelligence. There
are many reasons besides its to-pography why Ulaluable lends itself to
unexpected attack. Most of its major power facilities lie exposed in the
foot-hills and mountains. Several important communications centers have been
constructed nearby. If these could" be overrun before the defenders could bring
reinforcements to bear, it would give an invading force not only a tactical
advantage but considerable leverage in any subsequent ne-gotiations.
"One reason why something like this has not previously been attempted is because
the usual Ashregan-Crigolit-led strike force could not advance from objective to
objective quickly enough to make it viable. The enemy's confidence springs from
identical knowledge. Your special teams have demonstrated the ability to attack
with speed. With your
people in the vanguard our tacticians believe a successful invasion of Ulaluable
can be carried out. The local Wais population is of course incapable of offering
any resistance." He hesitated.
I do not think I need speak of the effect such a defeat would have on Weave
morale."
The initial speaker regarded them solemnly. ' 'If more of your kind were
available we would consider attacking an even more important enemy world.
Ulaluable was cho sen specifically because of its perceived vulnerabilities. We
value you all greatly and have no intention of sacrificing you on behalf of a
gesture.
' 'Because of the unique nature of this expedition participation is not
compulsory. No opprobrium will attach to any who choose demurral." Silence
greeted his words. Wishing badly to say a great deal, Ranji could only keep
still. The elder officer gestured approvingly. "I believed Iand hoped that would
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be your response."
His slightly junior colleague surveyed his expectant audience. "You will have
the best backup available. Experienced Ashregan, Crigolit, and Mazvec troops
drawn from ' other theaters of conflict will fully support your strikes. We are
depending on you to provide speed and decisive-ness, not overwhelming firepower.
' 'If it appears that despite all our careful planning the gambit is doomed to
failure, you will be brought out im-mediately, irrespective of risk to
evacuating personnel."
"Even if it means losing a ship," added the senior of-ficer. "The High Command
holds your troops in that much regard."
"We don't think you will fail." Certainly, Ranji thought, both speakers sounded
confident. "If we did, this venture would not have reached the planning stage,
much less advanced this far beyond it."
Like his companions, the proposal left Ranji somewhat dazed. It was so
unexpected because it was utterly unlike the strategy of patient attrition the
Amplitur had favored for a thousand years. They were adapting to new
circumstances with a speed that left him breathless. How the Weave would react [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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