Clay Warrior Stories Boxset 2 by J Clifton Slater

Author:J Clifton Slater [Slater, J Clifton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31 - Hilltop Command

Sweat ran down the sub-commander’s face and his ornate plumed helmet partially blocked his vision from where it twisted sideways during the run. At the top of the hill, he slowed and straightened the helmet. There was nothing he could do about the sweat because it was a result of the run and who he faced in the Citadel.

“Sun-commander Gisco, reporting,” he announced as he walked into the Admiral’s office.

“Sub-commander, are you well?” asked Hanno setting down a quill. “You seem feverish.”

“Admiral. The rebellion by the Sons of Mars was a diversion for an invasion,” Gisco stammered between deep breaths.

“An invasion?” inquired Hanno as he leaned back in his chair and stretched. His rib cage expanded and, under his robe, the muscles rippled across his chest. “And just who are these invaders?”

“The Republic, Admiral. They must have crossed the Strait during the night,” ventured Gisco. “As uncomfortable as it was, I remained with our troops after an initial engagement with the Sons. I thought if I gave them until morning, they would surrender. When we assaulted, five hundred Legionaries countered. I ordered a retreat and we set up defensive positions.”

“Five hundred Legionaries in Messina?” Hanno stated. He stood, walked out of his office, through the main hall and out the reinforced doors. At the top of the slope, he gazed down on the town. “I would think if there were five hundred of the dirt farmers, they would be marching up the main road by now.”

“Well, maybe I over estimated, sir,” Gisco offered. “They came out from between the warehouses and attacked. I could see more staged there and took the best course of action.”

“And the best course?” Hanno asked with a tilt of his head.

“I pulled our forces back four streets and set up barricades,” explained Gisco.

“A fighting retreat?” asked Hanno.

“Ah, no Admiral,” Gisco confessed. “They didn’t follow us.”

“Let me see if I have all the details, sub-commander,” sneered Hanno. “After one skirmish, you retreated and surrendered a quarter of Messina to a band of garlic eating savages. Is that right?”

“If you put it like that, Admiral,” replied Gisco. “Yes.”

“I do put it like that,” Hanno said with exasperation. “Call out the garrison and pull two companies from the southern wall. Do it now, sub-commander. Do not stop for breakfast, a glass of wine, or to use the latrine. Understand?”

“Yes, Admiral. Right away,” Gisco responded as he headed back into the Citadel to alert the duty officer and have him send out runners.

Admiral Hanno let his eyes roam over the town. From the hill, he could see details on the upper section. Further down, the houses blocked more of the streets and the lower section was a cluster of maze-like runs. Beyond the warehouses, the harbor reflected flashes of the morning sun and he observed Empire warships on the Strait. At least he didn’t have to worry about more Legionaries crossing with the Triremes guarding the eastern approach to the town.

Then his eyes caught movement on the hill at the Temple of Adiona.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.