Defenders Rise by Mike Jack Stoumbos

Author:Mike Jack Stoumbos [Stoumbos, Mike Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seventh Seal Press
Published: 2023-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 32 - Nalpak

Nalpak thumbed through the scans taken by the scouting party. He, Selahr, and Jasper stood in his office, relishing in the stale but relatively clear air. It had been a smoky day for the Mill.

“How far north?” Nalpak asked.

“About fifty clicks,” Jasper said. “Fifty north, ten east, give-take, at the site of a previously functional farm. See the silos? Based on recent reports, they’re filling up with viable rations. Not necessarily tasty, but nutritious enough for the vegetarians.”

Nalpak narrowed his eyes. Density scanners were notoriously inaccurate, but this was more indication of new food stores than he’d seen in months. “The scouts did not engage?”

“As ordered. At least according to their leader. They stayed far enough away to not be seen but sent a drone to take some pictures.”

Nalpak again paused on the image of the CASPer. It was unmistakable, even at a distance, patrolling between buildings. “You said they only saw one?”

“They said they only saw one,” Jasper replied.

“There should have been more,” Selahr remarked. She had personally investigated the crater, which had certainly hosted weapons fire, but possibly from only one source. What they found underground, however, was part of an Ornio Armaments drop container, which should have contained at least two, probably four mechs. All this was speculation, and not information they wanted to leak beyond the North Quarter, even for corroboration.

“How do you want to handle it, Chief?” Jasper asked, bypassing the debate how many CASPers there might have been.

“We should prepare to attack,” Selahr began.

“No, let’s not be rash.” It was possible that taking the offensive was the best option, and if that were the case, Nalpak would need to requisition enough heavy arms to deal with a CASPer—even if only one. But with a widespread ration shortage… “Perhaps they would be interested in negotiating. Why have an enemy we could make an ally?” Nalpak ran his claws through the fur of his neck, contemplating the potential for an exclusive deal, for access to a resource which could restore the North Quarter.

He heard Selahr’s low, glottal purr just before he felt her claws gently tracing his upper arm. “This is why you will make an exceptional leader,” she said.

“You want to clue us in on the plan, or should I leave you two the room?” Jasper asked, his arms folded across his chest.

“We will refrain from acting too quickly,” Nalpak said, quieting the heat in his veins. “Once we’ve begun either threats or negotiations, we are committed to that first impression. And if we plan to act without the approval of the First Claw, we must also ensure that he doesn’t already know about the resettlement of the hydroponics facility.” The factors were too many, too uncertain, and too delicate for sudden action, even if bloodlust—or just lust—were inspiring less calculated approaches. The First Claw had been very focused on a few important deals and the West Quarter docking bay lately.

“Well, in the meantime, the CASPer rumors are spreading, and it’s only a matter of time before others start linking it to Ornio Armaments.

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.