Upon Stilted Cities - The Battle for Langeles by Michael Kilman

Author:Michael Kilman [Kilman, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732357648
Publisher: Loridian's Laboratory LLC
Published: 2018-10-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Prelude

As the sun rose above the horizon casting its net of colors, the shadow of Saud loomed large over Manhatsten. There was silence in the Barrens. Only the wind blew, but tentatively, like a dying man counting his last breaths.

Then the sounds came, ripping and tearing at the fragile quiet like trumpets bursting through emptiness. The sounds of weapon-fire announced their presence, and all knew that both cities would bleed. The hiss, the huff, the sound of sweltering tantrums drifted like worried fire across the horizon. Nine rail guns fired from Saud in deafening bursts. Round after round fired as they drew from Saud’s energy supply. It took several minutes before Manhatsten returned fire.

From a resident inside of a city, the view was spectacular and terrible. The impacts of both ballistic and energy-based weapons on the shield created extraordinary patterns in the sky, like the birth of entire constellations or universes. A sign of the end times.

Citizens of both cities dart down streets and up alleyways, desperate for shelter. Inside, the orange hue of the sky shifts towards blue-green as the shield failed both from the power drain of the weapon, and the impact of the rail guns.

From the tallest tower, Queen Sa’dah stands next to her advisors. Her face a bare grimace, riddled with strife. She ages by the minute, by the shot fired.

“You’re sure they were preparing for attack?” Queen Sa’Dah asks.

“Your Majesty, you did the right thing, striking now. If we had waited for Manhatsten to attack, then our chances of survival drop significantly,” said Aziz.

Sa’dah had hoped that there would never be another war with a rival city. But now that it was here it was obvious what was next. The future of humanity was a series of wars, of cities fighting cities, making half promises of allegiance and then turning on one another when it was convenient. It was exactly what the Children of Gaia wanted. Sa’dah felt heavy, even if they won, they’d already lost.

“Remember, my Queen, Allah decides the outcome of all battles.”

Sa’dah had known Aziz for a long time, but she had never known the man to be so thirsty for blood. When they were in the Rih together, Aziz had always quoted, “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.” He had always shared this verse whenever they came across a Runner from another city. In those days that happened often, there were more cities, more resources, more trade. But a hundred and seventy years can make a big difference and now Aziz had sought to convince her to attack Manhatsten, that they were transgressors, that they should strike first to survive.

“Aziz, it is easy to say such things from afar, but we both know well that in the destruction of another city there will be many innocent lives lost. I cannot help but think of the children. For their blood is the blood of the future.”

Aziz stood next to Sa’dah.

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