Morning dawned as so many had since their arrival on Niyu: bright, sunny, cloudless, and depressing. A fine day for fighting, according to the aide who woke them.
As he slipped mechanically into his clothes, Walker noticed that George had not stirred. “Not coming.” With a nod of his head, the dog indicated their immediate surroundings.
“There’s not much to do here,” Walker pointed out. There were entertainment recordings to peruse, but little else.
The dog lifted his head from his paws. “Not much to do until we leave this place, either. We came looking for help. We didn’t find any.” The furry head dropped back down. “At the risk of appearing impolite, or impolitic, if anybody asks, tell ’em I’m not feeling well. Which is true enough. I’ve no interest in watching the natives ceremoniously slaughter each other.”
“To tell you the truth, neither do I.” Walker moved toward the doorway. “But in spite of the general’s diplomatic refusal of assistance, you never know when he might let something useful slip.”
“If he does, just make sure you don’t fall on it.”
Walker hesitated, thought to say something else, finally concluded with a familiar “See you later, then,” and exited the room. He didn’t blame George for staying behind. While adding to their knowledge of Niyyuuan culture, their visit to the fortress had produced nothing in the way of concrete assistance. Not that this was anything less than what they had expected.
Inquiring as to the whereabouts of their host, he was informed that the general was up on the central bulwark. And that was where he found Saluu-hir-lek, intently engaged in a study of the hills and central plain spread out in front of the fortress, organizing tactics for the day’s battle. To Walker’s disappointment, Viyv-pym was not there. There was no reason for her to be present, of course. Traditional combat was something she had seen before, had experienced on a far more personal level than he ever would.
He did his best to appear cheerful. For his part, Saluu-hir-lek greeted him effusively. The general had as much energy as any Niyyuuan Walker had yet encountered.
Looking past the much broader human, he inquired, “Where you small associate?”
“Not feeling well this morning,” Walker told him.
“Asghik. I hope it not from eat you’s cooking.”
Walker blanched, then recognized that his host was making a joke. The general was full of surprises. “Expecting a rough day?” Turning, Walker contemplated the field of battle. All was quiet for now, with no sign of the besieging soldiers of Toroud-eed.
“I think they growing tired. Jalar-aad-biidh has not been breached, much less taken, in long time. This one valiant effort by them. All started because of some trade dispute. Is often the case. One more assault on outer wall fail, I think they go home.”
“And what then?” Walker asked curiously. “Will you pursue and try to destroy them so they won’t have the strength to attack you again?”
Morning light glinted from polished armor that had been forged in a modern factory and not by two-fingered hands working with hammer and tong. Saluu-hir-lek eyed him from the depths of wide, inquiring eyes. “You interested in military tactics, human?”
“Let’s just say that for much of my early life I spent a lot of time dealing with battlefield strategy.” He did not add that the object of that strategy had been to advance a small, oblong-shaped, inflated ball down a grassy field. Tactics were still tactics, whether the eventual objective was seven points or seven deaths.
“I am pleased by you interest. Besides cooking, you have perhaps in mind other goals?” Though Walker was mildly boggled by the Niyyuuan’s unintentional pun, the general of course remained utterly unaware of it.
“I want to go home. My friends want to go home. You know that already, General.”
The Niyyuuan gestured acknowledgment. “As I told you yesterday, not my area of influence. Can do nothing. Regrets only I can give you.”
They were both silent for a long moment before Walker, simply with an eye toward making polite conversation, thought to ask a question of his own. “What about you, General? What are your goals? Besides the ones your government and your official position have charged you with? Every sentient has personal as well as professional aspirations. Myself, I never thought I would become a professional food preparator. Now I find myself not only cooking, but doing it on different worlds for different species with entirely differing dietary requirements and tastes.” Moving a little closer, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Given a choice of anything, what would you do? What do you, Saluu-hir-lek, want most?”
A limber, pale hand reached out to him. Starting at Walker’s shoulder, two long, flexible, unarmored fingers traced a pattern down his arm.
“Such a thing is not for general speaking.” Perhaps this time, Walker mused, the pun was intentional. “But you not Niyyuu, not Kojn-umm. I tell you something, you keep secret. Tell no one. You eyes attest to this?”
Drawn to the alien’s unmistakable intensity, Walker did not hesitate. What personal ambition was so dodgy that an individual as powerful and connected as Saluu-hir-lek had to secure assurances of confidentiality before revealing it to an alien visitor?
“Of course,” he replied. Then he added formally, “I attest with my eyes that I will repeat to no one of this world what you are about to tell me.”
Saluu-hir-lek gestured solemnly. Then, instead of responding immediately, he turned to gaze once more out across the still-peaceful field of battle.
“It an uncommon thing, I know. Other officers, of all ranks, content enough to do their job. To follow orders. But when one is put in position not to follow orders but to give them, sometimes perception of reality, of world itself, can change.” He glanced over at Walker. “You have, maybe, some personal understanding of this phenomenon?”
“I’m not sure.” Something told Walker to tread with extreme care on this new subject, lest his host drop the matter entirely.
The general gestured enigmatically. “I endeavor explain. I am commander all traditional military forces of realm Kojn-umm. Rise fast within hierarchy. Many promotions.” All this was given as fact, Walker noted, for informational purposes only and insofar as he could tell, without boasting. Certainly the speaker did not wait for comment, genuflection, or other approval from his alien audience of one.
“I achieve much already. Defeat forces of Toroud-eed several times. Defeat forces of Biranju-oov twice. Could have taken both guardian fortresses of latter.”
“Why didn’t you?” Walker asked him.
Saluu-hir-lek’s disgust was plain to see, even to a newcomer such as Walker. “Governments make agreements between selves. Civilian control always overrules military, except when actual integrity of realm at stake. Was ordered both times to break off fighting and pull all attacking forces back to Kojn-umm.”
“You were disappointed.” Walker had quickly lost interest in the silent battlefield beyond the high wall.
Dominating the lean visage, huge dark eyes peered back at him. “You understand—perhaps.”
Walker dug in, persistent. “Last night you said that you sympathized with the situation my friends and I find ourselves in. I think I find myself sympathizing with you. You suffer from what my people would call thwarted ambition. Believe me, Saluu-hir-lek, from my previous profession I know many individuals who are afflicted with the same ailment.”
The general gestured understandingly. “It good to meet someone who appreciate condition. Even if that someone a great clumsy awkward alien creature like youself.”
“Thanks,” Walker replied dryly. “I think that, like myself, you also suffer from frustration—though it arises from a different set of circumstances.” He moved as close as he could without actually making contact. “You can tell me about it if you like, General—who would I pass the information on to? Given the opportunity, what would you most like to do with your life?”
Saluu-hir-lek paused, as if suddenly aware that he might already have said too much. But the strange, short-earred, lumbering creature was right. Who would it recite the telling to? There was no reason for it to do such a thing. Particularly since it was apparent that the government in power was doing its best to ignore the alien’s own requests.
“I tell you something now, human Walker. Confession before morning meal, you may think it. I come this close”—he pressed both fingers of his right hand lightly together—“to taking both traditional defending fortresses of Biranju-oov. Capture both fortresses, means realm suffering the defeat must make major concessions to vanquisher. In commerce, taxation, tariffs, residency matters—everything.” His other arm swept forward to encompass the still-tranquil battlefield.
“When finally defeat these attacking forces of Toroud-eed here, I could subsequently muster greater army and chase them back to borders of their own realm. Defeat them also there, I am certain of it! First Toroud-eed, then Biranju-oov. Would become greatest traditional military commander in entire history of modern Kojn-umm.” He waited with obvious interest for Walker’s reaction.
The human merely replied softly, “And then?”
A great sigh eased out of the general, leaving him for an instant as thin as a reed. “You do understand. You have same feeling, I think maybe.”
“No,” Walker told him firmly. “I’m not interested in what you’re interested in, though I would someday like to be head of the company I used to work for. If that can be called all-conquering, then I’m all for it. What I am interested in is getting home. Every day that my friends and I are restricted to Niyu is one day more we haven’t moved any closer to getting home. It’s becoming abundantly clear that in order to get the kind of assistance we need from official Kojn-umm sources, we need more powerful allies among its governing elite.” He eyed the general meaningfully. “The greatest military commander in the history of modern Kojn-umm would certainly be one candidate for that list.”
Saluu-hir-lek’s mouth expanded. “Strategy and tactics. If I were the individual of whom you theorize, is true I might be able to help yous with yous’ wishes. But I not that. Cannot be that.” He looked away. “You been on Niyu long enough know that one realm grow too powerful, others combine to put it in its place.”
“If its power is readily apparent, yes,” Walker agreed. “But there are many ways to camouflage intent. To disguise one’s true objective. That’s something I used to be very good at.”
Saluu-hir-lek turned sharply back to face the human. “You have idea? One, or many?”
“One that is many,” Walker told him, intentionally cryptic. “Interested?”
The Niyyuuan general remained wary. “This very chancy subject for open discussion. You make morning meal first. Bring you friend along if he feeling better, please. I interested also in his opinion.”
“The gist of my idea does not fall within his area of expertise,” Walker replied.
“I understand that. But I interested in his opinion all the same. You not object to presence during discussions of you’s own friend, do you?”
“No, of course not.” Walker had no choice but to concede the point. To have argued it further, he sensed, would have killed the general’s interest in such a touchy subject completely.
As it was, Saluu-hir-lek was clearly pleased. “Always better eat first. Not good discuss sedition and duplicity on empty stomach.” Putting a long, limber arm around the human, the general escorted him off the rampart and back into the depths of the fortress.
“Well, what do you think?”
The waterfall at whose base they had gathered was not high, but it was noisy, which was what Walker was after. As always, their appearance garnered the usual stares from passing Niyyuu. None approached the foreign visitors to the nature park, however. Visiting aliens were accorded the same privileges as locals. That extended to privacy.
And if common courtesy was not sufficient to discourage infringement, Braouk’s intimidating presence was sufficient to keep the otherwise intrigued at a distance.
Espying a shallow sandbar, Sque slid gratefully into the water. She remained there with only the upper half of her body breaking the surface, forcing her companions to settle themselves around her. No one minded the proximity to the manicured cataract that over the centuries had undergone a transformation from wild torrent to well-mannered cascade. Though carefully maintained native vegetation, lush and vibrant, flourished throughout the park, Walker would have traded every gaudy frond and twisted fiber of alien exoticism for one glimpse of a solitary daisy.
They had not come to enjoy the scenery, however, but to discuss their immediate future. One that Walker’s proposal promised to perturb appreciably.
“Is taking a chance, that could seriously unsettle, existing relationship.” Himself larger than many of the surrounding growths, Braouk’s initial response to Walker’s plan reflected his natural caution. “We have fashioned a comfortable arrangement with the Niyyuu. Involving ourselves in a scheme such as you propose, Marc, could damage that irreparably.”
Walker had anticipated numerous possible objections to his proposal. Braouk’s was one of them. “How? All decisions will be made by Saluu-hir-lek, all orders will be issued by him, and he’ll be the one to execute and follow through on every action.” He smiled knowingly. “That’s so he can also claim all the credit. No problem there. We’re not looking to get credit out of this. Our objective is to strengthen one important ally to the point where he’ll be able to demand instead of request the kind of assistance we’ve been asking for.”
As a relaxed George dog-paddled nearby, Sque focused her laserlike attention on the human. “It is apparent you have given this as much thought of which you are capable. I confess that I am more intrigued than I expected to be. But our moody Tuuqalian makes a point. Suppose that events do not proceed in the fashion desired. Our hosts are not so developed that their base desires have completely atrophied. This society still understands revenge, for example.”
Ignoring the fact that he was soaking his pants, Walker waded into the water and crouched down close to her. There was a time when such proximity to a four-foot-high tentacled nightmare like the K’eremu would have sent him screaming. Time and close acquaintance had long since altered both his view and his reaction.
“In that case, what’s the worst that could happen? The Niyyuu know we still have friends among the Sessrimathe. They’d probably just expel us, send us back to Seremathenn. In that case, we’d be no worse off than we were before we made the decision to come here.”
Half a dozen slender tendrils stirred the water lazily. Half in, half out of the cool stream, Sque was at her most physically comfortable. Mentally, she was still skeptical.
“It is true that if we do not do something, we condemn ourselves to remain forever poised on the cusp of inertia: a poor motivator of proaction.” Silver-gray eyes peered intently at him while her pink speaking trunk weaved back and forth close to his face. Used to its utterly alien presence, he ignored its fluttering.
“In order to have a chance of bringing this off successfully, I’ll need your knowledge and your help, Sque.”
“Of course you will,” she agreed tellingly. “You would have no chance whatsoever of succeeding without my active involvement. If nothing else, you will need the participation of a higher intelligence merely to keep track of all the possible ramifications of your proposed machinations. Which, I must admit, show a level of sophisticated multithinking I had not previously associated with you.”
“Believe me, I’m just as taken aback as you to find that certain requirements for success in my former profession fit the present situation unexpectedly well. How they’ll play out remains to be seen.” His legs were beginning to cramp from crouching in the sitting position, and he straightened up, water dripping from his pants. “Saluu-hir-lek is certainly fascinated by the proposal I laid out for him.” Turning to his left, he raised his voice to the giant, who remained back in the shade of the trees and well clear of the fast-moving watercourse.
“What about you, Braouk? Will you go along with this? As long as it doesn’t violate any accepted tenets of traditional Niyyuuan warfare, I’m sure the general would be delighted to see you in a suit of custom-made Kojn-umm armor.”
“More fighting is, not to my liking, right now.”
Walker did not try to force the issue. Given time and sufficient motivation, he felt he could inveigle the Tuuqalian into fighting. If not necessarily on behalf of their hosts, then in support of the broader effort to get all of them home. Convinced that was the real goal, Braouk might be willing to set his temperamental recitations aside and pick up a specially forged heavy sword. Four of them. The appearance of an armored Tuuqalian on the battlefield ought to be worth at least a company of regular soldiers to Saluu-hir-lek. The more invaluable they could make themselves to the general, Walker knew, the less likely he was to abandon the visitors’ goal once they achieved some measure of success.
That was Walker’s ultimate objective: to create an enterprise with a momentum of its own. One that not even Saluu-hir-lek, should he have a change of mind or heart, could halt. All would find themselves swept up in the same risky, mutual challenge.
Could he bring it off? Despite the assurances he had given the general, Walker’s confidence wavered. What he had proposed was something rather more demanding than selling pineapple juice futures short. Among his companions, George was a reluctant participant at best, Braouk still remained to be fully convinced, and one could never tell for certain when Sque might change her mind completely about something.
Then he remembered his own argument, and voiced it aloud to his companions. “We’ll do this because we can make it work. Because it will ultimately help us in our essential goal, which is to find our way home. But most of all we’ll do it because it’s the only thing any of us has thought of to get things moving here, since official policy apparently is to politely but firmly ignore our pleas for meaningful help.”
“And I shall also participate,” Sque added with unexpected passion, “because I am bored—bored!” Following this confession, she took on a startled appearance. Limbs flailing fervently, splashing water in all directions, she whirled in the stream to see what had assaulted her from behind. Grinning, George paddled rapidly away.
“I hate to see anyone bored,” the retreating dog shouted back as Walker wiped water from his face. “Especially someone with so many loose limbs hanging around just begging to be yanked.”
With the perpetrator of the outrage thus self-confessed, an irate Sque went after him. Faster in the water and much bigger than the mutt, it seemed an unequal contest. However, George managed to keep the infuriated K’eremu at bay with the one weapon she did not possess: teeth.
Watching them, Walker marveled at how far he and his friend had come. Not only from Earth, but of Earth. He was as comfortable now with K’eremu and Tuuqalian, Niyyuu and Sessrimathe, as he had been with friends and coworkers and girlfriends back home. If it was true what they said, that travel broadens the mind, then his had been broadened beyond the wildest dreams of all but the most mind-expanded travel writers. It had certainly all been fascinating, and enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
But even taken in toto, it was no substitute for a good concert or a night out with friends.
Though a bold and forthright fighter, Saluu-hir-lek was capable of subtlety when it was required. Preparations were begun quietly, without shouting or the usual kind of loud, patriotic exhortations to the populace that normally accompanied a significant military buildup. It helped that a major assault on the integrity of Kojn-umm had just been repulsed. The citizenry, not only in the capital but elsewhere throughout the realm, had experienced their fill of local combat. Enthusiasts had turned elsewhere, most notably to the war currently in progress on the other side of Niyu between the powerful realms of Gwalia-uun and Tigrada-eeb.
Largely ignored by the media as well as by the government, Saluu-hir-lek was able to slowly but steadily marshal his forces, increasing the size and strength of his brigades, most importantly those responsible for logistics and support. The latter, Walker knew, would be crucial to the success of his proposal, since if events transpired as hoped the expeditionary army of Kojn-umm would be in the field far longer than was customary.
It took a significant number of ten-days for the army to make ready. As the public became aware that a military campaign of unusual dimensions was being planned, questions about its propriety were raised in the media throughout the realm. Some were doubtful; some were supportive. Used to the respectful excesses of conventional Niyyuuan warfare, the great majority of citizens simply ignored the maneuvers while getting on with their daily lives. Unable to influence the outcomes of battles that nevertheless affected them deeply, they had grown used to trusting the strategic decisions of their military leaders. If it was determined that a punishing invasion of belligerent Toroud-eed was needed as a follow-up to that nation’s attack on Ehbahr’s traditional fortifications, then so be it. They would provide their support, as always.
And besides, if the assault was to be commanded by Saluu-hir-lek, their finest officer, there was always the chance of achieving a notable triumph, if not a spectacular victory. Commercial advantages could accrue. There was no lack of financial backing for the proposed expedition.
The media duly reported on the extensive planning, which could not be concealed. These reports made for solid, if somewhat monotonous, coverage and were always good for a fill if the day’s other news inclined toward the passive. As regular visitors to the main bivouac, Walker and his friends were fascinated by the contrasting combination of high tech and low reality that comprised the preparations.
Advanced air-repulsion vehicles banned from any field of battle delivered supplies that were laboriously transferred to selgeth wagons. The selgeth were hippo-sized bipeds with long trunks and comically floppy ears whose stout bodies ran to an excess of fat. Harnessed to large-wheeled wooden wagons in groups of three, they munched contentedly on whatever plucked vines and cut grasses were laid before them. Blessed with an inherent patience—and a complaisant stupidity—that verged on the somnolent, a troika of selgeth could pull a fully loaded wagon all day long without tiring or complaint. Others were yoked to mobile siege engines whose designs were thousands of ten-days ancient.
Custom allowed barrels and crates, but not their contents, to be made of plastics and other modern materials. Swords and spears and slingbolts could be fashioned by machines in automated factories, but once delivered to the army could only be sharpened and maintained by hand. More out of a desire to be able to defend himself in possible unforeseen circumstances than from any yearning to participate in actual fighting, at his request Walker was given instruction in their use. His senior Niyyuuan trainer was fascinated by the profusion of fingers on each of the human’s hands. Though shorter than the two digits that terminated in a Niyyuuan hand, and less flexible, human fingers were strong and had the advantage of numbers.
As for the other potential combatant in the group, Braouk needed no martial instruction. Utilizing all four powerful upper tentacles, all he had to do was grip whatever weapon was at hand and swing. Whether wielding sword, club, or stray wagon, the Tuuqalian was bound to do considerable damage. Especially if, as had happened several times when they were captives aboard the Vilenjji ship, he lost control of himself. At such moments, Walker would not want to be a member of a rival army. Surprisingly—though a rare event—there was nothing in the extensive official canon of traditional Niyyuuan warfare that prohibited the participation of an alien in local conflict, provided only that it utilized nothing more lethal than traditional forms of weaponry.
As for George, having nothing to grip a weapon with, he pointedly removed himself from instruction in their use, while Sque refused absolutely any martial schooling whatsoever. Primal physical hostilities, she remarked without having to be prompted, were beneath her and her kind. They had advanced beyond such foolishness. But she was quite willing to offer her often unsolicited opinion on tactics and strategy. Just because her kind did not make war among themselves did not mean they had not studied its format and consequences among other species.
The day chosen for the departure of the army dawned overcast and clammy. Walker and George would have preferred more sunshine, Braouk had expected nothing less, while Sque was delighted with both the darkness and the damp. As for the soldiers of Kojn-umm themselves, they were so keyed up by many successive ten-days of preparation that they had to be held back by their officers. It had been a long, long time since the forces of Kojn-umm had made a sortie against those of Toroud-eed. For years they had been restricted by their cautious commanders to the defense of ancient fortresses such as Jalar-aad-biidh. Now they were to be offered a chance to give the Toroudians a taste of their own medicine.
And then the politicians arrived.
There were four in the delegation who had come up from the capital. They were well dressed, well informed, and well meaning. As they addressed Saluu-hir-lek and his officers within the somewhat-claustrophobic confines of the staff wagon, they cast occasional glances in the direction of the three aliens who were also present.
“What are they do here?” one of the important visitors asked almost immediately.
The general gestured casually in the direction of his guests, as if the presence of outré aliens on a traditional Niyyuuan military exercise were an everyday occurrence. “They bring fresh views and a different perspective on tactics to the grand expedition. I value their advice, though of course I make my own decisions.” Saluu-hir-lek leaned toward the leader of the visiting delegation. “What do it matter? Does the government value gastronomic talents of biped so highly it would seek to restrain him from accompanying?”
The inquisitive official was immediately on the defensive. “Nothings, no, General. Was only curious to see them here. Is unexpected.”
If they think our presence is unexpected, Walker mused, wait until they see Braouk in full armor. The Tuuqalian was not present at the gathering for one simple reason: even shorn of armor and weapons, if he were to squeeze into the staff wagon there would be no room left for anyone else. No doubt he was even now off somewhere ingratiating himself to the Kojn-umm soldiery with lengthy recitations of venerable Tuuqalian sagas.
“The government has concerns,” another of the officials declared doggedly. She was unusually tall and slim, even for a Niyyuu, though the appropriately high-ceilinged interior of the staff wagon meant she did not have to bend to fit within. “It not that they troubled by thought of attacking Toroud-eed. Has been trade and other disagreements between our two realms for many long-times. But to attack an enemy just defeated seems to some an ill-mannered adventure.”
Truly, Walker reflected, the Niyyuuan way of war was more than a little different from the brand waged by his own kind.
“You fight force from Toroud-eed at wall of Jalar-aad-biidh for several ten-days,” the third member of the visiting party observed. “Beat them back each time. Most commendable victorying.” He made a gesture that Walker recognized as a praise flourish. “Why suddenly now the need, at considerable expense to the treasury, to follow so soon to attack that already-defeated force?”
Saluu-hir-lek glanced ever so briefly in Sque’s direction. The K’eremu did not react. The attendant politicians would probably not have noticed if she had.
“Toroud-eed expeditionary force seriously weakened by their losses sustained before Jalar-aad-biidh. They barely back in barracks. If attack them now, good chance they not strong enough to assist much in protection of Toroud-eed traditional fortifications. Exists for us excellent possibility of overwhelming defenses of the realm. Could bring momentous, if not necessarily total, defeat on traditional level of Toroud-eed itself.”
The tall female looked at the associate on her left before returning her attention to the general. “That quite a claim to make, General. Is also possible by committing so much of military resources of Kojn-umm to this offensive that we could be as weakened in turn. Assault will be widely broadcast across all of Niyu. If attack falters, other traditional adversaries of the realm might be tempted attack Kojn-umm while its main army occupied in front of fortresses of Toroud-eed.”
For a civilian politician, Walker decided, the tall representative had a respectable grasp of military tactics.
Saluu-hir-lek was ready with a response. “Integrity of Jalar-aad-biidh not seriously compromised by Toroudian assault. Other traditional walls and citadels not impacted at all. Sufficient forces remain in Kojn-umm to successfully defend time-honored interests of the realm. If I not believe this with all my self, I would not propose or plan this expedition against Toroud-eed.” His gruff, grating voice ascended until it filled the interior of the staff wagon with a sound like gravel being crushed.
“Is long overdue time we teach lesson to Toroud-eed once and for all. Who here not wish to see such a triumph?”
While impressed by his vision and his commitment, the visitors were not overawed. “All patriotic citizens would desire to see such an eventuation, General,” the first speaker declared. “What we not wish see is same thing happen to Kojn-umm while main army of the realm is occupied with ill-conceived escapade elsewhere.”
“We not here to stop you, General,” the tall female added. “You have approval of Council already. We here to inform you that we aware of all possible consequences.” Her wide eyes met his. “For sake you’s excellent career as well as future of realm, we wish you good fortune, good speed, and caution.”
“Yous’ constructive tidings welcome and accepted,” Saluu-hir-lek assured them expansively. With a flourish of his own, he escorted them from the wagon. Once outside, the eldest of the visitors glanced at the sky.
“No one believe anymore in omens. We a mature species—except in certain aspects of our culture.” He turned to face his host, his eyes flicking occasionally to the peculiar aliens who always seemed to be hovering in the background. “I hope you make this happen, General. I have seen many concessions made to Toroud-eed, Biranju-oov, and other adjacent realms. Is time surely for proud people of Kojn-umm to assert themselves more forcefully.” He stared at Walker, who remained standing near the rear of the staff wagon. “I hope the strange friends you have acquired help you to victory, and not to ruin.”
“Regardless shape or size or origin, I listen open to any who have good advice,” Saluu-hir-lek reassured the venerable delegate, “and then I make the decisions that best for Kojn-umm.”
Whether this response was sufficient to satisfy the elder, Walker could not tell, but neither the questioner nor any of his companions raised any further objections. They boarded the gleaming, nearly silent vehicle that would whisk them back to the capital in comfort and speed and were out of sight in seconds. But before they departed, one member of the delegation, who had heretofore stayed aboard the now-departed craft and out of sight, emerged to remain behind.
In late evening there was no sunlight to glint off Viyv-pym’s traveling armor as she approached the staff wagon, but Walker thought she looked splendid anyway. Next to him, George snorted in disgust, shook his head, and wandered off in search of something to eat.
Halting before him, she stroked his right shoulder and upper arm in greeting. He responded with a light touch of his own. As always, he risked losing himself in those eyes: sunshine and gold.
“Hello, Viyv-pym. Come to wish us good luck?”
“Come to join in great expedition.” Her eyes flashed. “Having already served two tour of military duty, had to request special dispensation to participate. Final permission from relevant department received only this morning.” She searched his soft, rounded, alien face. “You have objection?”
“Who, me? No, no,” he told her, perhaps too quickly. It was a good thing George had already left, Walker realized. Listening to his human friend’s near stammer, the disgusted dog might have piddled on his leg. “Glad to have you along. Someone else to talk to.”
“I am happy my presence please you.” One limber hand dropped to the hilt of her sword. “Opportunity also for small personal glory, and to kill a few rival of Kojn-umm.” Together, they started toward the dwelling wagon he had been assigned. “This very bold decision by Saluu-hir-lek. Destination is no secret, of course. Almost impossible conduct any military activity on Niyu in secret. Media are everywhere.”
Walker knew that in addition to the expected sizable contingent of media observers from Kojn-umm, broadcast units were also arriving to cover the undertaking from other realms—including Toroud-eed. The presence of enemy media representatives among them did not faze the soldiers of Saluu-hir-lek’s army. It was the way traditional warfare had been conducted on Niyu since the beginning of civilized times. “Well-mannered,” as one of the departed cautioning politicians had put it. There were ratings to be had, products to be sold, philosophies to be disseminated. A nice, steady, prolonged battle at the ancient gates of Toroud-eed would be good for everyone. Except for the soldiers who died, of course. There was only one glitch in that expected scenario.
Saluu-hir-lek had no intention of engaging in a prolonged conflict.
Unlike troop movements, it was possible to keep battlefield tactics reasonably hidden from the enemy. The defenders of Toroud-eed, hopefully still worn out from their failed investiture of Jalar-aad-biidh, would know that the forces of Kojn-umm were coming, but not what they intended to do once they arrived. No military strategist himself, Walker’s basic understanding of tactics stemmed from his days on the football field. From what Saluu-hir-lek and Sque had confided in him, he thought the overall plan had a chance of working. How good a chance he did not know.
Like everyone else, he would find out soon enough.
As for Viyv-pym, she was more than a little excited by the chance to go into battle again. Her arrival, at the last minute prior to the army’s departure, did arouse a question or two in his mind. He was not quite as smitten as George believed or Sque felt. Was she here for the reason stated, simply because she wanted to participate in the coming fighting? Or had she been sent to keep an eye on him and his fellow aliens, to see if they were engaged in some unsuspected activity inimical to the interests of Kojn-umm? Was she friend, or spy? Or had she been paid to watch over him and ensure that the premier imported culinary attraction of the capital came to no harm and was returned safely to work his gastronomic magic?
All were possibilities, by themselves and in combination. Time, he imagined, would reveal the truth. And if not time, possibly George, who could be positively prescient at times.
Meanwhile, they had a hostile regime to conquer. Walking toward his transportation, Walker found himself and his new companion assaulted, not by swords or pikes, but by media representatives anxious for material. The presence of the famous alien food preparator among the expeditionary force was a useful angle for questions. As Viyv-pym looked on in amusement, he answered all that he could, truthfully and without hesitation. They asked him about cooking, about food, about life on Niyu, about his opinions on the forthcoming campaign. Thankfully, they never asked him about tactics. That was natural enough. Such matters would not be regarded as something with which he would be involved.
Had they asked, he could have told them quite a bit, including some things that would have genuinely surprised, and perhaps even shocked them. Needless to say, he did not volunteer the data.
Because via the planetary media, the military as well as the citizens of Toroud-eed would be watching.