Roxanne: And the Netherworld

By Dean Marquis

The War on Two Worlds continues. On the Netherworld the Becks Commonwealth launches an Assault on the planet of Budweiss. The Emperor issues an Orange Light Call and all the Landsknecht Legions respond but two. On Earth The 8th Soviet Guard Shock Army Launches an Air Assault Brigade on the Town of Budweiss in the Federal Republic of Germany in an attempt to relieve the pressure at the Fulda Gap. As The Machinery of War gear up, the Machines of Destruction arrive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491797822

Dean Marquis

Dean Marquis was born on September 6, 1961. This makes a Virgo. The sign of Virgo is the Virgin. He grew up in Hamilton, Ontario Canada and went to University at Lakehead in Thunder Bay where he got his Diploma in Business Administration. He served in the Primary Reserves during University and still believes that the Reserves are a great job for University Students. He has been taking the Martial arts since 1987 and will be taking it for the rest of his life. He is a Contract Security Guard and thinks that Unions are the only way to go with Contract Security. He has a Black Cat named Yojimbo which is his friend for life. This is first work of Science Fiction. Is first work is The Art of Strategy Dean Marquis and is available in Hard Cover and on E book. The sequel to Roxanne of Dark Energy is currently underway. The Assault continues...

Book preview

Prelude To Destruction

T he Tercio’s of Secunderbad changed targets from the Fleet and picked a ground target. A Target glowed Green on the ground.

This is a battle we cannot win, Moondragon thought. The Royal Army of Secunderbad was betrayed. The Gate had been opened. The Black Legion had been betrayed. Who would betray us. What would betray us to the machines. The Earthlings, they didn’t know who. I’m just a Silverfin, all I have are my charges. The Mystery will have to be answered by, The Ruling Counsel of Secunderbad, Moondragon thought.

The Black Legion has destroyed a Communication Ship at the loss of a Brane. The Sword of Dark Matter could be seen glowing green from Orbit. Even with the destruction of the Communication Ship there was just too many of them. The Sword of Dark Matter glowed green under Ultraviolet Light. The image of the Black Sword was ingrained on his brain. Moondragon knew that Budo wasn’t there because of the infant Havildar that he gave him. No on Secunderbad was left that mattered. Moondragon didn’t know whether the wielder of that sword was alive or dead and right now it didn’t matter. The Sword couldn’t fall into enemy hands. Moondragon remembered what Elvis said when Captain Sigismond was inspecting them. It seemed like a million years ago now. Oh Ya, Elvis told Captain Sigismond that, ‘he wanted to be a Star,’

We have to destroy that sword. We can’t let it fall into the hands of the machines," Moondragon thought. Everyone in his Tercio knew what he was thinking. Who knows the damage that they could do. Moondragon notified the Two Other Silverfins. He sent the message on a Data Link, an Ultra High Frequency Microwave Transmission. The Black Legion was sent the same message on all bands, on all frequencies. Moondragon could hear the Hammer. The Branes of the Black Legion got smaller. They were moving into sub atomic particles. Moondragon heard the Co-ordinates of the RV Point. The Direct Energy Weapons of the combined Armada locked on the Once Proud Planet. Moondragon could see The Sword of Dark Matter glow from Space. The Concentrated Energy Weapons locked on the target. The Massed Battery of the Three Tercio’s lasted only, for an instant. Elvis’s Sword of Dark Matter exploded. The stored vacuum energy that was in it exploded with a mighty roar. In that instant Elvis got his wish, in one big blast, he became a Star.

Chapter One

Sword Duty

I saw the cannons from the second SU 19’s hit the ground. Wherever, the 20mm cannons hit the concrete, a huge hole appeared in the concrete. A 20 mm Cannon Round, hit a blue Volkswagen Beetle and it exploded. The path fire left a trail of exploding concrete led to the lead vehicle. These shells hit the First Marder and nothing happened… The lead Su 19 was hit by the Gepard and part of his right wing broke off. The pilot tried to climb but instead, the plane dropped like a ton of brick. It headed straight for the Mercedes dealership at the corner. There was a slight pause and then the Mercedes dealership exploded. The Four AA-2 Atoll missiles and the extra fuel tanks added to the effect.

I ducked behind the corner of the building; it was purely a reflexive action. The rest of the Su 19’s flew straight like it was an exercise in Siberia. The Second Su 19 shot his load. All four of his AA-2 Atoll missiles fired at once. I guess they wanted to get that Gepard but good. The Gepard locked onto one missile and blow it out of the sky. The second missile hit the pavement next to the Panzer Commander and exploded. The third missile the second Marder and it turned into a fireball. The fourth missile hit the pavement, beside the third Marder. There was deafening roar. It was at that time that the AA Machine Gun from the third Marder kicked in. The Second Su 19 started to climb to the sky and it faltered. The 30 mm Cannon Shells were the same kind of slug as they fired. The Second Su 19 dropped to the earth like a ton of bricks and hit a Beer Hall on the corner. The Beer Hall and I both shuddered, what a waste of Becks, I thought.

The Third Su- 19 came in and shot his load as well. I guess he thought rightly, if the Gepard got them, there would be no second pass. All four of his missiles off at the same time. It seemed like they didn’t want to waste any more time. The Gepard had locked on to its target. The missiles from the third Su-19 hit the ground. One hit the pavement next to the third Marder. The second missile hit the Marder on the side of the turret and exploded. The explosion expanded into a Red Porsche 944 Cabriolet with the top down. The Porsche exploded into a red fireball just as the third missile hit the pavement next to the fourth Marder. The fourth missile hit the third Fourth Marder. The Missile detonated and the Marder stopped. I held my breath and waited to see if the Marder was totaled but I didn’t have time.

The Last Su-19 came in and it fired all of its missiles as well. I guess he figured they’d all be dead if they didn’t get that Gepard. The smoke cleared on the fourth Marder, the APC had a black mark on it but it didn’t move. The first missile from the last Su 19 hit the pavement beside the fourth Marder. The Gepard fired away at the third Su 19 as it was flying away. The Second missile hit the pavement, next to the Fifth Marder. The Third Missile hit the ground next to the Gepard. The Gepard got a bead on the Third Su-19 and was pumping 35 mm Cannon Rounds into it. The Last missile from the Last Su-19 was true. It hit the Gepard on the turret. The turret was blown clear of the tank for thirty feet but not before the third Su-19 was pumping smoke out of the fuselage. The Turret from the Gepard hit a Schnitzel House across the street. I saw the Third Su-19 go down behind the building trailing smoke.

The last Su-19 Pilot began to circle to start a second path with his 20 mm cannons. Now that the Gepard was finished the Su 19 could pick apart the rest of the Company with his 20mm cannons I guess the Company commander was doing the Panzer grenadier Version of the Ammo and Casualty Count. Three Su-19’s, for half a Company of Marder ’and one Gepard. I guess it was a good trade off for the Russians. I’d like to think what those Marder ’s were going to do to the Russians when they get to the front. The Marder carries an ATGW Missile and a rear AA mg. The Company of Marders would have been defenseless without the Gepard. That was War; it was a game of rock paper and scissors.

A couple of streets over, I heard some really loud Jet Engines. The only engines that came even close was that Harrier Jump Jet. I looked over at the source of the noise and held my breath. I saw a plane with green, brown camouflage on it. It rose vertically to above the heights of the building. This plane was going straight up. It was loaded for bear. It was a Harrier Jump Jet. I hoped it was the same pilot that helped us across the street. I thought the Panzer Grenadiers could have used some air support but one against four was not good odds. The Harrier was sure to get shot down. This low to the ground there was no way his chute was going to open even if he survived the damage. I assumed he wasn’t a coward so why……? Yes, it was that Gepard. The Gepard had a Radar Gun sight but I guessed Aircraft Recognition Computer Program was beyond the West Germans right now. Getting shot down by the enemy was in a Pilots Job Description; however, getting shot down by a friendly AA gun was not. No one in war says that you’re supposed to be shot down by your own side. The Harrier fired off its engines and went after last Su 19. I could see RAF on the side of the fuselage. How did he know that the Panzers had a Gepard? They must have had a forward observer.

The Su 19 must have seen the Harrier because it started to climb. I guess he was looking for elbow room. The Su 19 had no missiles and wanted to get into a scrap. The fully loaded Harrier was looking for his first kill. He followed him up into the Wild Blue Yonder, they were going to Duel in the Sky.

Chapter Two

The Hands of Time

W e all looked at the guy who said he was the Emperor of the Netherworld. I had a million questions for him but we didn’t have the Time, for even one.

Secunderbad has fallen. The Machines of Tannenhauser Gate have mastered Hyperspace, I elucidated.

Who are you, The man with the crown on his head beseeched?

We are from earth, I meekly rhymed.

Where are we, I probed. I looked around and saw Rows and Rows of desks with people behind each one. The Floor was made in Tile with some unknown picture in it. On the walls hung Tapestries, commemorating Battles in Far off Space. There were ten columns made of marble going from the floor to the ceiling, five on each side. The ceiling was domed in glass and this allowed the sun to beam through. The back wall behind the Emperor had a Painting of a Clock. This clock must have twenty feet in diameter. I guess this was Time. Budo remembered that Vikor of the Black Legion said that the Five Elements that they believed in were Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Time.

I held my Sword of Dark Matter firmly. I remembered what happened to Elvis and I didn’t want to follow suit. Death was death. Dying at the hands of some Russian Sniper on some Teutonic Battlefield, was no different than dying in any different world in Time and Space. I knew that he died because he was lazy. He was too lazy to carry his sword of Dark Matter.

You must call him your Majesty. Just because you come from a different dimension, it’s no excuse for bad manners, The Man behind the Emperor reckoned. He had a red suit on with a tall cap.

What is your fifth element, The man with the Crown mused.

My Fifth Element is Enlightenment, your Majesty, I issued. The feel of the Sword of Dark Matter felt reassuring. I looked at Spartacus and nodded.

Ours is Time, Young Man, The Man behind the Emperor enunciated. I looked at him and nodded.

Mine is Aether, your Majesty, Spartacus elucidated. He looked up at the Emperor.

Aether, what is Aether, The man behind the Throne protested?

Aethor is Space, Spartacus rebutted.

The man behind the throne stood up. He was a taller man then the Emperor. He was older with fair skin. He had creases in his tough leathery skin. He had short grey hair with a neatly trimmed goatee. He appeared slightly bent. He had on a Red cloak that was bordered in white. The Nine Rings of the Army of Circles were clearly emblazoned on his right chest. A silver chain hung on his neck.

You came from the same planet that Gustavus Adolphus came from, The old man echoed?

Yes, I reported. I felt relieved that someone has heard of us.

He does not amuse us, The old man argued.

Who are you, your Majesty, I solicited?

I am the Cardinal of Time and don’t call my ‘your majesty, Crowbone rejoined.

Vikor and Narnia never said a word about Crowbone.

You are the Emperor’s Advisor, I ventured?

Yes, I’m the Official advisor to the Emperor, Crowbone enacted.

Vikor and Narnia never said anything about the Cardinal of Time, I defied.

Who are they, Crowbone challenged?

They are or were two Landsknecht Medics that we met on Secunderbad, I edified. I still hoped that they were alive.

A Combat Couple, Crowbone mused. He scratched his goatee with his right hand and frowned.

Yes, I adumbrated.

I really don’t care what Two Landsknechts, from the Black Legion think, The Cardinal of Time rebutted. Crowbone looked around the room for support.

Vikor healed me when I was hit with Soman, I protested.

What is Soman, young man, a man in a bright green uniform transmitted. He had a swarthy complexion and was stocky.

It’s a very effective Chemical and Biological Weapon, I lectured.

You have Chemical and Biological Weapons on your world, The man in Green repeated.

Unfortunately yes, I adumbrated.

The man in Green shook his head, looked around the room and sat down. The Cardinal of Time set down.

What did they say about me, The Emperor behest?

They said that the Emperor was elected, I rejoined. It was the truth or I hoped it was.

Hmmm, The Emperor languished. He propped up his elbow on the side of his throne and looked down on us. He had on his head, a throne that was gilt in gold. His coat was made out of fur and a golden chain hung on his neck. He had a Crown on his Head and was holding a small Chalice. He looked fifty and had short black hair and brown eyes.

Yes, you’re Majesty, I lamented. As a Corporal in the Army, I was used to calling everyone by their Job Description. Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain were common for me and Major on the odd occasion and if I was really bad, I’d meet the Colonel. It was ironic because most of the Times I met the Colonel it was because of his daughter Jolene. When Jolene wanted to get back at her Father, she would have sex with me, an enlisted man. The shit would hit the Fan and the Fan was pretty high up on the Command Structure.

Is your Majesty any different, I thought. As long as he didn’t tell me ‘to adopt the position’ and order me to do push ups, I wouldn’t care who he was.

I didn’t like Gustavus Adolphus. All he wanted to do was give me orders, The Emperor of the Netherworld took another swig from his Chalice.

I have no idea why they, disobeyed there Orange Light call, The Emperor wondered?

There was a Border Incursion from the Sultanate of Rum and they were needed, The Cardinal of Time transmitted.

Yes, you are correct, The Emperor behest.

Thank you, your Majesty, Crowbone solicited. The Cardinal of Time looked at his fingernails like it was part of his job description.

The Black Legion are loyal troops, Your Majesty, I petitioned.

No one can command them but me, Crowbone decreed. The Cardinal of Time pouted.

The Cardinal of Time looked around the room to see if anyone disagreed with him. No one did.

Were they all destroyed, Crowbone implored?

I do not know, I answered.

They are good troops, I challenged.

They always were. I have no idea why the fell under the Spell of that Charleton, The Emperor debunked. He took a swig from his chalice.

All of the Army of the Circles, are well trained, Crowbone confirmed. He looked up at the light coming through the ceiling.

If I see them again, I will have to Transfom them into Sub Atomic Particles, destroy there Standards and send them into a Black Hole, The Emperor administered.

There memories will be stored in the Imperial Library for all time, The Cardinal of Time reckoned.

The room went silent. Everyone was paying there respects or disrespects silently Isn’t your Majesty, worried that the machines will arrive here, I solicited? These people are being pretty calm considering the fate that awaits them.

These Machines as you say, still need a Reference Point, young man, Crowbone illuminated. He looked from the Emperor to me.

Hyperspace Travel between Gates was only possible because of the gates. If the machines have mastered Hyperspace like you say; then they can’t magically Appear and Disappear. They will still need Reference Points, Directions and a Purpose, The Cardinal of Time reiterated.

That is very wise, I confirmed. I guess it’s still must be like taking a compass bearing on a map. First you need to have Two Reference Points and to know True North.

I know, Crowbone stayed.

Guards take their weapons, Crowbone directed. He waved his hands and his Guards appeared from the Cracks and Crevices of the Empire.

Vikor said that people went missing here. That wouldn’t be to hard to believe, I thought.

No way man. I’m not giving up my Gpig again Bronxy preached. Bronxy held his weapon on his hip. like he wanted to drop the Hammer. Bronxy had the Fulda Gap as his Reference Point, he had his direction and Purpose. A belt was in his GPIG, it was locked and loaded. The rest of the squad held out there weapons. We were still clustered in a group. The Cardinal’s Guard was dressed in Red with matching Field Caps. They had a badge with the Nine Rings of The Army of the Circles on their left shoulder. On their Right shoulder they had a badge with clock on it. They pointed their weapons at us. Their weapons were short and stubby and made of silver. We had no mistake of there direction or purpose. We had our weapons at the shoulder and aimed at the Cardinals Guards

I looked up at Yojimbo and he glowed green. If Yojimbo glowed green, then we were all green. I looked at Clayman to see what he was doing. Clayman glowed green. He just stood there with both hands clutching his Sword of Dark Matter. I looked at Roxanne and she shook her head.

Stand down, I ordered.

Stand down, I repeated. Some lowered their weapons, some pulled up they’re weapons. One at a time. First it was Master. Then Spartacus and lastly it was Bronxy that lowered the Squad Heavy Weapon like his muscles were tiring under the Strain.

That’s what we like to see, The Cardinal of Time solicited. Crowbone grinned and nodded.

Give them your service weapons, I directed. I held out my M 16 by the handle. A Red uniformed Cardinal Guards took it from me. The rest of the squad looked at me and held out there M 16 by the carrying handle. Last but not least Bronxy gave up his lovechild.

I better get my 60 back or I swear that, I’m going to kill someone, Bronxy chimed. He was flexing his fists and unflexing them. If he could take a swing at something he would.

Crowbone looked around the Great Hall, apparently he was pleased himself. He was the kind of guy, who liked to take things away things that people cared about them. It was a direct relationship, the more the item mattered to the individual, the more it mattered to Crowbone. Apparently the Netherworld was not a nice place, I thought.We’re not leaving that Havildar with you. We have to have him, Crowbone cogitated.

That’s going to be impossible, I challenged.

He has to go, Crowbone persisted. Yojimbo started blinking really fast. The shield was up. My hands turned green. Everyone in the squad turned green. The Cardinal’s Guard stayed there approach. Yojimbo could be pretty intimidating when he wanted to be, I thought.

This Havildar has been bonded to me. He has become part of me, I directed.

How, that has never happend. Havildars have only bonded to Silverfins, Crowbone proselyted?

What are those green things, He directed. Crowbone held his right hand was it was outstretched; however, he was groping for air. The closer he got to his purpose, the further away he got from what he wanted, I thought.

Things were happening fast, too fast. Roxanne told me that I had to think on my feet and now I knew why.

They are Spirits Stones, I defied. I looked at Roxanne and I could see a smile appear. I turned around and looked at the squad and they were all looking at me. Even Clayman seemed like he was probing me. My Sword of Dark Matter was facing point down. I held up my Sword of Dark Matter slightly, with the point downward winked at them.

I’m not giving up my Spirit Stone, Master reckoned.

I’m not giving up my Spirit Stone, Bushmills confirmed. I guess Bushmills got the message, when he watched Elvis die because he couldn’t make the jump. I have a Sword of Dark Matter.

I’m not giving up my Spirit Stone, Spartacus enjoined.

We can’t give up the Havildar, he has been bonded to me. You would have to kill us all and because of him that would take a great deal of Firepower to do that. I don’t want to give him up even if I could, I confirmed. I petted Yojimbo and he blinked a couple of times.

The Spirit Stones are ours as well, I chimed.

I looked around the room. It appeared that we had achieved a détente of sorts. No one here apparently had seen what a properly motivated Havildar could do. The Black Legion had: however, and they weren’t here.

Why are they your Spirit Stones. I need to know, now Crowbone challenged? He scanned us for signs of weakness.

They’re our Spirit Stones, we would be lost without them, I cogitated. I held my sword tighter and resisted the urge to brandish it like a weapon. Vikor or Narnia stated that sometimes they use archaic weapons. I must admit that a sword is pretty archaic. The only thing more archaiac then swords were Rocks. I was betting that these guys don’t go within a hundred miles of real war. Either way I wasn’t giving up on principle. Our fate was tied to the Way of the Sword, like The Swords of Dark Matter were pointing True North.

I looked up at the Imperial Throne to see if the message was received. The Emperor looked at his Cardinal dubiously. The Cardinal of Time didn’t like it, one bit. He bartered glances with the Emperor. I realised why the Cardinal of Time was the Power behind the Throne. Vikor said, the Emperor of the Netherworld was elected for life; however, what about Crowbone. We all looked at each other for answers; however, we were all disappointed.

If they are your Spirit stones, You can keep them, than, Crowbone decreed. He looked down.

Yes, keep them, The Emperor echoed. Crowbone looked at the Emperor and at first he was visibly upset. Then his frown inverted itself and a sly smile appeared.

How did you get here, Crowbone mused. He sat down in his chair content in the knowledge that he could pull a rabbit from a hat.

I looked at him, it’s going to have certainly be a really big hat.

The Machines have achieved Hyperspace Travel. They can jump without the gates, I reported.There is no Gate here and yet here you are, The Cardinal of Time deliberated.

The Gate for the Netherworld is not here. For Hyperspace to be possible, you still need Reference Points, Crowbone countered. He folded his arms across his chest.

How did you get here, Crowbone persisted?

I don’t know, I stayed. Roxanne was the reason that we were here; however, I couldn’t tell him that.

Do not tell them about me, Roxanne thought. I looked down at the floor. I can’t say Roxanne because I’d giving away my advantage. My hands ripped the handle of the sword tighter and I realised that I was holding on to the sword.

It’s the Spirit Stones, I ventured. I felt like I was walking on a bridge that didn’t exist and if anyone told me, I’d fall down.

Yes, of course, Crowbone rebutted. He looked impatiently down at my sword.

Your Sprit Stones, gives you the ability to jump in Hyperspace, The Cardinal of Time defied.

Spirit Stones, as you said got you here, Crowbone acknowledged. The Cardinal of Time looked pretty Skeptical.

Clausewitz stated that Pursuit was second only in importance to victory.

That’s why Unrestricted Hyperspace Travel was possible. I volunteered. The Cardinal of Time was unconvinced.

We couldn’t have gotten here without them, I mused. I was lost in space literally and proverbially. There was a problem with what I said, I thought. There was a chink in our armour. That being said, the Spirit Stones would have to know where to go, I thought. The other discrepancy was that the Machines would have to use Spirit Stones to get here. Crowbone thankfully didn’t pursue the matter at this time and I of course didn’t object. Crowbone stood up again, he knew he had us; however, he didn’t know how. The other fear I had was that we may be overpowerd and our Swords stolen from us; however, Yojimbo was here to prevent that. He looked around the Imperial Diet for inspiration. He stopped and stared at point in space in time. I followed his haze and he was looking at someone in the stands although I could not determine the origin of his gaze.

So young man, your saying that your Spirit Stones have a directional device in them, Crowbone solicited?

Yes, I adumbrated. Roxanne is going to have to be our homing beacon, I thought. Crowbone appeared mollified and sat down.

A Man in the Imperial Diet stood up. He was in his forties. He was tall and slender. He had the Grey Uniform of the Landsknechts on.

Permission to speak, your most August Majesty, He said.

Permission granted, The Cardinal of Time edified. Crowbone looked at the Clock behind him like it had moved and sat down.

Everyone here knows you; however, please identify yourself for our visitors, The Emperor decreed.

I am Lord Halbardstadt, I hold the Office, of High Lord of the Tower. The Landsknechts are in my domain, The High Lord of the Tower illuminated. He said it like he had lots of practise. Speak, It’s about time we heard someone speak, from the Army of the Circles. Crowbone proscribed. The Cardinal of Time placed his hands in a Prisim.

The Black Legion, have been taken off our Order of Battle, The High Lord edified.

They have refused they’re Orange Light Call. There was an Investment by the Sultanate of Rum on the Landgraviate of Budweis. As we all are aware, the Sultanate of Rum is unequalled in Siege Warfare. They had built Lines of Circumventalation around the Landgraviate of Budweiss. The Janissaries almost gained a foothold at the Gate at Budweiss. The Knethillhill at Budweiss was overcome by the Sultanate of Rum. It was only the timely arrival of the other Landsknecht Legions that lifted the Siege, The High Lord of the Tower reported.

I remembered the troops of the Black Legion, I wondered what the Name of the Black Legion was before Gustavus Adolphus took them over. A good leader has that effect on people, I thought. A Great Leader can affect organizations. An even Greater One can affect History.The Black Legion will be a disgrace to our Order, the High Lord of the Tower exemplified. Crowbone was sitting down and had made a Prisim out of his fingers.

They have to be made an example of, The Emperor impeached. I didn’t know how much of this was real and how much of it was for our sake. I still expected to wake up on Earth and do our Five Mile Run at the Fulda Gap.

We still don’t know where the Black Legion is, your Majesty, The High Lord of the Tower reiterated. He looked around the room for answers; however, none were forthcoming. Their only life form in the room which might have known where the Black Legion was, would be Yojimbo and he wasn’t talking.

If Secunderbad has fallen like the Visitors have said, then they could be anywhere, The High Lord of the Tower surmised?

However if I could hazard a guess, I would guess that they are with the Royal Army of Secunderbad, The High Lord elucidated.

Where are they, Crowbone enacted? The Cardinal of Time stood up again and put his hands on his hips. His prism disappeared as did his wisdom.

That Havildar might know, The High Lord of the Tower implored? He looked at Yojimbo and Yojimbo returned his gaze and blinked.

They have to be shot into a black hole and circle the Quasar on the other side, Crowbone articulated.

I didn’t know what in the world he was talking about.

Then we can go to the Imperial Library and laugh at their Memories, The Emperor decreed.

Yojimbo seemed to know what he was saying because he was blinking furiously again. We still glowed green, so Yojimbo thought that someone here was a threat.

Your not taking the Havildar and he doesn’t want to go, I defied. I looked back up at Crowbone and frowned.

We have been there and it leads to a dead end, The Cardinal of Time edified.

The big question is where do you think that, the Royal Army of Secunderbad is, The High Lord of the Tower challenged. Lord Halbardstadt looked at us. He held up some papers and glanced at them. The Lord of Halbardstadt was wearing the grey BDU’s of the Order of the Landsknechts; however, he didn’t have blonde hair. His hair was black and cropped short in military fashion. His eyes were too far away for me, to determine their colour. I guessed The High Lord of the Tower was a political appointment and not a promotion. I looked at his aide, he was male. He didn’t have a Combat Buddy. The Lord of Halbardstadt had never jumped in and out of a brane. Come to think of it, everyone here, had different coloured hair and eyes. A person in the Green uniform stood up. He had nine rings on his shoulder. It stood for the Army of the Circles, I thought. He had on a green hat, he had a swarthy reflection and he wore a goutee.

I looked around the room. I didn’t know where those Red Uniformed Guys were but they can’t be far away. Everyone in the Room was looking at us, for an easy answer.

Could you tell everyone your name, so that our esteemed guests could know who you are, The Cardinal of Time labored.

My name is Marshal von Manstien and I am leader of the Army of Circles, He rhymed.

They don’t have a Reference Point and they’re choices are limited, He ventured. Lord Halbardstadt and his aide, sat down.

I guess they’re rebuilding, I garnered. Marshal von Manstien nodded in agreement.

The Black Legion under Gustavus Adolphus was committed to helping the Royal Army of Secunderbad, I recounted.

The Havildars hated the Machines, the Black Legion hated the Machines enough to disobey your Orange Light Call. Maybe the Black Legion is off planning a Counterattack, I illuminated. Von Manstien looked at us and then he looked at the Emperor.

The Havildars could retake Secunderbad or they could destroy the Shrine at Tannenhauser Gate, I cogitated; however, That too was just a guess.

Now that everyone has had a taste of unrestricted Hyperspace Travel, maybe they would like it and they may never want to go back to Gate Travel again, I ventured. It might be like eating peanuts. Once you start, just can’t just have a one

How do you think that Unrestricted Hyperspace Travel would take place, The Lord of Halbardstadt laboured. His aide was standing next to him and they appeared to be conversing.

looked at Master. This was his strength, he was the leader of the Geek Squad.

They would have to form them, Master adumbrated. He looked at me like a deer caught in some headlights.

Louder, I directed. I raised my hands in the air repeatedly in despair.

They would have to Form there own jump gates, Master edified.

I thought that Free Hyperspace Travel came at a huge price. Dark Energy came from the destruction of Life and the memory of it. It cost us the memories of those that were taken, so that the Shrine to Time could be constructed. The Three Elements of Dark Energy helped construct it. The First Element was Gas, The Second was Liquid and Third came from Solid. The Shrine of Time was also constructed by their MSW and the Microwave Cannons of the Machine. The High Lord of the Tower placed his papers down on the desk and looked relieved.

That would be my guess as well, he enjoined.

How long would it take, to mount an expedition to destroy the Black Legion, Crowbone administered. The Cardinal of Time placed his elbows rested on the arms of his chair as if he wanted to be relieved of his responsibility. He formed his hands into a prism once again and was deep in thought. I don’t know why they had not destroyed them before. I guess at that time they would have to fight the Tercio’s of Secunderbad as well.

It would take a while, The High Lord of the Tower stayed.

Couldn’t you give me an estimate, Crowbone petitioned.

I’d have to include other factors. I’d have to include Mobilization Times. I’d have to include the threat of The Sultanate of Rum. We just finished a war with them and I wouldn’t be eager for another, Lord Halbardstadt illuminated. The Great Halls echoed with the sound of his voice.

The Cardinal of Time looked at the Emperor of the Netherworld; however, he just took another swig out of his Goblet.

What says the Army of the Circles, Crowbone ventured.

I’d have to include the problems of unrestricted Hyperspace Travel and there’s always the Becks Commonwealth. The Becks Commonwealth have always been an unknown quantity, The Marshal of the Army of the Circles lectured.

Yes they have always been, The Emperor confirmed.

The Beck’s Commonwealth could always see this as a sign of weakness and attack, He mused. Then there’s the threat that the Machines are coming here, The Marshal of the Army of the Circles defied. He picked up his papers and turned them over, so that he could read whats on the other side.

They would still need a Reference Point, The Cardinal of Time argued.

Yes they would. If they did not, our Two Enterprises would pass each other without knowing, Marshal von Manstien reported.

That would be a mistake, The Cardinal of Time confirmed.

That would be a tragedy. It would be the death of all we hold dear, von Manstien decreed.

The High Lord shuffled some papers and appeared like he was looking for something in particular.

You said, that the Havildar might know where the Royal Army of Secunderbad was, Crowbone interjected.

The Silverfin he belonged to, would have to still be around, The High Lord of the Tower debunked.

Didn’t you say that a Havildar needs a Silverfin to survive, Crowbone admonished.

They need a purpose, Lord Halbardstadt interjected.

I believe the protection of this Group appears to be his new purpose," The High Lord of the Tower illuminated. The Cardinal of Time got up turned around and looked at the clock.

A person standing next to the Marshal of the Army of Circles motioned for him to come closer. He whispered something in his ear.

Then there’s the other factor, von Manstien directed. He stood up and his voice echoed in the Great Hall

What’s that, Crowbone countered. The Cardinal of Time bartered glances with the Marshal of the Army of the Circles.

There’s always the chance that the Gate at Secunderbad is still operational, von Manstien illuminated.

Then they could use the Gate at Secunderbad to come here, The Cardinal of Time behest. Crowbone pouted, like he just found out that there was someone in the Room who was smarter than him.

Yes, they wouldn’t even need Unrestricted Hyperspace Travel, The Marshal of the Army of the Circles added. He shuffled some papers some more. He ran out of papers.

That would be our worst nightmare come true, The Emperor interjected.

That is the most probable answer as well, The Cardinal of Time cogitated. The High Lord of the Tower sat down looked at us and started conversing with his assistant.

Crowbone looked around the room, to see if he could find any easy answers. The more he looked the more discontented he became.

Before the Emperor of the Netherworld decides on a course of action, he’d like to hear all of the alternatives. Let us hear from anyone who has a suggestion The Cardinal of Time directed. He sat down with a flourish like it was some big event. I had a few suggestions for him but he probably didn’t want to hear them, I thought. I looked around at the squad and everyone was downcast. They had to give their service weapons up again. We still had our grenades, we still had our K bars for a last ditch defense. Spartacus might be able to use a sword if he decides to go Spartan on us. Who knew what Clayman was capable of. I had my Sword of Dark Matter, that was forged for me by Machines of Destruction. I had cut down two machines and I wanted more.

My thoughts, were cut short.

Permission to speak, your majesty, a different man stood up.

Yes please identify yourself, for our guests, The Emperor behest. He waved his hand up and motioned for the new person to speak.

I am Lord Hasselholt, the High Lord of the Exchequer, Lord Hasselholt continued. He was short and full. He was different from everyone that I’ve seen. He had shoulder length black hair, tied in a ponytail. He had a neatly trimmed goatee and a pair of glasses. He wore a white outfit with gold trim on the front that made him look like a band leader. However he had on a large black leather belt that, made him look like Santa. He held on to a silver walking stick, like it was going to stop from falling off a steep precipice.

We are undergoing a Financial Crises right now, The High Lord Exchequer confessed. An assistant gave him some papers. She also had on a white uniform, that made her look like she was the band. Her uniform figure fit her snugly. She had more than just a few curves and it looked like the High Lord Exchequer was generous with his figures.

The Imperial Treasury cannot afford another Orange Light Call. The Tribute to the Becks Commonwealth is a constant drain, The High Lord Exchequer illuminated. Apparently the Treasury was flat unlike his assistant. I looked at his assistant and felt a tug in my pants but I had to