CHAPTER 23
The slaves left the shelter of the trees, crossed the river, and quickly filled their plates and beer mugs and followed Joshua to the cave. Emily and Noah, with help from a dozen men and women, brought blankets and bedding from the quarters. Noah, following Syd’s instructions, cut branches, smeared them with the pine sap and placed them around the cave for light. The Warriors had left battery driven lights which Joshua assigned to some of the men and women to act as stewards.
Ernie and Thelma walked over to the clinic to see how Rebecca was making out. They were arguing heatedly as they approached the clinic but stopped when they saw the Doctor standing in the doorway.
“It’s not often I hear you two squabbling,” the Doctor remarked.
“It just makes me mad,” Thelma said. “Ernie defends Monty no matter what.”
“What’s Monty done now?”
Ernie put a cautionary hand on Thelma’s arm. “Thelma, it’s strictly between the two of us.”
Thelma shrugged. “Big secret, Doctor. Not allowed to tell. How’s Rebecca?”
“She’s fine. She’s not here. She went up to look at her house or what’s left of it. I’m taking care of her patients. They’re feeding right now and the smell is more than I can bear. I have to take the tubs away soon.”
“We’ll help you,” Thelma offered.
“Count me out,” Ernie said as he walked away. “I had my fill of that smell at the birthing cavern.”
“Well, thanks partner,” Thelma called disgustedly after him.
They stood for a few moments in the doorway to the clinic, watching Ernie rapidly stride away. The red sun was high over the mountain tops, bathing the white peaks in a rosy hue. Up the hill, they could see the smoking remnants of Joshua’s house and the blasted top of the watch tower. Between the house and the clinic, the food wagon still stood. The site was quiet except for a few stragglers making their way downriver to the cave.
They went into the clinic and removed the tubs. “God, the smell is awful,” Thelma said. “Maybe I should forgive Ernie for running away.”
The Doctor chuckled. “What were you fighting about? Sounds like you’re still mad at him.”
“Monty came up with a plan to defend ourselves which I think is the dumbest idea ever. And because it’s Monty, nobody disagreed, not even the Warriors. As soon as I voiced an opinion, they shut me up. I know nothing about military strategy, they said. What the hell do they know?”
The Doctor was tidying up the clinic and said over his shoulder. “What is the plan that’s so bad?”
“Can’t tell you. We’re sworn to secrecy. I don’t care if the Warriors all get killed, but when they finish the Warriors, they’ll come after us.” Her voice broke in a sob and she wiped her eyes. “How can men be so stupid?”
The Doctor looked at her, a worried frown on his face. “You make me very uneasy. I told Monty that defying the Guardians was folly. They’re too powerful, too advanced. But if the plan is so stupid, why did the Warriors agree?”
“The Warrior Commander who used to be the Medic — which tells you what a great general he is — liked the idea because he claims the Guardians do not believe the Warriors would dare attack. And what do we all know about military strategy. We’re just a bunch of corporation suits, but even so we should have come up with a better plan.” Thelma had turned away from the Doctor and was shaking her head. The Doctor put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know the plan so I can’t offer any advice. Monty’s pretty clever. Surely he wouldn’t come up with anything as bad as you say.”
“All I can say is it’s like the charge of the light brigade all over again, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
The Doctor shook his head. “It seems you’re describing a frontal assault which has got to be suicide.”
“I can’t say anymore, Doctor. I’ve probably already said too much. The food wagon is still there. Would you like me to get you something?”
“No,” he said. “I still have some things to do with my patients.”
As dusk set in, the Doctor, sitting on the steps in front of the clinic, picking at his plate of lentils, watched the approach of dozens of rocket ships from the direction of the Warrior city. It’s true what Thelma said, the Doctor thought. Just like the charge of the light brigade — right down the middle with rockets instead of horses. He put his food down and walked nonchalantly to a copse of trees near the water’s edge. He looked out furtively but could see no one close. From inside his smock, he removed an object the size of a cell phone. He whistled the code call. The object glowed.
”The Warrior ships are passing the camp now.”
“How many are there?” came a flat computer tone.
“I counted about fifty. They’re moving quite fast. They’re down the valley.”
“Thank you. You will be rewarded when the time comes.”
“Remember our arrangement. Joshua and his family will not be harmed. Except for the group headed by the slave Monty, all the other slaves are innocent and are just trying to stay out of the way.”
“We will not forget.”
The Doctor replaced the device inside his smock and sauntered slowly back to the clinic. Joshua, Noah and Rebecca were there, along with a dozen Warriors. They were removing the Warrior patients and carrying out the medicines.
“What are you doing?” the Doctor asked.
“Doctor, Monty says it’s too dangerous to stay in the clinic,” Joshua answered. “We’re moving everything to the cave.”
He followed the entourage until he came to the camp commander’s office. He climbed up the platform steps, and knocked on the door. Monty opened the door and stepped out. “Doctor, what brings you here?”
“I saw the fleet of rocket ships go by. You’ve closed my clinic. What’s going on? Should I be worried?”
“We’re all worried. We’re at war. The Warriors are attacking the Guardian city.”
“What? Straight on? You better have a back up plan.”
Monty shrugged. “We’re fortifying the cave where the human population is sheltering. Syd is familiar with the cave network and believes we can hold out for a long time. We’ve already stashed extra provisions, and we won’t lack for water.”
“Human Monty,” the radio operator called out. “Guardian ships are taking off. They have detected our fleet. Our fleet is turning and fleeing.”
“Damn it,” Monty exclaimed. “Why are they turning? The Warrior Commander said they would fight.”
The Doctor looked at him, his face expressing contempt. “So much for your great plan and your brave Warrior friends. You should have listened to me. What will happen now?”
“Let’s get out of here.”
The radio operator carried his equipment, and all three ran to the cave. The Warrior ships were high up as they flew past and the first Guardian ships came into sight. The Doctor and Monty stood in the mouth of the cave; the radio operator set up his equipment under a tree.
“I’m not sure,” the Doctor said. “They’re pretty high up, but there seem to be less Warrior ships now. The Guardians must have shot some down.”
Monty said nothing but looked worried. Based on information Syd had from Robert, there was a group of mountains not very far away where the peaks fell below the Winds of Dawn. Ships could hide there. They would be buffeted by downdrafts but if they could remain reasonably stable, they could escape detection. He hoped that was the case.
The Guardian fleet was almost by when it banked, turned and flew back.
“They’re giving up the chase!” the Doctor exclaimed.
The Warrior fleet also turned and shot after the Guardians.
Far in the distance, there was the faint sound of gunfire as the Guardian fleet was sandwiched between the Warrior ships lying in ambush and the pursuing ships. The dusk sky erupted in flashes of red and yellow.
“Why did they turn?” the Doctor shouted.
Monty left the mouth of the cave and went over to stand beside the operator. “Human Monty, it is happening as you said.”
The Doctor approached them. “For God’s sake, Monty, what is happening? What is going on?”
“They heard that their city was under attack and raced back to defend it.”
“Their city under attack?” repeated the Doctor weakly, holding on to a tree with one hand. “But the Warrior fleet never got there.”
“The Warrior fleet was a diversion, to draw the attention of the Guardians away and to pull out some of their fleet. The real attack was the fleet that came two mountain ranges over and caught them on one flank, and the special attack force that came along the valley just on the other side of this mountain and caught them on the other flank. We’ll know in a little while whether we’re successful.”
The Doctor saw a pit opening in front of him. “But Thelma …” he stopped.
“Thelma? What about Thelma?”
The Doctor passed a hand over his forehead. “Nothing. Thelma helped me a little while ago. I never thanked her. If she’s in the cave, I’d like to do that.”
Monty stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Doctor, let me make something absolutely clear. We’re going to be free, whether you’re happy with the prospect or not. We know what you’re up to. Give it up, it’s too late. If you passed on Thelma’s information, your friends now think you’ve betrayed them. We’ve used your treason to our advantage, but we won’t tolerate it anymore. Those two men will escort you to the makeshift clinic. Oh, and hand over the device you use.”
Deng Lee’s two friends appeared and placed themselves on either side of the Doctor. One reached into his smock pocket and removed the cell phone.
The Doctor was indignant. “What gives you the right to search me and to tell me what to do?”
Monty shrugged. “Make sure the Doctor goes to the clinic and stays there.”
There was a rumble overhead and another fleet of Warrior ships flew by, headed for the Guardian city.