Fatal lightwaves of green energy ripped across a wide mountain trail.
The first blast struck a slab of red-brown stone near a retreating Delz’yoj patrol. Rock flashed white at the point of impact. The outer surface burst apart and sprayed fragments across the narrow path.
Fifteen Zyridians remained from the original patrol of twenty.
They ran south in the direction of a larger Delz’yoj formation closer to the mountain’s peak.
The trail twisted between steep walls of dark stone before it widened towards the lower mountains. Beyond the final slopes, the terrain lead up to a flat shelf covered with a broad meadow of dry reddish grass and exposed tan soil. Delz’yoj forces had established a defensive line across the far side of that raised meadow, along the rising rockface behind it.
The patrol still had to cross several hundred meters to reach it.
A Delz’yoj soldier with pale coral scales stopped behind a rock formation. Two bony ridges rose from his temples and disappeared beneath the edge of his helmet. He turned to face the path behind them.
“Move!”
Three others rushed past him as he fired suppressive shots of orange light at the Rarkathians.
A green energy bolt struck the trail between their boots in response to his shots.
Another hit one of the fleeing soldiers squarely in the back. The Zyridian’s body glowed bright green for an instant.
His muscles locked before he fell forward. His body slid lifelessly down a steep incline not far from the trail.
“Only fourteen left!”
The coral-scaled soldier leaned around his cover and fired. His rifle answered with another retort of orange energy.
Two brilliant bolts crossed the trail. The first struck a Rarkathian fighter in the shoulder.
The blast burned through his protective clothing and tore into the scales beneath it. He spun sideways and collapsed against the mountain wall.
The second blast hit the Rarkathian directly in the chest. Orange light enveloped him as his body disappeared.
The Delz’yoj soldier ducked as green energy passed over his head. “Go!”
The surviving members of the patrol continued down the trail. Each fighter’s clothing was covered in days of soil and grime.
Behind them, dozens of Rarkathians advanced up the mountain passage. Their expressions varied from weary to bloodthirsty.
The scales of the local pursuers ranged through dark greens, earthy browns and muted olive tones that blended easily with the forested terrain beyond the mountains. Several wore pieces of locally manufactured armor over local civilian clothing. Others had donned uniforms and carried military equipment. Green energy rifles rested against shoulders as they advanced from spots of manufactured or improvised cover to other defensible positions.
This was no longer the small resistance force that had first met the Delz’yoj patrol. More fighters had arrived since the first day of fighting.
“Keep moving!” The Delz’yoj soldier shouted more commands as he turned and advanced. Those ahead had turned and were firing behind him to protect his advance.
Fourteen became thirteen when a green bolt struck a pink-scaled Delz’yoj soldier along the side of his neck.
The energy did not immediately vaporize him. It burned through scales and tissue. He stumbled into the wall and dropped his rifle. His hands reached for the wound before another green blast struck his torso.
He collapsed before he vaporized in a flash.
Orange rifle fire answered from farther down the trail.
A Delz’yoj woman with bright yellow scales dropped behind a boulder. She pressed the stock of her rifle against her shoulder.
Three Rarkathians appeared above the trail. She fired.
Orange energy hit the first fighter in the abdomen. He vanished.
She moved the rifle with a tight upper body swivel. Another shot struck the second fighter’s leg.
The orange blast vaporized it, causing him to fall behind the rocky outcrop.
The third Rarkathian fired back. Green energy struck the boulder ahead of the sun-gold Zyridian woman.
She disappeared behind a massive stone as she crawled in its shadow.
“Move!” someone shouted near the scaly lady.
She rose. Another green bolt passed close enough to illuminate the ridges along her head.
She ran with the surviving Delz’yoj as they moved closer to the retreat line.
Above Zyridia, the USS Hurricane monitored every shot. The wide bridge of the Typhoon-class exploratory cruiser remained unusually quiet.
Captain Raku Mobra sat forward in the center chair. Commander Ikastrul Zaa occupied the executive officer’s position beside him. Lieutenant Commander M’kath stood at Tactical.
Ahead of them, Lieutenant Junior Grade Crismarlyn Luna Ruiz worked the helm. Lieutenant Commander M’Row monitored Operations at the station beside the conn/navigation dual station.
At Intelligence, Lieutenant Junior Grade Itata sh’Zeles tracked the growing engagement.
Her crimson eyes moved rapidly across the display.
“The Delz’yoj patrol has just lost another soldier.”
Raku’s jaw tightened. “How many remain?”
“Thirteen,” said the Andorian woman as her delicate antennae twisted downwards.
M’Row looked down to the operations display. “Rarkathian forces are still advancing towards the territorial boundary.”
sh’Zeles enlarged the sensor image. “More are joining them from the northwest.”
“How many?”
“Four hundred and eighty-seven are within twenty kilometers of the border.”
M’kath looked towards her. “And behind them?”
sh’Zeles checked.
“Several additional groups are moving out of settlements into the area. The largest is approximately one hundred and six personnel. Fortunately, they have been pushed back beyond the clearance line.”
M’kath’s expression hardened. “They intend to counterattack.”
Zaa looked towards the intelligence station. “Can we establish that?”
“No.” sh’Zeles remained focused on the sensors. “But they crossed the border with weapons. Forces in the rear have been feeding operations that had been trying to push into Rarkathian territory before they were outnumbered.”
Raku turned to the communications station. “Mister Hammersmith.”
Wayne Hammersmith already had a channel to the Soval open. “I’m sending everything we’ve got, Captain.” His Texan accent became stronger as he spoke quickly. “Updated positions, casualty estimates and our field deployment plan are all on the way.”
“Make sure Captain Smythe knows that we’re almost ready.”
“Already tellin’ him.” Hammersmith transmitted another data packet. “The Soval confirms receipt.”
Raku looked to M’Row. “Are we prepared for emitter deployment?”
“Transporters have locks on all primary positions.”
The Caitian’s mismatched scarlet and azure eyes followed a long line across the map.
“The forcefields should stretch for two hundred and fifty kilometers.”
He carefully moved one clawed finger across the controls.
“Every emitter is programmed and ready to go. We have overlap between each field section. Mountain faces close most of the natural gaps for us.”
“How long will it take them to deploy?”
“After you give the order?” M’Row’s ears lifted. “Seconds.”
The mountain trail flashed across the viewscreen again.
Twelve Delz’yoj remained. They had reached the lower slopes that led up to their reinforced positions.
The terrain widened enough for them to spread apart.
Green fire followed their retreat.
A Rarkathian fighter crouched on a ridge further down the opposite direction of the trail. He raised his rifle as he took aim.
Green energy struck a Delz’yoj soldier in the thigh. The man collapsed. His rifle bounced away.
Another Delz’yoj stopped nearby. “Leave him!”
The wounded man tried to stand. His leg failed beneath him. Green energy struck his back.
He fell flat against the stone.
Eleven remained.
The bright yellow-scaled woman reached the next bend. She turned and fired repeatedly.
Orange bolts hammered the rocks behind the advancing Rarkathians.
One dark brown Rarkathian male disappeared in an orange flash. Another local defender dropped behind cover.
The Delz’yoj woman backed away as she fired at them. “We’re almost there!” She paused her gunfire as she shouted.
The alpine meadow became visible on a flat, grassy shelf ahead. Natural elevation formed a ramp that led to the elevated platform.
Beyond it stood hundreds of Delz’yoj soldiers. They had formed a long defensive line. Some knelt. Others stood behind portable barriers. Orange energy rifles pointed down the mountain.
The retreating patrol ran in the direction of the safety they provided.
Green bolts came from the trail below. One struck another Delz’yoj in the shoulder.
He spun completely around. A second blast hit his chest. His body fell from the edge of the trail.
There were now only ten of the original twenty Delz’yoj.
The remaining soldiers rushed uphill.
The Rarkathians pursued them. Several shouted as they advanced.
Others fired. Green bolts struck stone around the fleeing patrol.
The Delz’yoj returned fire as they took turns between retreating and delivering cover fire.
Orange energy streaked backwards. One Rarkathian fell. Another vanished.
The patrol reached the raised shelf above the trail. The meadow spread ahead.
A Delz’yoj soldier stopped at the edge and turned.
“Go!”
Nine others passed him.
He dropped to one knee as his rifle fired.
Orange energy struck the first Rarkathian to turn the corner. The blast vaporized him.
The Delz’yoj fired again. A second fighter fell.
Green energy answered. One bolt struck the ground.
Another passed by close to his head.
The third hit him in the abdomen. He folded around the impact.
The rifle slipped from his hands.
They ran into the meadow.
The defensive line ahead opened to receive them.
“Nine remain,” sh’Zeles reported aboard the Hurricane.
Raku watched the tactical display.
The patrol crossed the last few meters.
Behind them, Rarkathian forces ascended towards the meadow.
M’Row leaned forward. “They’re almost clear.”
M’kath watched the opposing formations. “The Rarkathians will follow.”
“That’s what we need,” Raku replied.
M’kath looked to him.
Raku kept his eyes on the display ahead.
The plan had was to force a separation between the forces.
Hammersmith pressed one hand against his earpiece. “The Soval reports all diplomatic teams are currently standing by.”
Raku nodded. “Tell Captain Smythe that we’ll deploy the emitters as soon as the patrol clears the field line.”
“Yes, Sir.” Hammersmith transmitted the message.
The nine Delz’yoj survivors reached their own forces.
Soldiers pulled them behind portable barriers.
Several immediately turned as they joined their defensive line.
Hundreds of orange rifles pointed down the mountain trail.
Across the meadow, the first Rarkathian fighters emerged.
Green energy rifles rose to aim in the opposite direction.
M’Row watched the distance collapse.
“Captain.”
Raku stood.
An orange weapon discharged as a luminous bolt crossed the meadow.
The Rarkathians scattered. Their green fire answered in return.
“Now!” Raku commanded with a shout.
M’Row input the order to activate the forcefield chain.
Transporters activated to place a row of emitters across a two hundred and fifty kilometer stretch.
Hundreds of devices appeared simultaneously. Emitter stations materialized on mountain slopes and between trees of the conifer grove.
Others appeared across open desert just across the border in the Delz’yoj.
Several formed directly against cliff faces. Additional units materialized inside narrow passes.
Each station anchored itself immediately. Power surged through their shielded housings.
The first forcefield erupted from the meadow.
A wall of pale energy shot upward. Orange fire struck it.
The bolts exploded harmlessly against the field.
Green energy hit from the opposite side. It dispersed across the same barrier.
The field climbed up high into the air. It continued upwards until the shimmering wall reached just over one thousand feet into the Zyridian sky.
Each field shot up simultaneously as the barriers connected. Energy stretched between mountains and cliff faces.
The Hurricane’s transporters continued to deposit emitters farther along the frontier.
The barrier expanded across the border.
Rarkathian fighters were stopped in the midst of their advance.
Several stared up at the fortified meadow.
On the opposite side, Delz’yoj soldiers approached the forcefield.
One struck it with the stock of his rifle.
Energy flashed around the weapon. He jumped backwards.
The Hurricane bridge erupted with status reports.
“Emitters one through sixteen are active. Field continuity is confirmed.”
“Transporter room four reports successful deployment.”
M’Row’s clawed, ginger-furred fingers raced across the operations panel.
Ruiz looked over from the helm station to M’Row’s left. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.” M’Row magnified the meadow.
Delz’yoj soldiers stood on one side. Rarkathians gathered on the other. Neither could reach the other.
His ears lifted proudly. “Hopefully this mousetrap keeps these lizards at bay.”
“M’Row!” Commander Zaa’s voice cut across the bridge.
The Caitian’s ears snapped towards her.
Zaa stared at him. “They are Zyridians.”
M’Row blinked. “I meant no harm.”
“You cannot refer to them as lizards.”
“But—”
“No.”
M’Row’s white whiskers moved in a frustrated twitch.
Zaa leaned slightly closer to him. “Would you appreciate it if somebody referred to you as a cat?”
M’Row stared at her. “I am a cat.”
Ruiz immediately looked down at the helm.
Raku’s mouth tightened as he fought to keep a straight face.
Hammersmith suddenly became extremely interested in the communications LCARS display as he deliberately looked away.
Betazoid former counselor Zaa opened her mouth. No words came out.
She could feel the Caitian’s emotions. There was no malice or judgement in his thoughts.
No insult was intended. He made no attempt to demean anyone.
M’Row had answered the question with complete sincerity.
Zaa fought the smile that threatened the corners of her mouth.
“M’Row.”
“Commander?”
“Whatever argument you’re preparing, keep it to yourself.”
His ears lowered slightly as Zaa continued.
“We are dealing with two groups who are already look for reasons to dislike one another. We don’t need to create an incident because one of our officers used the wrong term.”
M’Row considered her words. “That’s fair.”
“Stick to proper protocol.”
“Yes, Commander.” The ginger-furred Caitian turned away from her, back to the front of the ship.
Zaa finally allowed herself the smallest smile.
Raku relaxed his posture into his leather-wrapped seat.
“Miss sh’Zeles.”
The intelligence officer immediately looked to the captain.
“Give me the latest update.”
sh’Zeles checked the fabricated border. “The separation is holding without challenge.”
She moved through several sensor bands.
“Neither force can advance.”
“How vulnerable are the emitters?”
“The nearest station to the meadow is five kilometers from either concentration.”
She changed the display.
“It is heavily shielded against attack from both sides.”
M’kath examined the specifications. “How heavily?”
“Enough that their rifles have pretty much been rendered irrelevant for the time being.”
sh’Zeles brought up the field geometry.
“The barriers rise one thousand feet. They extend between the surrounding mountain slopes and cliff faces. There is no way to climb around them on nearby slopes, either.”
M’Row added his thoughts. “If they try to fly over it, we’ll see them.”
Raku looked to Ensign Hammersmith.
“Get me Captain Smythe.”
Hammersmith’s fingers moved. “Right away, Sir.”
The viewscreen changed as the forcefield map disappeared.
Captain Marlon Smythe appeared from the Soval’s darker, more compact bridge.
He sat on the raised command platform with the curved rear stations visible behind him.
“Hurricane.”
“Soval.”
Raku leaned forward.
“The field is up.”
Smythe nodded. “We see it.”
“It covers a full two hundred and fifty kilometers.”
“That should buy us some time.”
“It better.” Raku looked into Smythe’s eyes through the viewscreen. “The groups were exchanging fire when we activated it.”
“We noticed that as well.”
Smythe leaned against his left armrest.
“We’re preparing the diplomatic team now.”
Raku raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“A flyover.” Smythe glanced at something beyond the screen. “We’ll take a shuttle along the barrier first. Let both sides see us.”
“Then?”
“Negotiations.”
Raku nodded slowly as Smythe continued.
“We’ll land on the Rarkathian side of the forcefield. Close enough that they can see the Delz’yoj on the other side, but far enough from the emitter station that nobody gets any ideas.”
“Who are you taking?”
“Mau. A security detail. A few others.”
“Be careful.”
Smythe gave a slight nod. “That’s the idea.”
Raku glanced to the display that showed the two forces trapped on opposite sides of the glowing wall.
“What are you going to tell them?”
Smythe leaned back into his padded seat. “That the firefight has been stopped.” The mahogany man’s facial features hardened into a stoic expression. “Now we’re going to find out if they want it to stay that way.”
