28 In the months that followed, The Goddens
planned carefully. Unfortunately, North's Intelligence Service reported
every plan almost before The Lord God knew them! The Empire had other
problems. Two other rebel groups rebelled one controlling two
systems, another just one. They offered alliance with The Republic.
29 North did not like the idea. "These are not our kind of Rebels," he
complained, "these are merely new little Empires in themselves. We
don't need them."
30 But the new civilian government overruled his objections and the
alliance was made. It would later be regretted.
31 The Empire launched its counter strikes, and in five vicious battles
North broke their assaults, destroyed most of their fleets and drove
the survivors back into The Empire. At one station alone, his
outnumbered forces had lured an Imperial Fleet of over onehundred ships
into a trap, and literally wiped it out.
32 There were only thirty Imperial survivors and North lost only two
ships. Even he felt pity for the enemy after that terrible hour. On his
way back to Hades, North accepted an invitation to stop at one of the
other rebel systems. They were given a full salute and the rebel's
leader greeted him personally, giving North a personal tour of his
capitol world.
33 What North and his Officers saw appalled them. It was a
slave state, worse than The Empire! The Officials looked well fed, but
the common people were worked to exhaustion and half starved!
34 Finally, the rebel leader took North and his party to his personal
palace and on the balcony overlooking a large room full of nearly naked
young boys and girls, he turned to his guests. "Help yourself
gentlemen," he insisted. "They're all soft, they're all warm, and
they'll all cry when you do it."
35 North turned to his host, and everyone in his
Page
1,646