9 "It has been some time," said Morn, "since I
have sat in a command chair! But I do know the entire plan better than
anyone else. Very well. You will lead the ground assault. I understand
the need, but I want you BACK, North, in one piece! Do you understand?
Don't expose yourself to unnecessary danger, no matter what the need."
10 North nodded, but Morn knew he was talking to the wind. North had
one thought in his mind, and one thought only...to kill, and nothing,
nothing but his death would keep him from that goal. And, may The Lords
help any poor Soul that got in his way!
11 The following morning just before sunrise, the ground forces moved
into position around the Imperial landing zones. The Goddens had landed
more than a million men, plus heavy support equipment. The resistance
to their landing had been fierce, but slowly falling back, giving
them much ground. North waited with a superior force and all the heavy
equipment they could muster ...small armored fliers, armored ground
vehicles, most of all, troops with shields, and full body reflectors.
12 "How strange," he thought, "in ancient times battles were won by
sword and shield, then weapons were developed that made the sword and
the shield useless. NOW technology had come full circle. Who would be
victorious this day would be the ones that were the most skilled
fighters, the bravest, and the strongest."
13 North checked the time, then looked towards the nearest Hashon lake.
Suddenly thousands of lights filled the sky above it as the ships
hidden beneath the lake rose to engage the enemy. His own vessel,
commanded by Morn, was in the lead.
14 In a short time the enemy's ships above, would be far too busy to
lend any ground support to their troops.
15 North took a signal beam from a nearby officer, checked the time
once more, and looked for the rising sun. An Officer tapped him on the
shoulder. "That's east, sir. The sun here rises in the west.