translated into my language?"
21 "I'm not sure," the Giant answered, "the last part of my name means
a flower. The first part means a strong and offensive smell. I suppose
a loose translation would be Stinking Flower. The legend goes that one
of my Ancestors led his enemies into a valley full of these flowers and
trapped them there. They say the stench was so bad that the enemy chose
to surrender rather than die there. Ever since then, the first born
male of my family line has born this name."
22 "Interesting!" laughed North. "A good one to add to my collection!
Now, gentlemen, let's get down to business."
23 The drills and trial run went successfully. Then, with an official
sendoff from Morn, North departed for Peepi. The Goddens took advantage
of what they considered a weakening of The Republic's Forces. They
launched several major attacks but Morn left Hades and in five vicious
close quarter counter strikes drove The Goddens from Republic
territory. The defeats were so overwhelming that people began to say
"Northern Star went to Peepi, but he left his fighting skill with Morn!"
24 Most of course knew the truth. In North's absence Morn's own
fighting skill was becoming apparent. Tired of being on the defensive,
he went on the offensive. Four times he slashed into Imperial territory
returning with a great deal of captured Godden equipment and personnel.
25 So devastated were The Empire's forward bases that The Goddens were
barely able to hold their lines. Many wanted an all-out offensive
against The Empire, but Morn knew this would only lead to mutual
destruction. He was content with selected raids which kept The Empire
from massing enough forces for any kind of assault.
26 As North arrived in The Peepian system he was greeted with a sudden
attack. He dropped pods, however, and though he was outnumbered two to
one, drove the enemy off, with virtually no damage to any of his
vessels.