Sam 10

Sam looked at the huge collection of IP troops that he already had tied up. This was nothing compared to how many he’d seen on the planet when he was in space. He also had a huge pile of weapons stacked neatly not far from the troops.

Waiting he knew that more would appear soon. These guys were nothing if not predictable. A moment later he heard what appeared to be frantic calls to the missing troops. Smirking Sam thought, they won’t really be reporting in all that soon. He also knew that they’d be sending more serious number of troops soon. Then they’d know for sure that he was there.

Back in the command room a young radio operator was puzzled that no one from the sector outside the city had answered. Again he gave the ID code waiting for a reply from more than thirty troopers. Strange he thought there wasn’t anything to really block the signal what was going on? Turning to his commander he attracted the male’s attention.

“What seems to be the problem?” The commander asked as soon as he was next to the radio operator.

“Sir, I’ve been calling the troops outside the city for quite a while now. As of yet I still haven’t received an answer.

“Have they missed more than one cycle of arranged check in time?” The other male asked.

“No sir, only the first one. It’s strange sir this particular set has never missed nor failed to return a call.: The younger male replied.

The older commander stood still a moment then nodded, “ok, order a detachment out there to see if they are in need of help.”

The younger male nodded in answer as he called up the emergency response team’s commander. A few minutes later he received confirmation that they were on their way.

Sam had already collected the few life forms that he’d seen being driven to what he saw as exhaustion. They reminded him a bit like what the queen looked like only darker in color. They also appeared to be much thinner. The group of about forty bowed low to Sam then stood there.

Finally one came forward bowing again to Sam, “Sir, we await your orders. We know we are being tested, we will not fail you sir.”

Sam looked at the rest of the beings there as they all bowed staying down their heads on the ground. Shaking his head Sam was about to get angry when he realized that these beings had been subjugated a long time. If what the Queen had said was true then it would take a lot to break the IP hold on their minds and bodies.

Well Sam thought, nothing like the truth to set someone free. “Do you perhaps know who or what I am?” When the one before him shook its head no as well as the rest Sam slightly nodded. “Do you have knowledge of a race once called the Cliveastone?”

Sam sighed as the being before him shrunk back as a terribly fearful look came to its eyes. “Yes sir, we were told that they were a completely brutal and domineering race. It was said that they would decimate entire planets that didn’t bend to their will. We were told…”

Sam held up a hand to quiet the being. “Tell me if a Cliveastone were here right now would you or the IP troops be alive? I mean according to what you were told?”

The being look up at Sam blinking a moment then it answered, “No sir, I believe that all would be dead and it would already be destroying the city.”

Sam again nodded as he stepped forward whispering in the being’s ear, “I am a Cliveastone, and you have been lied to, though I expect you to not believe me.”

The being’s eyes were wide a moment then it nodded. “I can believe you, I have heard stories of how they were a kind people.”

Sam was a little shocked that it said this though held his tongue ’til he had further proof. Better to make sure than be a damn fool about the situation.

“I had thought liberating you would help, though these few weapons won’t do much for you.” Sam stated making the being’s head snap up to look at the small pile of weapons.

“Sir, even if we had far more not many even have the knowledge to use them. Then there is the councilor that has control for this area. I don’t think it would sit still while you cleared one of its planets. It has been rumored that it is the strongest of all of them.” Shaking its head the being went on. “Even with the power you have we fear that you might fall also.”

“I am far stronger than you think. If they defeated me I don’t think that they would survive.” Sam replied to the now standing being.

“That may be so sir, though against your race was the only time they combined their power to defeat you. I can tell you have great power, though I am afraid it might not be enough. We thank you for what you did, we all have family units to think of before we can even think of doing anything like you suggest.” The being sadly stated.

“I understand though I don’t think I can allow any of these troopers to return.