The Fifth Cycle of Time Part 34

From: Cheryl Baumgartner(C Baumgartner, Posted Date: May 7th, 2011

Mantrid

The somewhat older Kai was back.  The image crystallized on Mantis viewscreen.

“Awww you came looking for me, and with your entire army in tow too.  I didn’t know you cared.  I’m touched.   Sorry I couldn’t be there to meet you but I am a busy man you know, busy plotting the destruction of those who are loyal to you that is. 

But I wonder how loyal they really are.  Do they know what you are?  Do they know Mantis is just a puppet?”

“I am MANTRID!  I will destroy you Kai.  All of you! I will destroy every last trace of the Brunnen G! Then I will turn my attention to what is left of humanity! They will accept the rule of perfect order or die!”

“Really?  I wonder what your army thinks of that?”  He picked up a severed 790 robot head and held it up so it now appeared on the viewscreen also.

The head spoke. “This live broadcast has been a public service announcement for the benefit of the forces of Mantrid.” 

The screen went blank.

 

Several ships were breaking formation.  The Machine issued an order for any ship attempting to leave to be destroyed.  Several ships began firing on each other.  The Noah quickly moved off out of range.

 

“Hey idiot!” The young one now.  “In case you didn’t notice, it looks like your little armada is blowing itself up.  But then again you are the one who issued the order to fire on your own ships. You just keep proving there is no limit to stupidity. ”

“This has been a public service announcement broadcast for the benefit of the forces of Mantrid.” The damned robot head again.   Several of the ships now turned in the direction of the Noah. 

 

Now it was the old one’s turn.  The ancient bastard was laughing so hard he was wiping tears from his eyes.  “Look at what’s in store for you if you stick with Mantrid!  All his little toys blown up along with those who stayed to guard them.” The old man’s image was replaced with vids of the destruction of the Lyekka asteroids and the sentries then the devastated landscape of Totha.   “Any of you from Totha?  Well here’s a little silver lining, the fact that Totha is now a pile of smoking rubble won’t matter when this is over.   Those loyal to Mantrid won’t be alive to worry about it.”

Once again the 790 head’s image, “This has been a public service announcement broadcast for the benefit of the forces of Mantrid.”

 

The battle was finally dying down.  Over half of Mantrid’s army had deserted or been destroyed.  The Divine Assassin now made an appearance. 

“Are things falling apart on you Mantrid?  Your army is fighting among themselves.  But I thought that since they are taking a little breather from killing each other, I would offer them some entertainment.  After all, morale is important to any military force.  A friend sent me this vid from Typhos.  It seems that she has found something that you lost there.”

The screen now showed an image of a large ship.  It was lifting something from the ocean, the body of a woman.   It was one of his assassins.  Before he could rejoice over knowing the location of his special women, another woman entered the picture.  No not a woman, a Divine Executioner.  He watched as the assassin was destroyed.

“I don’t think your assassin enjoyed that very much.  As a matter of fact I know she didn’t.  I’ve been on the receiving end of that bite.  Vlad is very good at what she does.  So if your army is thinking that they will have the backing of your special guards, they are mistaken.  Come to think of it you don’t have the backing of your special guards either.”

 

Once again the robot head’s image filled the screen.  “This concludes this series of public service announcements.  If you are not loyal to Mantrid, I will offer a bit of advice.  Get while the getting is good.  Mantrid stirred up a load of crap and the crap is about to hit the fan!”


“We have no choice, we must activate the defectives.  We will use them to remind our army of what faces them if they disappoint us.” The Machine said.

“No we won’t.” Mantis replied. “They are not there, the Cryopods are empty. And they have been ever since you decided to fill your time chasing shadows.”

 

“That was mean.” Fifth giggled.  “You Kais should be ashamed of yourselves.  You all enjoyed that. And here I thought Second was the only pain in the ass in the group.  Right now I can only imagine the names Mantrid is calling you.”

“I refuse to be referred to as a pain in the ass.  I will however accept hemorrhoid.   It sounds more dignified.”  First Kai said with a laugh.

“Fifth the next message for Mantrid will come from you.  Perhaps you and Dara should work on appropriate attire.” Fourth said.

 

“Well 790,  whats the status?” Third Kai asked.

“The fighting among them has died down almost completely.  Every so often another ship attempts to leave but it is quickly destroyed.  Mantrid is slowly easing the Noah farther away from his army.  I believe he is waiting until the armada is attacked and then he will make a run for it.” 790 said.  “There are a handful of ships also maneuvering to follow the Noah.  I believe this to be his most loyal and trusted followers.  They may be an issue for us.”

“Did you finish the instructions for me?  If I’m going to destroy this machine I’d like to have a chance to study before all hell breaks loose.” Third said.

 

“Dara, I’m scared.” Fifth said.  “What if I let them down.  What if I’m too frightened.  I know I’ve been preparing for this moment all my life, but now that it’s here I don’t know if I can face it.”

“You can face it.  You don’t face Mantrid alone.  You’ve got Third and Fourth who will be right there with you.   You have First and Second who will make mincemeat of what remains of Mantrid’s army.  I have faith in you.  They all have faith in you.  I think that between us we have enough faith to cover your share  too.” Dara held her arms out to Fifth.  Just like when she was a little girl, she let herself be wrapped in the embrace hoping to find some comfort.

 

“How fast can you take out these 30 clones?  They have to be dead before I can destroy the machine.” Third asked Fourth.

“I will board the Noah first.  I will take them out by the time you get on board and locate the power coupling 790 specified.  Divine Assassins are very efficient killers, I will make sure Mantrid has no where to run.” Fourth replied.

 

Second was speaking to his fighters.  “Half of you will take part in the battle.  The other half will remain in reserve.  The goal of this battle is to completely destroy Mantrid’s Army.  Every last fighter under his command is to be destroyed.  No prisoners, no mercy.

Once this battle is done, You will be under the command of the rebel forces under General Bann of the Alteri System.  Each planet tainted by Mantrid must be liberated and his followers executed without exception.  Every trace of Mantrid is to be erased so totally that no one will know he ever existed. 

Now all of you are dismissed.  Rest well tonight.  I want you all alert and ready for anything tomorrow.”

 

Third was on the Comm link to Alteri.  “We move tomorrow Bann.  Once we have destroyed Mantrid’s army it will be up to you to and the rebel forces to erase his presence from the universe.  The fighter squads will also be under your command after tomorrow.

Once Mantrid is destroyed we will all go back to the Other Zone to enjoy the peace we’ve earned.  If you are a man of faith, pray that only the four of us return and that the fifth is not in our company on that walk.”

 

First Kai sat in the chair thinking.   Everything was ready except for one issue, the most important issue.  One more meeting was needed to address it.