Critical Path

“The croatoans panicked after we lost comms, and killed the livestock. We were attacked this morning, again.” She pointed to the warehouse crackling with flames. “And they torched it. We killed most and are sweeping the forest for any others.”

The team sounded organized and still had fight in them. A good thing if he was to serve a generous portion of future justice to Unity. Augustus removed the robe from his face, turned to Zoe and smiled, flashing his yellow teeth. She opened her mouth and took a step back.

He strode across to the surveyor building, the one that childish fool Gregor used to call the chocolate factory, as purposefully as his old limbs would allow. “I’m here to discuss reorganization and future strategy. Open the door.”

Zoe’s expression softened, as if a wave of relief had just washed over her. She pressed against the handle, and Augustus entered into the gloom.

Eight surveyors and a driver sat around a large pile of root at the back of the building. Not the slick operation that this building used to be. Normally, they busied themselves around the front table, checking samples, punching things into their computers, and studying readings. He didn’t blame them for sheltering; the arena proved how useless they were at fighting.

“Take a seat. I’ll bring you some wine,” Zoe said.

Augustus perched behind a small desk in one of the side offices. He pulled the black prism from his chest and rolled it in his fingers. There was no chance that Hagellan poisoned this place. The fat toad sounded too busy trying to achieve the impossible with a bunch of dregs.

Zoe placed a plastic cup of orange wine in front of him and sat opposite.

He took three large gulps and groaned at the tingly feeling in his extremities. “As you may be aware, the ships went down four weeks ago—”

“An alien came here three weeks ago and told us. It went to join a larger force in the south.”

Augustus raised his eyebrows. “Larger force? Any idea of the exact location?”

She shook her head. “No. But we planned to leave in a couple of days. Supplies are running out, and the attacks are coming more frequently. They want to secure a large area of root, create a stronghold, and wait for instruction from the council.”

His pulse quickened. That council member could be him. He could pick up a readymade army and conquer Unity.

The doors flew open and two croatoan guards hopped into the building. They headed straight for the office and stood at the door. One, with human blood spattered on its visor, excitedly clicked and held its weapon forward. Not aiming at Augustus, but loosely enough in his direction to unnerve him. They were all probably in a state of total confusion.

“Augustus,” it croaked.

He rose from the chair and straightened his robe. An air of authority would be needed to pull things into shape, and only one man on the planet could do it. He turned to Zoe. “Do either of these speak English?”

“Not very well. One of the surveyors does.”

“It can act as my translator. Assemble the team around the table. I need to address the group.”

Augustus didn’t want anything to get lost in his message. His croatoan was basic. Zoe disappeared through the door, and he heard her barking instructions outside.

He moved to the front of the building, found a sturdy chair next to the front table, and stood on top of it. The surveyors and driver surrounded him in a semicircle. Three more guards entered, and the five of them stood behind the rest. Zoe joined the end of the line with a scruffy urchin dressed in filthy blue jeans and vest and sporting an unkempt beard. Sixteen witnesses in all would hear a speech that would signal the beginning of an empire. One that would travel through the centuries as a watershed moment.

The small surveyor waddled forward and stood next to his chair.

Augustus cleared his throat. “Ladies, gentlemen and croatoans. A town in the north threatens our very existence. They want all resources for themselves and will kill us all to make their dreams come true.”

He paused and the surveyor translated. The warehouse echoed with quiet clicks. The urchin whispered something to Zoe.

“They place humans and croatoans in an arena to fight for their own entertainment,” he continued. “Species isn’t important. They only crave seeing yellow or red blood spilled on the dirt.”

The surveyor clicked more rapidly, waving a gloved hand above its helmet.

“With the ships gone, we have to rebuild with what we have. Create a society where we can live together without the fear of attack. A society with law and order, where crimes will not go unpunished. To do this, we must head south, gather an army, and destroy the danger in the north.”