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.What were the Darhel waiting for? The Americans to lose too?His AID chimed a priority message and he regarded it balefully for a moment.The device wasGalactic provided.And it was more likely than not that the Darhel could readanything sent over one, such as the last message from General Crenaus.WhichCrenaus knew as well as he did.So had they already taken the hint, that themessage was directed as much at them as at him? He smiled again, a sure signof displeasure, and tapped the device to answer the call."Incoming message from Sergeant Major Jacob Mosovich, Fleet StrikeReconnaissance."Horner vaguely recognized the name; Mosovich was one of the old hands who hadbeen transferred to Fleet when they swallowed the U.S.Special OperationsCommand.He also vaguely recalled that Mosovich was the team leader of theLRRPs at 12 Army so he was probably the team th leader sent out against theglobe that had landed opposite Rabun Gap.But that didn't explain why thesergeant major was calling him directly."Put it through.""General Horner, this is Sergeant Major Mosovich," Jake said."Go ahead, Sergeant Major," the general said."What is the reason for thecall?"Page 86 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Sir, we just got hit with an EMP round by the Posleen and you're just aboutthe only person we can talk to."Horner rocked back and smiled broadly."Better and better.From that globedown in Georgia?""Yes, sir," the sergeant major replied."These guys aren't acting like Posleenat all, sir.They've got patrols on all the roads, real honest to God patrols,they're taking out sensors, they're using some half-way decent tactics fromtime to time, they seem to have expected us personally and now they are allover our asses.And using some sort of EMP round to take out our Land Warriorsuits and communications.""What's your status at present, Sergeant Major?" the general asked, waving atthe AID to bring up a map."We've temporarily broken contact, sir, and we're trying to put some distancebetween us and the main force.We hope to be able to stay out of contact, butI won't put money on it.The primary mission is blown, though, sir."Horner looked at the map and smiled again, tightly.He'd driven through thatarea a couple of times in better days and the terrain the team was enteringreally didn't favor humans all that much."Looks likeit's getting ready to flatten out, Sergeant Major.I'd send a flying team ofACS down there if I had anything to give you.""Oh, we'll make it out, sir," Mosovich answered."But we do need to talk toour artillery folk.And we can't at present."Horner gave an unseen nod to the distant team."AID, connect directly tosecure communications and get the sergeant major back in touch with hisartillery, will you?""Yes, sir," the device answered."Will that be all, Sergeant Major?" Horner asked."Yes, sir.Thank you.""Well, good luck," the general said."I've made a note that I want to see yourraw debrief.But that can wait until later.Make tracks.""Roger that, General.Mosovich out."* * *Ryan looked up as the planning officer came in the Tactical Operations Center."It looks like they're gone, Major," the PO said."I sincerely disagree, Colonel," the engineer replied."We lost a sensor atthe same time.It looks like they used something along the lines of an EMP totake out their communications.Which means they might or might not be outthere someplace.Their intention was to cross the Soque and swing west ofBatesville.So I have the arty laid in to cover that movement.""That's the point," the planning officer snapped."That artillery is laid inthere 'covering' what is probably a terminated team.We need to talk aboutretasking.""We can 'retask' when we're sure they are gone," Ryan snarled."Until then thedamn artillery can just stay pointed.It's not like it's going to wear out thetubes or the personnel to stay up."He snatched up the buzzing secure phone and snarled: "What?""Stand by for connection to Continental Army Command," an electronic voicechirped."You might want to tell the commander we have an incoming from CONARC," Ryansaid to the planning officer.The lieutenant colonel gave the major another look and left the room as thetone on the line changed."This is the Office of the Continental Army Commander," a light soprano said."Stand by for direct transfer to Sergeant Major Jacob Mosovich.Allconnections on this system are fully secured.Adirective has been issued for the full debrief of the sergeant major and histeam to be forwarded to the attention of the Continental Army Commander.Standby for transfer."Page 87 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Bloody hell," Ryan said with a chuckle."That you, Ryan?" Mosovich asked."Good to hear from you, Sergeant Major," the major said with a laugh."Yeah, I can imagine what was being said.Well, the report of my demise wasexaggerated.As usual."Ryan laughed as the corps commander strode into the TOC."Well, SergeantMajor, we're set up at three or four points on 197.I'll list 'em out for youand you can get ready to call.""Gotcha," Mosovich said."Glad to be back.I've got to slither down thisdamned mountain now.""I'll be standing by," Ryan said."That was Mosovich, sir," he continued,turning to the corps commander."He's using his AID to bounce through CONARC'sAID and then into the secure phone net.""So it wasn't CONARC calling?" General Bernard asked."Not directly, sir," Ryan agreed."But there is a directive to send Mosovich'sfull debrief to him, direct and personal.I get the feeling he wants to knowwhat the hell is going on out there.""The directive to take a look at the globe came from Army," the S-2 said."Butit looked like arephrase of CONARC.""Well, I guess if General Horner is going to get his debrief we'll just haveto get the team back, won't we?" General Bernard asked tightly."Is thereanything we've missed?""We could try to send a flying column out of Unicoi Gap," the planning officersaid."We've got a battalion of mech up there.There's no report of heavyPosleen presence near Helen.If they didn't run into one of these heavypatrols they could, possibly, make it to Sautee or so.South of Sautee there'sindications of the outer forces of this globe landing.""Send a battalion in in support," Bernard said."And have them send out acompany.Tell them to move down to the vicinity of Helen, get in a good hideand stand by for further orders.""I'll get on it, sir," the planning officer said, heading over to theoperations side
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