{"id":407,"date":"2025-04-26T03:46:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T03:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/?page_id=407"},"modified":"2025-04-26T03:46:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T03:46:00","slug":"third-war-on-kar-kator","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/fiction\/third-war-on-kar-kator\/","title":{"rendered":"Third War on Kar Kator"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jack Grotefendt<\/span><\/p>\n

By the creek which was named the Ro-Feum by the people of the planet of Kar Kator, a temporary camp had been built. It stood on a muddy bank, which was shaded by a few trees. The creek was a few miles west of the Sebanicus territory border, which had been populated by the Katorian people for many years.<\/span><\/p>\n

While a Katorian mule was drinking water from the creek, Zeb Cullen, who had built the camp, was extinguishing the campfire. Zeb had long, brown hair and was bewhiskered. His face and arms were covered in burn scars, and he wore a tattered cream-colored shirt covered by an olive-green vest with the symbol of the Terraguard on it. A cigarillo rested on his lip but had not yet been lit. Zeb wore an old leather hat similar to the hats of the cowboys of the American West nearly 400 years prior.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Zeb had finished packing up, he placed the saddle back on his mule and tied the supplies to it. After getting on the mule, Zeb led him west through the shallow creek and out onto the barren plain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kar Kator was a desolate planet, covered in mountains, deserts, and sparse forests. A lack of water and resources kept it from its highest potential, especially for the human race, which had discovered and began settling the planet a century prior. But Kar Kator did have some value\u2013 it was the last stop before the barren and unexplored space past it, millions of light-years from Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Days were much shorter on Kar Kator than on Earth. Only a few hours after leaving the camp, the sun began to set, and a settlement was nearing in Zeb\u2019s sight. A wooden sign near the outskirts read ‘Armalon\u2019 in the Katorian language. The small town consisted of several streets and buildings made of wood and mud brick. Most of the buildings were dark, but there was plenty of light emitting from what seemed to be a bar near the east entrance of the town.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb got off the mule and stepped onto the porch in front of the establishment. The sounds of an instrument similar to a sitar could be heard from within.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb pushed open the swinging doors and walked inside. As he stepped toward the bar, Zeb noticed the lack of patrons, especially for a cool night. There were a few men scattered around, some Linian and some Katorian. Linians and Katorians were similar physically, but there had always been a sense of conflict between the two populations. The Linians had spent centuries on the small moon of Kar Lin that orbited Kar Kator and had returned to their home planet after a famine. Soon after, the Katorians started a war over the Linians\u2019 return, followed by another war years later. But after the conclusion of the two wars half a century prior, which wiped out most of each population, bad blood wasn\u2019t as prominent among the civilians. However, the relationship between both nations and their militaries was a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Katorian bartender was lighting the lamps above the bar and the musician had stopped to take a drink. Katorians had wrinkled, damaged skin like walruses and large, piercing eyes like lemurs. They were similar in size to humans but had distinctly slim faces and large ears that pointed backwards. \u201cGood evening, stranger,\u201d he greeted Zeb.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb looked up at the oil lamp that the bartender had just lit, and his eyebrows lowered. \u201cIs this town near the Uulcroh Fort?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bartender scratched his head. \u201cThe temple and the fort are a few miles southwest of this town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTemple?\u201d Zeb asked, while lighting his cigarillo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was used for that long ago, and then the Linian army turned it into a fort during the second war,\u201d the bartender explained. \u201cA few weeks ago, the Katorians took it for themselves, and now the Linians are preparing to take it back. Are you heading there now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Zeb answered. \u201cConcord, the colonel of the Katorian rebel army, was on the same mission from Earth as me. I got mail from him a few weeks ago. He wished for me to bring myself and some men who are willing to fight at the Uulcroh Fort near Armalon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bartender looked around. \u201cWhere are the boys?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb puffed his cigarillo. \u201cHave you heard of the Naza Gang?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bartender\u2019s expression went grim. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re the only one that\u2019s left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded and combed through his dirty hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the Linian men at a table coughed. Linians were like Katorians in appearance but instead had hair covering their faces and were shorter and stockier. \u201cYou better get there quick,\u201d the Linian man told Zeb from across the room. \u201cHadrian\u2019s troops are headed for the temple in two days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHadrian?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the Linian nation\u2019s best general,\u201d the man explained, standing up and making his way to the bar. \u201cThe Linian Leader has his eyes set on reclaiming the Uulcroh Fort, and he sent Hadrian with an army to take it back. You must leave soon if you want to get there before the siege starts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould you point me in the right direction?\u201d Zeb asked the Linian.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about a guided tour?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

The light from the moon of Kar Lin illuminated the path that Zeb and his companion were following. Armalon was far behind the two men as they made their way to the Uulcroh Fort at a consistent pace. The Linian was riding his horse alongside Zeb\u2019s mule.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do they call you?\u201d the man asked Zeb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cZebulun Cullen. Call me Zeb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey call me Hyam.\u201d He shifted around on his saddle. \u201cYou know, we don\u2019t see too many humans around here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve been on Kar Kator for years. I came here on duty for the Terraguard and was posted at the military base in East Kator.\u201d He lit another cigarillo. \u201cUntil the Terraguard had to focus on a security threat in our solar system and decommissioned all bases outside of a 2 million light-year radius.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had heard about the Terraguard leaving Kar Kator, but I was unaware of the scope of it,\u201d Hyam replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t enough room in the ships for the entire company to head back to Earth all at once,\u201d Zeb answered. \u201cThey told us to wait at the military base for a few months. But they never returned, and all communications with humans have ceased for years now.\u201d He turned around and watched as Armalon disappeared from his view. Facing forward, he could barely see the distant light of the fort. \u201cYou know, most people in East Kator haven\u2019t heard much about what\u2019s going on out here,\u201d Zeb said to Hyam. \u201cI might need some elaboration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Hyam began to explain. \u201cThe Sebanicus territory was safe until the Linian nation tried to take full control. Many of the settlers\u2013 humans, Katorians, and even Linians\u2013 disagreed and revolted. A few weeks ago, the Katorian faction finally drove the Linian army out of Sebanicus, but it didn\u2019t last long. From what I\u2019ve heard, Hadrian has already crossed the border in the south and is headed for us at this moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow many of our men are at the Uulcroh Fort?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAround two hundred.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Hadrian\u2019s men?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say around two thousand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb turned to face the Uulcroh Fort, which was getting closer every minute. \u201cConcord needs all the help he can get. When I arrive without men, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll feel great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we arrive, I\u2019ll tell Concord he\u2019s got another volunteer in his army.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded and gazed at the fort in the distance as the sky began to change to a lighter hue.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cColonel Concord!\u201d one of the guards called out from the watchtower by the officer\u2019s quarters. \u201cTwo men, one on a mule and one on a horse, headed here from Armalon!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James Concord walked over from the platform which held the laser cannons toward the watchtower. \u201cCan you see what they look like, John?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

John, who was a human like Concord, peered into the distance. \u201cIt ain\u2019t bright enough yet, but they ain\u2019t goin\u2019 too fast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord scratched his chin. \u201cIt might be Zeb Cullen. Let them in through the Sally port.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Zeb and Hyam entered the fort, they were taken to Concord by a guard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cZeb!\u201d Concord exclaimed. \u201cI can\u2019t thank you enough for coming. We\u2019re going to need all the help we can get.\u201d Concord shook the hand of his old friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you, James,\u201d Zeb replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose my message got to you quick enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt did. I had brought a group of human and Katorian men who were willing to help, but we got caught up in a mess with the Naza Gang on the border.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was the only one who made it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a shame,\u201d Concord replied. \u201cWho is this Linian?\u201d he asked Zeb, pointing to Hyam. \u201cHe\u2019s the hairiest one I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Hyam. I met him back in Armalon and he showed me where the fort was. He\u2019s agreed to stay and fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds alright,\u201d Concord answered. \u201cWe must finish our preparations before tomorrow morning. I\u2019ve already decided that we won\u2019t act first, but we will be prepared to defend this fort through the extreme.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded. \u201cWhatever we can help with, point us in the direction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you think this will turn out, Colonel?\u201d Hyam asked Concord, who was distracted by the shouts of some men hauling a laser cannon up a ramp on the north side of the fort.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have a lot of men who are passionate about Sebanicus and freedom,\u201d Concord answered. \u201cWithout purpose, we\u2019d be lost before the fight begins. I say we have a pretty good chance.\u201d The colonel turned to Zeb. \u201cI am going to help with more preparations. Feel free to look around and converse with the others. I will see you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam headed toward the ammunition hut, and Zeb stepped down the ramp and began to explore the bustling fort. It was a large stone complex in the shape of an L pointing east, with the shorter wing pointing south and containing the prominent Uulcroh Temple. Soldiers of all species rushed around the fort, preparing for battle. The walls of the complex were thick, with a walkway and command posts on top of them surrounding the fort\u2019s plaza.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Uulcroh Temple was showing its age. An hour after arriving at the fort, Zeb walked through the threshold of the temple and looked around at the state of disrepair that it was in. The roof had fallen, and its remnants were scattered across the floor. In the main room of the temple, Colonel Concord was kneeling in front of a makeshift wooden cross formed out of the roof beams.<\/span><\/p>\n

His head was lowered and his Katorian hat was on the dusty floor beside him. He heard Zeb enter and turned around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to interrupt, James,\u201d Zeb said, preparing to leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo worries, Zeb,\u201d Concord answered. \u201cI was just getting some things off my chest before we finish the preparation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it worse than we expected?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMuch worse. I received a message at dawn from a scout who was a few miles south of here. He told me that once the Linians capture the temple and Armalon, they\u2019ll head right for Pease City, and then onto East Kator.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we lose, I\u2019m sure they won\u2019t make it to Pease City without a few more fights,\u201d Zeb replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord looked more concerned. \u201cWe have forces in Pease City and far east of here, but that\u2019s all. We must win this or the Sebanicus territory will be lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord grabbed Zeb by the shoulder and smiled. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve always liked you, Zeb. You always go through with what you put your mind to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb took out a cigarillo and lit it with a match. \u201cIf that were always true, I\u2019d be here with a dozen extra soldiers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord brushed the dust off from his knees and put his hat back on. \u201cTell me, Zeb, after we were marooned and left the base, I understand you found a female human settler to marry. What happened to her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMadeline?\u201d Zeb asked, puffing his cigarillo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI left town before I could find out what happened between you two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got married around the time you left. We had a son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Are they in good health?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb stood silent for a few seconds. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen them in two years, James,\u201d he replied. \u201cOne day, I woke up, and our ranch was on fire.\u201d Zeb rolled up his sleeves to reveal his scarred arms. \u201cI struggled but managed to get out of the house. The rover was gone, and they were never heard from again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Zeb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb looked at Concord\u2019s worn Katorian uniform, most likely from the wars decades prior. \u201cHow did you end up the colonel of a Katorian rebel faction?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord adjusted the collar of his jacket, which was blue-grey and had cream-colored shoulder pads. \u201cI met some people who needed my help. I joined them. I worked up the ranks, and now I\u2019m here. As you know, there hasn\u2019t been a proper Katorian government for a hundred years, and when the Linians threatened a second war years ago, that\u2019s when the Terraguard stepped in. The Linians have always wanted more power, and now with the Terraguard gone, they\u2019ve begun to wreak havoc on this planet once again. This army and the Katorians in Pease City are the only people standing in the Linians\u2019 way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb started to reply but was interrupted by the sound of movement near the entrance of the temple. Hyam was slowly making his way into the room when he stepped on a piece of fallen roof and intruded on the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry for interrupting; I didn\u2019t mean to eavesdrop-,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo worries,\u201d Concord replied, raising his hand. \u201cI\u2019ve been stalling for far too long.\u201d He waved toward the door and the two men followed him back into the plaza.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

In the barracks of the fort, Zeb chose one of the remaining beds and placed his belongings on it. There was no light in the room, except for the sunlight peeking through the cracks and holes of the door. Zeb sat down on the bed as the door opened. Hyam entered the barracks and put his belongings on a bed near Zeb\u2019s. \u201cHello, Cullen,\u201d he said in his gruff voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded. \u201cHyam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam looked up at the oil lamp hung from the ceiling. \u201cWe need some light in here,\u201d he proclaimed, activating the lamp. Zeb stared at Hyam in silence with lowered eyebrows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam looked down at Zeb and noticed his concerned face. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Cullen? You don\u2019t like a little fire?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened and Colonel Concord entered the room. \u201cAll settled in, men?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs settled as I\u2019ll ever be,\u201d Zeb replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHyam, you never got to see Zeb Cullen in his prime,\u201d Concord said, taking off his hat. \u201cThis man was a wizard in piloting a defense probe. He took down hundreds of vessels without them ever entering our solar system, let alone him ever leaving Earth\u2019s orbit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb smiled and stood up from the bed. \u201cI haven\u2019t piloted anything, or even used a computer, in years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord smiled. \u201cZeb, I need you to go find John in the ammunition hut and help him disperse some equipment around the fort.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly, Colonel,\u201d he answered. Zeb grabbed his satchel and walked out into the fort\u2019s plaza.<\/span><\/p>\n

The colonel scratched his chin and looked at Hyam for a few seconds. \u201cHyam, I have a job for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam stood up from his bed. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven though we are low on soldiers here at the Uulcroh, I want you to go back to Armalon and bring back any women and children who are left behind,\u201d Concord explained. \u201cWe still have a few hours before things get serious, and I\u2019m still not convinced that the small group of civilians we have in the back of the temple is the entire population. Armalon is no longer safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam stood intently, listening to the colonel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to ride to Armalon and tell one of the soldiers in the town to lead the remaining civilians to the Uulcroh. You will stay there and help defend Armalon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam nodded and Concord handed him a letter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive this to Major Carc, who is stationed at the old communal baths on the west side of the town. He\u2019ll tell you what to do next. Good luck, Hyam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Colonel,\u201d Hyam replied, who began to pack up.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

As the sun began to set on the fort, faint lights began to illuminate in the distance. Zeb and Colonel Concord were standing on the southeast corner of the fort, watching the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere they are,\u201d Concord sighed. \u201cOn time, as I expected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t look like thousands of soldiers,\u201d Zeb replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s only a fraction of Hadrian\u2019s army. I\u2019m guessing that half of the first wave will come here to the fort, and the other half will try to capture Armalon. If we somehow fend them off, then more will surely come. We should be focused on the southern direction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you think they\u2019ll attack the fort?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord scratched the back of his head. \u201cThey\u2019ll most likely split into smaller brigades to slowly make their way over here. After a while, they\u2019ll start firing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb pondered for a moment and puffed a cigarillo. \u201cWhat about the people still there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord turned to face northeast, toward Armalon. \u201cMost of the men are here, prepared to fight. In the case of the women and children, the rest are on their way.\u201d The colonel pointed toward the town, and Zeb turned around to see the caravan of townspeople making their way to the fort. \u201cI sent Hyam to help defend the town with Major Carc.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

John the guard walked over to the spot where Zeb and Colonel Concord were standing and took off his hat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cColonel,\u201d he said in a monotone voice. \u201cWe are out of cannon batteries in the ammunition reserves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord sighed. \u201cAre there batteries dispersed to all of the posts?\u201d he asked John.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d John replied. \u201cThere\u2019s only a few left, which are the ones that were left here before we arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to make do,\u201d Concord said. John nodded and put his hat back on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord turned to face Zeb. \u201cThere\u2019s another Katorian fort to the east of Armalon, near the Ro-Feum creek. They call it the Grove Fort. A few hours ago, I received a message that the fort has a sizable group of men and plenty of supplies left. If we want to defend the temple, we must get their supplies. I want you to go and find the fort, alert the men, and bring them back with the supplies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I\u2019ll make it back in time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Concord replied. \u201cIf you can make it back before dawn, the Linians will still be preparing when you arrive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other side of the fort, one of the guards shouted, \u201cOpen the Sally port!\u201d This alerted Concord and Zeb of the townspeople\u2019s arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb turned back around to face Concord. \u201cWhere is the fort located?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty miles northeast of here. Once you reach the creek, you\u2019ll be close.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb nodded and climbed down the ladder onto the ground. \u201cWish me luck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Zeb was about to leave on a Katorian horse, one of the artillerymen tapped him on the shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful, Cullen,\u201d the man told him. \u201cThat\u2019s Naza territory out there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb\u2019s eyebrows lowered at the thought of the Naza Gang. He nodded at the artilleryman and exited the fort, galloping in the eastward direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

The moon was above Zeb when he reached the creek. In the northern distance, he could see a glowing hue near a grove of trees. As he rode closer to the grove, he realized that the light was emitting from a large fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb kicked the Katorian horse, which had a large, raised tail like a cat and a shorter snout like a cow. The horse began to gallop through the grove. The fort stood on the other side. When Zeb arrived at the fort, it was completely engulfed in flames. It was a sizable log and mud brick structure in the shape of a square. The trees next to it were on fire as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

A portion of the wall had already fallen, and Zeb got off the horse to run inside. \u201cHey!\u201d he called, frantically looking around in search of survivors. The yard on the inside of the fort was littered with dead bodies of rebel soldiers, most of them Katorian alongside several humans. One of the humans, who was leaning against a well, was coughing and holding a chest wound with his bloody hands. Zeb ran toward him and caught him before his upper body fell to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened here? The Naza Gang?\u201d Zeb asked the dying soldier.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man gasped as Zeb cushioned his body against the well with his jacket. He opened his mouth to speak. \u201cHa-,\u201d he said, struggling to talk to Zeb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Zeb asked the man, who was fading away.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man closed his eyes and shook his head. \u201cHa-Hadrian.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb looked around at the small army of massacred men. \u201cHadrian?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey aren\u2019t just coming from the south. They’re coming from everywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Linians?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man took his last breath and died.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb laid the man on the ground, left his jacket, and watched as the flames from the fort walls rose into the night sky. He ran out of the fort and jumped on the horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHya!\u201d he called, and the horse galloped out of the grove and toward Armalon.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

When dawn broke, the bartender at the bar in Armalon stepped out onto the front porch and gazed into the northern distance, where thousands of Linian troops were marching. The soldiers wore thick, matte black armor and held laser rifles. Their laser cannons were on hovercraft, being guided by their operators. The front line consisted of foot-soldiers, while the calvary on Katorian horses were in the back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSarn!\u201d the bartender called, alerting the store owner inside his shop down the street. \u201cThey\u2019re in the north!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarn stepped out of his store and onto the porch. He turned and investigated the eastern direction and noticed a similar number of soldiers amassing outside of Armalon. \u201cLook, Smit!\u201d he yelled to the bartender. \u201cThey\u2019re in the east, too! I thought they were coming from the south!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s your wife, Sarn?\u201d the bartender asked. He walked into the center of the street where Sarn had moved to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s at the temple. How about your wife and kids?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all at the temple as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do, Smit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay here, fight if I must. I\u2019ll die here if I have to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarn nodded. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be here fighting alongside you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smit the bartender stared into the east, watching the soldiers make their way toward Armalon. He noticed a small battery of artillerymen run away from what appeared to be a galloping horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho could that be?\u201d Smit muttered out loud, gaining the attention of Sarn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Smit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d he replied, pointing toward the man on the horse as he was being shot at by the soldiers. \u201cSomeone\u2019s headed toward us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb Cullen\u2019s horse dashed through the lines of Linian soldiers, knocking several of them out of the way. As he bolted toward the town, the men behind him started firing laser cannons and rifles. Once he got to the edge of Armalon, he cantered over to the two men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you\u2019re that fella who was headed to the temple!\u201d Smit exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cZeb Cullen. Have you seen Hyam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Linian? No, why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s supposed to be here with Major Carc. Me and the colonel suspected that the Linians would head from the south to the temple and then take Armalon. But now that I know that they\u2019re coming from all sides, I don\u2019t know what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Carc is at the communal baths on the west side,\u201d Sarn told Zeb. \u201cHowever, I don\u2019t know the situation over there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of a laser cannon blast exploding out of the barrel was heard from the west side of town. Zeb looked down at Sarn and Smit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s your answer. Good luck, men.\u201d Zeb kicked the horse and began to gallop down the street. Smit and Sarn turned around and gazed at the army preparing for the imminent battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

When Zeb reached the communal baths at the edge of Armalon, he leapt off the horse and stared at the large, pillared walls surrounding the complex. He looked to the north and noticed the army marching toward him, preparing to invade. Beyond the baths, in the west, another group of Linian soldiers marched, some on rovers and hovercraft. A laser cannon shot at a nearby building and the foundation exploded, causing the walls to fall in. Suddenly, both armies in Zeb\u2019s view shot red flares into the sky. \u201cNo quarter,\u201d Zeb muttered to himself, watching the flares dissipate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb entered the baths, where Hyam and an abnormally tall Linian man in a brown cloak and hood were surrounding an elderly Katorian. Hyam had his foot secured on the Katorian\u2019s chest, who wore Colonel Concord\u2019s style of uniform. There were several Linian soldiers and civilians with guns inside as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHyam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCullen?\u201d Hyam responded. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d He extended his arm toward one of the armed men, who was pointing his laser rifle at Zeb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here for Major Carc. What\u2019s going on here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam lifted his foot off of the Katorian man, who was presumably the deceased Major Carc. \u201cI\u2019m afraid Hadrian here has offered me and the rest of the Nazas a great sum of money to help him.\u201d Hyam looked around, implying that he and the other civilians were members of the infamous gang.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Linian general pointed to Major Carc, signaling the other soldiers to pick up his corpse and take him out of the building. He walked over to Hyam, who raised his arm and motioned toward the man. \u201cThis is General Hadrian.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

General Hadrian removed his hood, who appeared as if he were half-human with the hair of a Linian and the height of a Katorian. He had menacing eyes and wore similar armor to his soldiers under his cloak.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb paid no attention to Hadrian and instead glared at Hyam. \u201cThe Naza Gang, Hyam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam held up his hands. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry, Cullen. I had no part in the death of your friends,\u201d he replied. \u201cI am passive in most affairs. Hadrian paid for information, so I provided.\u201d Hyam stepped toward Zeb and put his hand on his shoulder. He began to speak, but his voice was silenced when Zeb grabbed him by the neck, strangling him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou broke our trust, Hyam, both mine and Concord\u2019s,\u201d he growled as Hyam choked. \u201cWho attacked the Grove Fort?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam stared at Zeb, struggling to breathe. He didn\u2019t attempt to answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas it your gang?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam shook his head, using most of his strength to gasp for air. Zeb looked over at General Hadrian, who he expected to intervene.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo-quarter flares?\u201d Zeb asked the general, referencing the red flares from earlier. He continued to grasp his former friend\u2019s neck. \u201cYou\u2019re going to kill everyone in the town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The general put his hands behind his back and walked closer to the scene. \u201cMy men have been instructed to spare the women and children,\u201d he answered slowly in a thick Linian accent and a deep, menacing voice. \u201cI suppose they are all at the temple now. However, this town will burn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb let go of Hyam\u2019s neck and threw him to the ground. One of the gang members walked over to help him up. Zeb turned to the general.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me, General, why are there thousands of troops surrounding the area?\u201d Zeb asked Hadrian. \u201cThere\u2019s only a few hundred men against your massive army.\u201d The soldiers in the building slowly made their way toward the scene, rifles at the ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know why, General.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hadrian waved his hand, and the soldiers moved more quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour soldiers lack purpose. They fight for you, but they\u2019re fighting a war that\u2019s been fought twice already. They know there\u2019s no reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The general stepped back as Zeb pulled out his laser pistol. The soldiers raised their rifles but ceased to fire as Zeb pointed his pistol at the ground, firing at Hyam without looking. The blast hit Hyam\u2019s arm, and he fell backwards. The gang members and soldiers who had not yet raised their weapons did so promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyam screamed in agony as his arm caught fire and his blood poured into a puddle around his body. Hadrian held up his hand and his soldiers lowered their rifles. The gang members backed away and Zeb put his pistol back in the holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had every intention of killing Hyam and the rest of the Naza Gang when they came to me a few hours ago,\u201d General Hadrian explained. He took his Linian command sword out from the sheath on his uniform. \u201cI listened to one of the men, who told me that he and a group of his bandits had killed the rebels at the Grove Fort and set fire to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb watched the general as he paced around in a circle. Hyam continued to yell in agony behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to spare them when Hyam came to me on the north side of Armalon. He had taken Major Carc as his hostage, killed the remaining soldiers in town, and told me he had gained the trust of Colonel Concord and his friend, Zeb Cullen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb turned around and stared at Hyam, whose agonizing expression ceased.<\/span><\/p>\n

The general slid his finger across the gleaming blade. \u201cHe explained everything to me\u2013 your attack plans, your expectations. I was amused when he told me that the colonel was expecting my troops to solely attack from the southern direction.\u201d Hadrian lifted his sword up to Zeb\u2019s heart and touched his jacket with it. \u201cI did not expect Colonel Concord to be that ignorant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb scowled as the general twisted the edge of the sword, digging into the jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI promised to pay the Naza scum, and they led me here. I had the chance to meet Major Carc, and then you arrived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

General Hadrian smiled and lowered the sword. Zeb watched as the general spoke a few words in the Linian language to two of the men, who went over to Zeb and restrained him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am afraid I have to respect the order of the red flares.\u201d Hadrian told Zeb. \u201cMay your God have mercy on your soul, Cullen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The soldiers dragged Zeb past the bleeding Hyam and toward the entrance, but they were soon interrupted when two shots were fired from outside the baths. The laser blasts went through the soldiers\u2019 heads and blood rained on Zeb and Hyam. Zeb turned his head and discovered that Smit and Sarn had arrived to help him, killing the soldiers who were leading him to his death.<\/span><\/p>\n

The remaining soldiers and gang members inside the baths opened fire on the rebels as Zeb threw himself at General Hadrian. Hadrian lifted his sword and ran toward Zeb, who tackled him at his legs and launched him to the ground. The sword flew out of his hand and landed in front of one of the soldiers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get out of here!\u201d Sarn yelled over the piercing sounds of laser fire. Zeb ran toward the entrance and Smit and Sarn followed him, leaving Hyam on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once they were on the street, Zeb jumped onto his horse and his two companions leapt onto theirs. The soldiers followed them out of the communal baths and continued to fire. Zeb, Smit, and Sarn rode out of the town of Armalon and in the direction of the Uulcroh Fort.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Thundering down the trail, Zeb clutched onto the reins and pushed the Katorian horse to a tremendous gallop. Sarn and Smit held onto their laser rifles as they tried to keep up with the speed at which Zeb\u2019s horse was traveling at.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Linian troops who had been making their way to Armalon on the west side shifted their focus toward the galloping rebels and opened fire. The three men dodged lasers as they were nearing the fort.<\/span><\/p>\n

John the guard, who was atop the Sally port, noticed Zeb and the two men from Armalon and yelled at the men to open the door. They slid off the horses and ran into the fort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord was waiting for them. He looked rougher than he did the night before. \u201cZeb, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here. I-,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He was interrupted by the first laser cannon shot to the fort. The blast hit the south wall, but it didn\u2019t penetrate it. The rebels responded and opened fire on all sides of the complex. Smit and Sarn went straight to work and ran to the nearest cannon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJames,\u201d Zeb shouted to Concord over the sound of artillery. \u201cHyam\u2019s a Naza. Hadrian is in Armalon right now with forces on all sides. The Grove Fort is lost and so are the soldiers!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A laser cannon blast exploded through the eastern wall and knocked the men from atop the fort onto the ground. Concord\u2019s expression was more nervous than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve already reached Armalon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you didn\u2019t already notice, they\u2019re coming from everywhere!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Concord sighed and placed his hand on Zeb\u2019s shoulder as the booming sounds of the cannons echoed throughout the temple. \u201cZeb, I need you to help the civilians in the back of the temple,\u201d he told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have to fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cZeb, you-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an order, Zeb! I trust you more than anyone here, and I need you to make sure they stay safe. Now go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy God be with our souls, James.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Zeb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeb ran into the temple and headed towards the back, entering through the small rear door. Dozens of women, children, and elderly civilians sat on the ground. They were huddled together, embracing each other as the battle continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone!\u201d Zeb called out into the crowd. \u201cI am Zeb Cullen from the Terraguard of Earth. Colonel Concord sent me to make sure you sta-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The walls around the temple exploded as several laser cannon blasts were launched into them simultaneously. The stone rained on the civilians as Zeb clenched his fists and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jack Grotefendt By the creek which was named the Ro-Feum by the people of the planet of Kar Kator, a temporary camp had been built. It stood on a muddy bank, which was shaded by a few trees. The creek was a few miles west of the Sebanicus territory border, which had been populated by… Continue Reading Third War on Kar Kator<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":0,"parent":17,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_theme","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-407","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=407"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":437,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/407\/revisions\/437"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/20-2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}