Then the unused Unen crystal activated.
“This is Urik do the Outcasts and I think Urog is right. I was also in he EEF for a time and I can tell you that most Earthers in the colonies don’t really care one way or another about what we do. They hold us no ill will. Sure Two thousand years ago was different and the Church or Ones people don’t know any better but that’s what they are taught.”
"An attack like this would be pointless and I can tell you why. Firstly your launchers would be destroyed from the air or orbit before the missiles even got to their targets. Once they got to their targets they’d probably be taken out or negated by local defenses anyway and if they did do any damage it would only be bad news for us.
But the best reason I can think of it not to do it is simple. Breaking earthers with leyas won’t show them to be monsters. It will only show what monsters we have allowed yourselves to become.
We lost just about everything because of the genocide I can’t deny that. But we’ve also built so much since then. Is it worth losing all of that for a petty revenge that won’t change a single thing in the past? When do we say enough is enough and let our own hatred and prejudice go?"
Valurk held the comm crystal in his hand as he paced around an empty room in the Lab. He listened very carefully to everything that was said. To the Ogog who wanted to attack the Earthers. To the Olgogs that egged him on. And to the Olgogs that pleaded for the attack to be called off.
To Valurk, it really didn’t matter. However, he knew of Krodnok’s wishes, his plans. This attack would go against those plans. However, Valurk wasn’t the greatest of negotiators.
So, he waited, and listened. He would gather intel, and report it to Krodnok.
Like so many across the Goblin Lands Valurk wanted the benefit of the information without the conversation necessary. Onderal could see the crystal he had sent to the Dead was still active and broadcasting. Someone was listening. Without the respect of joining the conversation.
He looked at every crystal that had not bothered speaking to him, and motioned to one of his Mag Der’al. A huge Olgog with a massive morningstar stepped forward and began crushing those who had not spoken at least once until only those who spoken to Onderal remained.
The Alchemist said, “Thank you for your time, Respected Leaders from across Der’al.
We have much work to do if we are to rise to equal the Earthers in their constructions.
But we must leave the many lands open to the Ferals who must choose their own path.”
What about the missiles wondered all who had listened.
“The Missiles are currently being loaded into special obscured containers for delivery to sites deep inside Earther Colonial territory. Urik was right. My simple alchemical designs cannot outrun their guided missiles, cannot dodge their laser turrets. I will need to detonate them inside the colonies, and blame their detonation on the Northern Kingdoms. This will cause a second Border War to ensue.
As the Northern Kingdoms and the Earthers finish each other off, we will claim this continent in the name of the Olgogs of Der’al. But as many of you said, we will not raise a hand in violence. Let them be violent upon themselves or they can choose peace and simply suffer in silence.”
“These weapons will NOT be detonated as long as my Mag Der’al are freed across the Goblin Lands,” said Alchemist Onderal as he stepped up onto his palanquin, “The deathmarks on their heads must be removed and they must be given freedom as normal citizens. No more pogroms against them.”
The palanquin rocked as it was lifted, and soon Onderal was on his way from the safehouse.
The typist ran after him, with a folio filled with wonderfully incriminating notes.
Behind them the house had begun to smoke and burn as the fire set inside consumed all traces of their time there. The comm crystals shattered.
As they reached the road outside, they could see the Unen Coast. It was a beautiful morning and the juvenile Ontor were swooping down upon the stalefish with a splash every few moments. A single Ontor, little longer than an arms-length, landed near them. Its tawny wings fluttered as its paws held the flopping stalefish down. A single bite from its fanged mouth tore out the fish’s belly, and even from here they all could hear the purr coming from it as it gorged.
Onderal leaned down to his Typist and said, “See that…the Ontor knows whats up. A good exercise, a good meal, a good rest make a good life.”
The Typist wiped his brow and asked, “Sir, what about the next part of the plan? When do we do it?”
“It is already underway,” replied Onderal, “As the others suggested, even the Auf Lal’al work with VLAD. A group calling itself VLAD offered to help us deliver the devices. So we get to simply rest and relax on a tropical island while the plan unfolds.”
“VLAD?” asked the Typist, hearing the name for the first time today.
“Yes, they said the Old VLAD always delivers on time,” said Onderal, not seeing the irony in his words, “They were run by a sweet young Olgog with silver capped tusks. Would have been quite handsome, but he had a bit of a deformation. Either the Mag Der’al will be freed or the Earthers will suffer. He promised us vengeance before the year is out.”
“Before the year is out.” whispered the Typist. He quickly used his fingers to tap a quick tattoo on a commcrystal hidden in his cloaks. As he did so the dots and dashes were transformed from Morse code into words and Anise spoke them out.
It was a distant base in Saragosa. Home to the New VLAD Agency. And as Anise translated, her superiors McMurphy, Te Te and Shinefox listened with rapt attention.
“OLD VLAD Operating in Goblin Lands. STOP. GATHERING FORCES. STOP. TRICKED MAG DER’AL into standing down. STOP. OLD VLAD in possession of REAVER SLIME and MAG DER’AL samples. STOP. Will continue under cover. STOP.”
McMurphy looked down at his desk in frustration.
“I think we may need a full scale Division south of the Border,” suggested Shinefox.
“Locals won’t allow it,” muttered Te Te.
“Then they are going to be facing a deadly serious problem,” said McMurphy.
