Operation: Home Front, A Journey. . .
Author: Centurion A. P. Selene, Doberman Empire

	Beyond the great doors, the hallways changed.  Where before they
had been bright, high, and open, now they were darker, closer, twisting and
turning, sometimes for no apparent reason.  Where before doors had dotted
the sides with regularity and uniformity, now they appeared infrequently
and of various constructions.  Where before the walls had been unbroken and
smooth, now pipes and cable ran across them and down them.  The alarms from
the previous section echoed poorly, having given way to flashing purple
lights that gave everything a ghastly coloring.
	The Jihaddi had just backed away from an area where the piping had
taken on the appearance of veins across the walls - it felt like Lyran
construction, and lacking Maenads they all wanted to avoid those.  They
were now faced with going back several intersections or choosing two paths
angling up, and Will was nervously admitting to himself that the sure
knowledge that B'harnistic bases were built on simplistic pattern had been
founded upon much less invasive intelligence missions that didn't try
getting to the heart of things.
	He and Selene were holding a fast conference, Selene doing most of
the speaking.  "Look, Will, there's a fast and simple solution.  Scouts.
We send them ahead a few intersections, they can report back to us on
generally good-looking choices for routes."
	"It'd be faster if we had a map.  I still say we get the techs up
here and find them a port."
	"For all we know we've passed ten of them.  This place doesn't look
anything like a normal base.  Besides, since we don't know where one is,
our only viable option at the moment is scouts."
	"You've got a point."  He nodded.
	Selene quickly moved back through the group and took four
volunteers for scouts, sending pairs of them up each path.  After only a
couple of minutes, a scout returned from the right-hand path and said,
"Just a few turns and it starts going back in and down."
	"Excellent," said Selene.  "Retrieve the scouts from the other path
and we'll take this one."  He acknowledged and shot off as the group moved
again.
	Sure enough, after two turns they were headed back in.  Selene
looked about.  "Has it struck you," she said," that our strategy has been
extraordinarily effective so far?"
	"I fail to grasp your meaning."
	"I mean, we initiated a frontal assault to draw off troops and
attention.  But all we've met is one group holding position.  Wouldn't you
have expected to have encountered more patrols?"
	"What about the three we just left?"
	"According to Turbo, they weren't with the base, but a separate
group.  And back here - automatic systems we've been finding in plenty.
But patrols would be a necessity."
	"I... I don't know what to say.  You're considerably better at
tactical analysis than I."
	"I'm at a loss.  And it's making me nervous."
	"No bullets is good news, yes?"
	"No.  Categorically, no bullets when you were expecting them is
rarely good news.  Just... keep your eyes peeled.  And one last thing: have
you thought about how to get Private Merengue out?"
	Will's face reddened.  "I'm... afraid I'd given her up for dead."
	"Will!"  she nearly shouted before she remembered to keep her voice
down.  "We don't know if she's dead yet!"
	"How would we find her?  And do you want to spare the time to look
for her before we've completed the main mission?"
	"Of course I want to.  But - you're right, but still..."  She
steamed wordlessly for a few seconds.  "Be careful with that kind of
thinking, Will.  Logic can win a lot of arguments, but the Jihad is going
to lose this war if we forget the human element."


	Hooded robes milled about.  A low hiss floated through the dimness,
quiet with blue-hot fury.  "We have been /duped/..."
	It echoed in other voices, in thoughts.  "Duped... duped..."
	"And for months, no less.  Blandly going about the true business
while this... /human/... constructs an elaborate scheme for his own
purposes."
	"Attracting Jihaddi..."
	"Delaying any number of operations..."
	"Stealing our works..."
	The mid-ranking messenger that had brought the news stood quietly,
as was his place, in the middle of the room.  The Lyran contingent at this
base had been semi-permanently assigned, and they were understandably
angered at developments.
	The highest-ranking of them took control.  "We will reshape events.
The Jihaddi have as yet been unable to penetrate the base, correct?"
	"Rhyn has reassigned every soldier he has authority over, except
stationary guards, to the repulsion.  So far they are holding."
	"The Wyrm-Minion imposter?"
	"Unfound as yet."
	"Confirm this."
	The messenger activated a com panel.  "Special Mindlock Unit 1.
Report."
	Silence.
	"Base Internal - track Special Mindlock Unit 1."
	"Junction 12C3F."
	"Motion?"
	"On average, stationary."
	"On average?"
	"Motion in fixed patterns in one sector."
	The high-ranker dispatched two to investigate.  "Status of Rhyn's
plan?"
	"Our estimates indicate high likelihood of positive result.  There
is still dependence on ongoing Jihaddi assaults, but it is small."
	"Rhyn himself?  His co-conspirators?"
	"Still commanding the repulsion from Core."
	"Is he himself necessary?"
	Pause.  "Most likely... not.  The only goal would be to keep the
Jihaddi away from Central Base until this... Main Generator activates."
	"Then act swiftly.  Command your troops to Core.  Inform the
WarMade.  We will open the way.  Let the traitors be taken and killed even
in the hour of their success."
	A voice crackled in.  "Special Mindlock Unit 1 was caught in a
Jihad working.  Some one-third had broken mindlock.  They have now been
slain, and the rest dispatched after the Jihaddi.  They have broken through
to Central Section."
	That caused a stir.  "Dispatch a portion of troops to patrol
Central.  A further section to guard the Generator.  Quickly!"
	One of the more active of them spoke.  "Should we take part in the
defense ourselves?"
	"The young should be silent in the presence of their betters."  The
young one gestured in formal response.  "Now... we shall prepare
contingencies."


	"Commander!"  One of the scouts who had been sent ahead skidded to
a stop before Will and Selene.  "There's a large group of minions, maybe 80
or so, headed this way!"
	"What about side passages?" Will asked.
	"None, sir."
	"How long 'till they're on top of us?"  This time it was Selene
with the question.
	"Maybe fifteen minutes, definitely not more than twenty."
	"Damn, not much time."  Deep in thought, the Centurion
unconsciously stroked a talon.  "I don't see any way out of it.  We'll have
to face them, which means we're going to lose a lot  of valuable time...
bloody hell! "
	Will nervously eyed the sharp, pointed claws that had replaced a
portion of each of her fingers.  "You sure?"
	"Unless you have something else up your sleeve..."
	He thought it over for a moment before responding. "I'm afraid
not," he reluctantly admitted.
	*Selene?* the dragon 'spoke'.  *What about the DespongeToolkit[tm]?*
	*What about it?*
	*Why not try it?*
	*Are you sure, Zaph?You know what happened during testing...*
	*I know.  But if it'll work...*
	*But what if it doesn't?There won't be lab techs around to pump us
full of JavaMochas[tm].  And there will be a hell of a lot more Spongies
here too... I think it's too risky.*
	*I think it's a chance we have to take.  Not only will it keep us
from being discovered, but we'll also save time.  The risk is worth it.*
	Selene sighed mentally.  *All right, Zaph.  You win.*
	Turning to the scout, she spoke aloud.  "Go find Brackard and tell
him to bring me the MetallicDT[tm]... and be quick about it."
	Signaling to another man, she ordered, "Go find me the CO of Alpha
and tell him to get prepped for battle.  I want to meet with him and his
people in five minutes."
	The two men ran off, her tone urging them to hurry.
	Selene turned to her Co-Commander, wondering how to explain it to him.
	Will spoke first.  "I take it Zaphyre had a better idea?"
	"Yeah... but you're not gonna like it much.  I need you to take the
rest of the troops back up the hallway about two hundred yards or so."
	She held up her hand to hold off his arguments.  "Let me explain.
Brackard, Zaphyre, and I have been working on this  new form of a
despongification device.  We thought that by  combining a known
despongification tool with a telepathic reinforcement of B'harnii's True
Self[tm], we would have an ideal weapon for Zaphyre.  She could despongify
most while I took care of the  ones that are... well, zombies - you know,
too far gone to be  helped."
	"Couldn't Kit and I help?"
	"No.  This is still in the experimental stage.  We've only tried it
in the labs a few times and never before in the field.  The first couple
times we tried it, well..."  Her voice trailed off, silence and shudders
sufficiently describing the results.
	"If we were somehow both... compromised... Will, we can't take that
chance.  You have to see that.  Getting to the Generator[tm] has to be the
top priority.  Let me do this."
	"But B'harnii's True Self[tm] is dangerous to handle.  What if I just-"
	"No." She didn't let him finish.  "With Kit around, the telepathic
energies are... well, changed.  Besides the fact that you'd be wiped out by
the psychic backlashes that the device emits.  It just... it wouldn't be
good.  And, I hate to admit it but you are one hell of a distraction for
me.  Zaphyre and I need to focus 100% on what we're doing.  I can't do that
with you around."
	"Look, use Kit to keep an eye on things from a distance.  That way,
if things go awry... you'll know and might be able to help.  You'd still
have half a chance of getting around us and reaching the Generator[tm] in
time."
	"Half a chance."  He shook his head doubtfully.  "I don't think so.
We can't afford to lose you."  His stomach clenched when he saw the
determination in her eyes and knew that she was going to go through with
this crazy plan no matter what he said.
	"You know that's not true.  Any number of the guys here could
handle it.  Let me do this, please.  Promise me you won't interfere?"
	Will thought privately, any number of the guys here don't make me
feel like I'm on the top of the world when I'm around them.
	He looked at her helplessly.  "I really don't want to leave you
like this... but you're not going to give me any choice, are you?"
	She slowly shook her head."No."
	He silently worked to regain control of his emotions.  Voice tight,
he continued, "Be careful..."
	Just then, Brackard approached.  Upon reaching them, he exploded,
"You can't do this, Selene!" Seeing the steel in her eyes, he turned to
Will.  "Stop her, please."
	Impassively, Will replied.  "I tried.  I can't."
	Selene burst in."Look, Brackard, it's the only way.  We can't
afford to lose the time in a firefight!  Not with a group that big."
	"No.  I won't let you do this!"  Her assistant refused to listen.
 	*You have /no/ say in the matter!* the woman angrily shouted into
his mind.  *Choose:  Shut up and come help me or stay behind.  I /will/
leave you behind, Brackard.  We /are/ going to do this... with or without
you.*
	Brackard glared at her.
	"Well?" she prompted.
	Giving up, he shot her an exasperated look.  "Fine.  I'm  in.  But
/I/ run the equipment."
	She smiled."Done."
	Will gave her a concerned once-over.  "Are you sure you know what
you're doing?"
	She turned to face him. "No," she answered truthfully, "but it has
to be done."
	He nodded once, briskly.  Never taking his eyes off Selene, he
backed away slowly.  His voice hoarse, he spoke.  "Take care of her for me,
Brackard."  Pivoting sharply on one heel, he signaled the rest of the
insertion team to follow as he started back up the hallway.
	Selene watched him go.  Feeling the beginnings of tears prick her
eyes,  she wiped them away with one hand.  *I love  you,  Commander William
Jonathan Keith...* she whispered in her mind, *until we meet again.*
	The Dobe Centurion spun suddenly as the men and women of the Alpha
team approached.  Hiding her own fears, she explained what she needed them
to do.
	When finished she asked, "Do you all understand what needs to be
done?"  They nodded.  "Good.  Then move into position.  Brackard,"  sheturned to her second who had been busy setting up the equipment while she briefe
d the others.  "Are you ready?"  She added silently, *You know what to do
if something goes  wrong...*
	He nodded and patted his sidearm before going back to fiddling with
the knobs and switches on the control box.
	*Good.*
	Selene lowered herself gently to the ground in the center of the
corridor and assumed the lotus position.  Softly rubbing her talons
together,  she looked inward asking, *Zaphyre, are you ready?*
	*Yes.*
	*Then, let it begin.*
	The Centurion sank into a deep trance.  A peaceful sense of calm
settled over the corridor, as the hidden troops waited for B'harnii's
faithful to arrive.
	The first sponge minions appeared, happily chanting their favorite
Luv song.  Selene sank deeper into the trance and when the moment felt
right, sent the message to her second.
	*Brackard, begin.*

To be continued...

 Centurian Aphrodite Persephone Selene & Zaphyre
AKA Dwagon Couch Extraordinairre
 zaphyre@hypercon.com

 First Law of Aviation. "Take-off is optional, landing is compulsory."