Rough Riders On Mars! - Chapter 35 – Rejik the Merchant

 

Chapter 35 – Rejik the Merchant

We pitched camp on the edge of the marginal area west of Lethes. At dusk, I sent Sergeant Banto and 4 scouts to communicate with Rejik. Banto and one other would contact the merchant while the others waited on the outskirts of town. I was nervous with anticipation waiting on their return.

About 10 o’clock one of the men came running back to camp.

“Colonel!”, he yelled “Banto and Granto are captured!”

I rushed out of my tent and confronted the private.

“Slowly private,” I said, “tell me what happened.”

The man had caught his breath and began his tale.

“We were waiting just outside of town. Sergeant Banto and Granto moved ahead. They stopped at a shop. Someone came to the door. I saw them standing talking. As the Sergeant turned to leave soldiers came down the road. The sergeant talked to them. It looked like they argued for a time. More soldiers came. Then the Sergeant and Granto left with the soldiers.”

“How many soldiers did you see in all?”, I asked.

“Five in the first group, then five more.”, He replied.

“And our other two men?” I asked.

“They are still watching the town.”, he said. “We wanted to help the Sergeant, but there were too many.”

“You did well following orders and reporting back to me.”, I said. “Go get you some food and water and get some for your comrades as well. You’ll be taking me to them shortly.”

“Yes sir.” He said, then disappeared into camp.

“Sergeant Fish!”, I called. “Looks like we’ll need to make plans for a jail break.”

Sergeant Fish and I sat in my tent to discuss our options.

“It looks like Reytik is setting his pickets here.”, I said. “I had hoped he would be further east.”

“Yeah, if he is this close, it don’t give us much breathing space.”, Fish said.

“Lethes is not a large town.”, I said. “I wouldn’t think they will have much of a garrison. Perhaps we can set up a diversion with the scouts, then your squad can break into the jail and rescue our boys.”

“It would be nice to know a little more about the place before we go and rush in.” Fish said.

“Indeed it would.”, I said. “But we must play with the cards we were dealt. However, we know that the Martians are consistent in the way they layout a town. So, we know that Banto and Granto will be held in the town’s center. We shall only have to traverse a block or two to get to them.”

“At least they are predictable that way.”, he said. “But how many guys do you reckon will be there?”

“We know of ten.”, I said. “Thirty would give them a good rotation for watches.”

“Do you think ten rifles will draw off the lot?”, Sergeant Fish said. “And if it does will eight scouts be able to handle it?”

“We can’t let Reytik’s men get too close.”, I said. “we need to get them moving away from town but keep them at long range. You are a sharpshooter, aren’t you?”

“Why yes, but…”, Fish said.

“Good, “, I said, “You take another crackshot from your squad with the scouts. Keep the scouts firing as fast as they can. They just have to make noise. You and the other sharpshooter will provide telling fire. That way Reytik’s men will think they are engaged by more than what we really have.”

“Because we can outrange them,” he said, “we can hover just out of reach. That might just work.”

“You’ll take your squad to the east end of town and start shooting at sun up.” I said. “If they press you, move directly south and keep them going that way as long as possible. If they don’t follow press them until they do.”

“How will you know when to make your move, Colonel?”, Fish asked.

“Fire three rapid pistol shots when you have them well engaged.”, I said.

Then I heard the sentry call out. Fish and I went to see what was happening. The two scouts with a third person came into camp.

“Report, private.”, I said.

“We spotted this man coming out of the canal. He seemed to be looking for something, so we caught him and brought him in.”, one of the privates said.

“Good work men.”, I said. ”You may return to camp.”, addressing Private Canto. “Nanto, you take Private Ennis with you to continue watching the town.” The two scouts moved on, leaving the gentleman from town. Professor Edgren arrived at this time.

The Professor talked to the man a bit then turned to me.

“This is Rejik the Merchant.”, he said. “He snuck out of town after our men were taken.”

“Ask him to explain what happened.”, I said.

The Professor and Rejik conversed again.

“He said that your men came to his house, asking him to come and meet with you.”, the Professor translated. “as he was preparing to follow, the guards came up. They were concerned by the uniforms our men were wearing, as they seemed out of place. Our men tried to convince them they were just traders, but the guards took them into custody,”

“What do you think will happen to them?”, I asked.

“It may not go well for them, if they cannot verify their story.”, Rejik replied.

“How many men does Reytik have in your town?”, I asked.

“Only twenty.”, he said. “The men here are only to watch what you are doing. There are not many soldiers between here and the mountains.”

“Do you know anything of Reytik’s intentions?”, I asked.

“He is trying to rally support from other states.”, Rejik said. “Alba sent some Ma Gongi to test your power. They are now wavering. Reytik will try to sway them with some quick action while you are unready.”

“Is he massing a force somewhere for this attack?”, I asked.

He is planning to strike from the south, by way of the Arges canal then up the Leontes.”, Rejik said.

“How soon?”, I asked.

“He wishes to start moving in ten sols time.”, he said.

“Do you know how far Reytik’s power reaches?”, I asked.

“Nominally, to here.”, Rejik said. “His real power starts one hundred bantu this side of the Phlegra Mountains. He is risking much on this venture.”

“Why are you helping us, Mr. Rejik?”, I asked.

“Reytik has wronged my family many times to line his pockets.”, he said. “But not just him. All the nobles in Ceraunius are corrupt. They must be defeated if we are to continue living.”

“Thank you for your help, Mr. Rejik.”, I said. “Will you stay with us for the night?”

“No, Mr. Roosevelt.”, he said. “I must be back in my place by morning or the authorities will suspect something.”

With that, Rejik walked off into the night and we were left to our rescue mission in the morning.