Secret part 9

Gutama Gouda was not happy. His guards were good, but they were no match for Special Forces of any type. Worse, even if he escaped the censure of his Plutarkian superiors Special Forces would not be far behind. Whose he had no idea, but the repercussions of this strike could well cost the Plutarkian Empire two resource bases. Sometimes he felt that being honest would actually help the main aims, but few understood why Plutark needed so many resources. It had recently got worse as they had met another expanding Empire. So far Admiral William Wensleydale had put in a more than creditable performance, both at blunting their attacks and driving them back. Still the trouble brewing in this area would mean he would be needed here as well. And no matter how important a Plutarkian was he could not be in two places at once.

"Gutama Gouda. You have not been performing to expectations."

"I send the right amount of stuff every month. The reason I've been so successful until now, is because unlike Limburger I have not stuck my neck out. You have just blown my cover, you addle-plated asses. I was the only Plutarkian the Earth Military had missed." Gutama coldly stated. "I expect Earth Special Forces or a Mice Problem soon."

"We're only dealing with a member of the opposition. An eco-warrior. You'll just be a mysterious disappearance. No-one will ever realise you're from Plutark, and even if they did they wouldn't be here immediately. And they won't get all of us at the same time even if they were."

At this point the walls blow in. Four people are riding bikes but following in on foot are four humans in basic Earth body armour. Gutama shook his head at the unconscious Plunderers. "You just had to say it didn't you?" Then he turns to face the female biker. "Finally admitted it? Good on you, Miss Davidson. Still there are times when one must accept defeat. At least for the time being anyway."

Modo spoke. "He's tricky. He's probably the most dangerous Plutarkian. Not as insane as Brie, Doesn't overstretch like Limburger. Understands that different approaches are required."

"I agree with the analysis." Carbine said, then thought to herself. “But that's because Gutama thinks like an ambitious and cunning human, who knows when to aim high."

"Hmm, getting rid of Plutarkians makes sense. " Gutama thought aloud. "But hitting us this hard would only get a fleet sent here. No, wait ... it's already on the way, and you need to close down the last leak but why?" Then as realisation dawns "Oh ho. So that's why Limburger’s building is still intact. Clever, but virtually impossible."

Once the group was back at the Last Chance garage they poured over plans of the Plutark command ship. This mission would if successful remove the Plutarkian grasp from both worlds. It was a remarkably simple plan. Find and kill the Admiral, so that both discipline and morale would dissolve. This would force the Plutarkians to fight on the mice's terms.

"Gutama worked it out, and we think he’s the last leak we have here except for Limburger. And Limburger has never been stupid. We have to move now before that Lardbutt realises our plan. Else...”

"He'll blow up his own building."

The group nod. This is a throw of the dice, a huge gamble, but it is the only chance they have. If Mars could confront a disorganised rabble rather than a set of soldiers, then both planets chances will be improved. Still even if the plan works the outcome is far from certain. The mice and the Special Forces moved together. This was not going to be good. Still William Wensleydale had probably got a teleporter near him, though not as close as most Plutarkians if he was even half as smart tactically as he was supposed to be. Still the surprise would give them some time.

---

"The manic malevolent mice will be making mayhem momentarily unless we can stop them." Limburger pointed out. "The primates have probably presented me as a prize to a possible Pal. This is a disaster in the making. We must do something."

Karbunkle grimaced. If Limburger was avoiding his awful alliteration he was actually afraid. Now Limburger had got him doing it. He had definitely been working too long with his boss.

"I'm sure I'm overlooking something but I can't think what." Limburger states confuzzled.

An alarm blared. Someone had activated the teleporter without his or Karbunkle's say so. The mice were in there.

"Karbunkle cut them off, and warn the fleet. I should have realised something was amiss when the mice didn't destroy my domain."

Karbunkle flicks switches and the teleporter shorts out. "Your Cheesy Corpulence they are cut off. But I believe I got their in time. We must warn the fleet though." At this Limburgers building finally explodes and collapses. Limburger sighs "Should have known it wouldn't last."