Ch 23) Governor Schweinheim

Nicky tuned the communicator into the AE3 frequency and listened. For a while there was just static but they soon heard faint chatter on the line. It was a conversation about a curfew in the Furtopian Capital.

"...if we're caught after curfew there will be no second chances. Bang! We'll be executed right there on the spot," said the first voice.

"I don't care. It's a rough game but we have to chance it," replied another in a resolute tone.

"Excuse me, please do not be alarmed," interrupted Nicky. "This is cadet Nicky Wolf. Am I speaking to Furtopian survivors?

There was a pause and a brief crackle on the line and then a reply...

"This is General Foxworth speaking, formerly of her majesty's galactic forces. Now, leader of the underground resistance. What is the purpose of this communication cadet?"

Blackie stepped forward and spoke into the receiver.

"Pardon the interruption Sir. This is Captain Blackie Bear. I am joined by Captain Whitey Yukon and Cadet Nicky Wolf. I was captured during the Eclipsian invasion but due to the initiative of Cadet Wolf have been liberated. I am contacting you to find out the latest from Furtopia and request assistance in rescuing Princess Monica. I am not at liberty to divulge my location but suffice to say I have been off world for some weeks now."

"Good to hear there's someone else out there giving these blighters what for. I knew they couldn't contain all of us," replied Foxworth.

"So, what are conditions like? How tight is the Eclipsian grip?" continued Blackie.

"I'm afraid things are quite grim my boy. That Schweinheim rotter has the whole planet under martial law and is enforcing a strict curfew. All surviving military personnel have been transported off world to POW camps. It's a sad business but surrendering is not going to save their lives as the poor devils are likely to be worked to death in labour camps."

"I'm only too familiar with that situation," added Blackie.

"Yes, well, those who did not surrender have been hunted down and executed on the spot. I've been doing my best to organise those I can find into some kind of guerrilla resistance force to foul things up for the Eclipsians. It's a difficult business and moral is quite low."

"I just don't understand it," interrupted Blackie. "How did this happen? How were we taken so completely by surprise? It's like the Eclipsians had an inside man."

"You're not too far off the mark there Captain," said Foxworth. "In fact they had five inside men. Or to be more precise, five of the highest ranking commanders in the Furtopian Military were in the Eclipsian's pockets. Admiral Hound, Commander Stag, General Bearkoft, General Katt and Field Martial Hawk had formed a treasonous republican junta and collaborated with the Eclipsians to overthrow the monarchy. They now have formed a government with Schweinheim acting as interim governor of the new republic. Ha! As if he's going to hand power over to them. The tyrant is drunk on his own success. He's turned the palace into his own private residence and rules like the Emperors of ancient times. He has forced many of the daughters of the royal family into his harem. He parades around in a scarlet robe and has decorated the palace with the heads of captured Furtopian resistance fighters. Mine could be there soon."

"I can't believe it," said Blackie. "What of the parliament and the royal family?"

"I don't know who survived the massacre at the palace. But the King, Queen, Prince Grizzly and First Minister Leopardis are all dead. As far as I know Princess Monica is now the rightful heir to the crown. All of our hopes lie with her."

"We're going to find her, but we need your help. Do you have access to a space craft of any kind?"

"I'm afraid not. The Eclipsians have got the skies totally controlled. Nothing can come in or out without them knowing about it. Any attempt on our part to break through their security is only going to draw attention to yourself. I hate to say it, but we're trapped here and can only..."

The transmission was suddenly stopped and the sound of shouting and many footsteps were heard. Moments later the unmistakable zap of Eclipsian pulse rifles could be heard over the communicator.

"Foxworth! Do you hear me? What's happening?" called Blackie down the line.

There was no answer but they could all hear shooting and what sounded like a desperate fight taking place between the resistance and Eclipsian soldiers. Then there was silence.
After a tense few minutes of waiting and listening a new voice could be heard booming through the speaker.

"Furtopian terrorists listen and learn. Resistance is futile. The Eclipsian war machine is rolling on. We will find you and kill you!"