Tom was riding his camel through the desert on his way to the largest nomad camp in the region. The nomads or Nerubians as they call themselves were converging on that spot. For the past three weeks, nomad attacks were fewer in number. He looked around him. He was traveling with his men and then other camel platoons, the First and Second Colonial Companies. He looked at the colonials. They were brown-skinned Metis from Western Canada, white Quebecois from the Kingdom of Quebec and the black Nerubians, who favored Canadian rule. All were dressed in their khaki uniforms and pith helmets, armed with the new SKS rifles. Tom was glad that the new Viceroy had declared the creation of a colonial army. They marched on foor, while the Imperial Legion rode their camels. Sergeant Willars rode up. "Sir, do we know who is leading this army?"
"Ah. A Colonel Sir Frederick Grant, I believe. He's an idiot."
"What do you mean, Lieutenant?"
"In the Battle of Saskatoon, Colonel Grant led his men in a suicidal mission against the orders of both the High Command and the Kaiser. He was supposed to hold the center with the tanks and other infantrymen. But when he saw the enemy retreat, he ordered his men to charge. We knew it was a trap, but we did it anyway. I was under his command until I got moved to Anchorage. He ordered a full bayonet charge and we followed his orders. We abandoned the center and went after the RLF. But then they cut us off from help. We fought our way out, but it was only the Colonel, myself and three others. By abandoning the center and getting his entire command killed, he had doomed Saskatoon. The enemy drove right for the center and crushed it. Then we lost the city and that's why he is out here instead of America."
"We have a lunatic leading us. We're all dead."
Before Tom could agree, a familiar voice got his attention. "Tom, Tom Richards. I haven't seen you since Saskatoon." Tom turned and saw the Colonel ride up to him. Tom saluted. "Colonel Grant."
"It's good to see you again boy. You're a lieutenant now. Well, you have come a long way from Saskatoon."
Tom looked deep into the Colonel's eyes. "And you are still a regect of the High Command. I heard they would'nt promote you to brigadier general after you so bravely held the rearguard against the RLF during the retreat."
Colonel Grant stared down the young lieutenant. "You best know your place, boy. If I had it my way, I would have been on the High Command by now, and you would be a drunk former soldier."
"Funny how things turn out. You are sent to deal with desert nomads instead of fighting the Americans and the Viceroy thinks I have the beginning of a wonderful military career."
Colonel Grant rode ahead of the army as they made their way unto a massive sand dune. Tom looked down and saw the largest nomad army he had ever seen. The army looked like it outnumbered the Canadians nearly three-to-one. Colonel Grant saw the size of the army and Tom could see the colonel sweat in fear. The colonel turned his camel around and rode as fast as he could back to the coast. The Canadians saw this and were about to follow the colonel. Only Tom's platoon and the Canadian Nerubians stayed. Tom turned his camel and cried back to the retreating army. "Don't follow that coward! Follow me and we will be victorious!" A few of the colonials and the Imperial Legion returned, but the majority retreated. Willars turned to Tom. "Well, Colonel Richards, what's the plan?"
Tom drew his saber. "I want two lines of infantry here. I want the cavalry to dismount and form up in the line. We can hold them here. Corporal Stevens, radio in that Colonel Grant has deserted us. Tell them that Lieutenant Tom Richards is in command. Tell them I want anything they can send quickly. And do it now."
Everthing happened in a few minutes. His orders were carried out. He dismounted from his camel and pulled out his SKS rifle. The nomads saw that they could destroy this small army. They charged with bayonets and swords. Thise with guns fired them. Tom yelled. "Fire!" The Canadian army opened up on the nomads. Many nomads were falling. But they were still outnumbered. Tom looked at his men. "Slowly retreat, but keep the ranks and keep firing." The army got up and slowly walked backwards firing at the nomads. But they were being overtaken by the nomads. Tom knew this was the end. But in that moment something came formthe sky that he never thought would come. A Specter gunship flew over the nomads. It fired it's 105mm howitzers and gatling guns. The nomads were falling back. Willars looked up and said . "What's that?"
Tom smiled. "That boys, is our guardian angel." The Canadians surged forward. The nomads were being mauled by the continous fire from the infantry and the fire power from the gunship. Soon the nomads either ran for their lives into the desert, or surrendered to the Canadian forces. Tom lookede up into the sky. They had won.
It had been two days since the victory over the nomads. There were a few reports of nomads raiding small farms on the river, but overall, the First Colonial War was over. Tom was in the waiting room of the Viceroy Palace in the capital of Nerubia, Omdurman. The secretary looked at him. Tom thought she was very beautiful with her Metis skin and long black hair. She returned the look at Tom. "You're Tom Richards, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"I'm Sophia Constantine. I was wondering if you would like to get coffee after your meeting?" General Salem poked his head through the door and ushered Tom in. But before the door closed, he looked back. "I'd like to take you out for coffee." Sophia blushed.
Tom saw the Viceroy seated behind his desk. David Morena looked up. "Lieutenant Tom Richards. Good to see you. Take a seat. I have something to say to you." Tom sat down as Viceroy Morena continued. "I was very pleased at you military record. You will make a fine general one day. But today, I have a few things to give you. One is the Cross of the Canadian Empire, the highest military honor you can recieve, the Medal of Valour, the Medal of Bravery, and the rank of Colonel. What do you say that?"
Tom was speechless. "Thank you, Your Excellency." He stood up as the Vicroy pinned the Cross of the Canandian Empire, the Medal of Valor and the Medal of Brovery on his chest. He then handed him his commision and his shoulder straps with the crown and two stars on them, the symbol of the rank of colonel. The Viceroy and the General saluted him and Tom returned the salute. "Congratulations, Colonel Tom Richards."
