Quest for the Well of Souls - Jack L. Chalker [81]
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About forty kilometers back, the other group was fighting a similar battle with different weapons.
Trelig and Burodir were crouched behind rocks, shooting tracers at the attackers. They had some effect, but not much; although the Pugeesh were enormous, there was really very little to them. A wall of flame was much more effective than the odds of a projectile hitting a vital spot.
The Dillians, acutely aware of how large a target they were, found concussion hand grenades much more effective. The shrapnel from the grenades found their marks in a wide spread.
One of the spindly creatures charged and a great claw reached out for Renard. The Agitar's suit was from an Entry of his race; it was designed at several contact points to allow the electrical discharge of which all Agitar males were capable. The claw grabbed him, and he reached up and fed the charge into it.
There was a hiss and a crackle, and the Pugeesh curled up into an impossibly small burning ball. This made the other Pugeesh pause, and they drew back cautiously.
The grip hadn't torn the suit, but it had been painful nonetheless. Renard hoped his shoulder was just bruised, not broken.
"Well, they're not eager to die, anyway," Trelig shouted optimistically.
The Ghiskind considered that. "Perhaps that works for us. Make sure this ptir doesn't wander away," it said, then abandoned the body, its red-cloaked visage floating into the darkness after the still-present but hesitant Pugeesh.
The creatures watched the Yugash's approach and hurled some rocks at it, which passed harmlessly through. One took a sharp spear and lunged at the Yugash, also to no effect.
The specter reached the spear-thrower's body and merged into it. The Pugeesh turned, convulsed, then charged into its fellows in the darkness.
Terrified, they uttered high-pitched screams.
The occupation was short-lived, however; too scared to do anything, the poor Pugeesh who'd been possessed simply dropped dead.
The Ghiskind emerged, satisfied with it demonstration, and headed for another. They pulled back in terror.
Frustrated that it couldn't talk to them at this point, the Yugash turned and glided back, then returned into the ptir.
"I have just given those savages a demonstration of my powers," it told them. "Perhaps now I can talk to them."
The ptir scuttled toward them, and this time they were not hostile toward it. Their red faceted eyes had followed the fearsome ghost back to the camp and watched as it merged with the crystal being. They knew what approached them.
The Ghiskind stopped when it was convinced it had an audience, and turned its radio to external broadcast.
"Pugeesh! Hear me! We will cross your land. We will not harm or otherwise touch you or yours unless you attack us again. If you do, I promise you that not only you but your children will suffer for generations. Neither mind nor body of us shall you touch, and we will do the same. Is that agreed?"
There was no reaction for some time, then the sound of murmuring and mumbling. The Yugash received no formal reply, but soon heard the sound of many creatures moving off. Inspection revealed just one or two remaining, apparently observers.
In a way, they'd agreed.
Fairly confident now, the Yugash rejoined the others. "I don't think they'll bother us again. If they do, we'll have to come up with a really big power demo."
"Maybe they were luckier with the Yaxa group farther on," Trelig said hopefully.
Vistaru, totally helpless in the battle because she was too small to man a weapon and her suit prevented flying or use of her stinger, sighed. "Poor Mavra!" was all she could manage.
None of them slept the rest of the night, and they packed up and continued their journey at dawn's first light. None of the strange creatures had molested them further in mind or body, and they hoped it would stay that way.
A couple of hours later they came upon the camp of the Yaxa party, saw the charred remains of the battle, and Vistaru noted