Earthers Read online

Alex replied.

  Julien requested.

  Alex replied.

  Julien replied. He’d linked to the SADEs the moment Alex requested the strategy.

  While Z and Miranda participated in the plan’s design, they were on their way to one of Mickey’s engineering labs to transport the huge holo-vid to the auditorium.

  3: The Plan

  When the auditorium filled with the expected participants, Alex left his front row seat, walked to the edge of the stage, turned to the audience, and said, “I’ve a question for the expedition’s veterans. Is there any hope of redemption for the insectoids?”

  “None,” Tacnock announced promptly.

  “I’m loath to agree with my friend,” Jess said. “I’d like to think there’s always some hope for a race, but for the insectoids, I’ve never seen a hint of it.”

  “After nearly six hundred annuals of the Colony’s deadly contacts with various alliance races, I think the answer to the question is obvious,” Ophelia added.

  “I sense nothing redeeming in their emotions,” Kasie said. “They’ll never relate to us.”

  Alex turned toward Aputi, who said, “None.”

  “Then we’re agreed,” Alex replied. “The Colony is to be eliminated.”

  “I thought that’s what we’d been doing?” Jess queried.

  “Captain, you’ve been recovering the alliance’s lost domes,” Alex replied. “How many non-alliance domes have been usurped by the Colony?”

  “How will we locate these systems?” Jess asked. He had visions of traveling through unsecured domes and battling insectoids to determine the infestation level.

  “Glad you asked,” Alex replied, with a grin. “The SADEs have a plan.” With that Alex resumed his seat between Renée and Julien.

  Z and Miranda entered the stage from the wings, and Z triggered the holo-vid, which sat upstage. Its beam spread wide and reached the top of the stage opening.

  “Wow,” Aputi remarked loudly.

  “My partner adores all things robust,” Miranda quipped, holding her Frederica avatar arms wide as she spoke, and the audience erupted.

  Z projected a star map in the holo-vid. “These are the locations of the alliance home worlds,” he said. “We know there are hundreds of connections between their domes and the non-alliance worlds, but we have no data on the star locations of these other systems. We’re left to conduct a physical search.”

  “Alex has requested specific parameters be applied to govern the search,” Miranda said, “And our strategy implements these conditions. Observe.”

  The holo-vid star map shrunk by half its diameter, and the extended area was encircled by a faint yellow globe.

  “This globe represents the limit of our search,” Z explained. “We have confidence that any locations outside this area of space will either not contain the Colony, or it won’t matter to the alliance or us for a long period of time if the insectoids do exist out there.”

  The image changed again. Now the globe was sectioned into six shapes that originated from a common point in the center and flared outward to its surface.

  “The search will start at the sphere’s center,” Miranda continued. “Coincidentally, an alliance world is located near here. It’s Pyre.”

  Ophelia, Kasie, Jess, and Aputi laughed at the irony.

  “We’re the center of the alliance,” Ophelia declared. “Who would have thought it?”

  “The Omnian fleet, with the support of Earther Tridents, will divide into six commands,” Z continued. “It will be unnecessary to search alliance races who have recently communicated. We have those records from Pardus, the archivist.”

  “Each command’s admiral will be responsible for one of these sections and must assign stars to his or her Tridents,” Miranda explained.

  “Then Admiral Gaumata will be involved in the search,” Jess assumed.

  “Precisely,” Miranda replied.

  “Then who’ll guard and service Pimbor and Quall?” Jess pursued.

  “The commodore will have two squadrons, the Rêveur, and the freighters to manage those functions,” Z replied, which eased the veterans’ minds.

  Tacnock’s brow furrowed. Something didn’t add up. he sent.

  “Yes, Tacnock,” Miranda said, signaling Z to pause.

  “Apologies, Z,” Tacnock said. “I count six sections in the globe, but I know of only five admirals.”

  Z sent.

  Lucia’s head swung from Miranda to the globe. She checked the section count, and then her eyes focused on Tatia. The fleet admiral smiled at her and winked.

  “Congratulations, Admiral Bellardo,” Miranda announced, when she saw the exchange between the pair.

  Lucia was processing what had just happened when she felt Jess’s arms encircle her shoulders. “Congratulations, you deserve it,” he whispered to her. At the moment, she didn’t know which was better, her promotion or Jess’s hug and whisper.

  Tacnock’s brow furrowed again, and he tentatively raised a furry hand.

  Miranda sent to Z. “Yes, Tacnock,” she said, interrupting the audience’s conversations.

  “If the commodore is now the admiral, then who is the commodore at Pimbor and Quall?” Tacnock asked.

  “That would be Commodore Tenard,” Patrice announced. “Hereby approved by President Fowler.”

  Oleg’s mouth fell open. Then it was clicked shut by Aputi’s hearty backslap.

  “Any more questions, Ser?” Miranda asked Tacnock.

  “No,” the Jatouche replied, leaning into his seat and baring his teeth in a contented expression.

  “The commands will encounter different scenarios,” Z said. “Each scenario must be recorded with star coordinates and sent to the Freedom.”

  “A dead system need not be investigated any further,” Miranda noted.

  “In the event that a system is discovered with a habitable planet, it might or might not have a dome,” Z said. “If it’s without a dome, please collect telemetry data on the planet and send it.”

  “If it does have a dome,” Miranda continued, “you must investigate to determine whether the Colony occupies it.”

  “A dome with a ring must be prosecuted,” Z continued. “Every Trident and fighter’s controller will receive our attack program to eliminate the ring.”

  “If transports are spotted around the planet, a count must be taken to determine the level of infestation,” Miranda finished.

  “Captain Cinders, we request your opinion of our analysis,” Z queried.

  “On Miranda’s point about examining domes without rings,” Jess said, “it would be best if that was done at a distance. You don’t want to alert the Colony of your intentions. Furthermore, observe it for a while. It would be valuable to know the number of gates and which ones are firing.”

  “Noted,” Z replied. “Anything else?”

  “Yes, Z,” Jess said. “When transports are spotted, it’s the same thing. Collect telemetry on the planet. Is there ship debris in orbit? If not, are there population centers, and are they active?”

  “Also noted, Captain,” Z replied. “Any more?” he prompted.

  “I’m just wondering what we’re supposed to do with the information the commands collect,” Jess asked.

  “You sound anxious, Captain. What are you anticipating?” Alex asked.

  “Four centuries ago, our first explorers, Jessie Cinders and Harbour, led a team of explorers from the Rissness dome. That’s on the Jatouche moon,” Jess said. “The Colony’s home world was one journey from Jatouche. The team fought their way through the Colony’s dome to reach a connecting dome. They discovered the insectoids were building a shuttle in an adjacent structure. That do
me was in a non-alliance system.”

  “I take it, Captain, that you’re expecting the Colony, during these intervening four centuries, to have populated planets which have non-alliance domes,” Alex surmised.

  “That’s exactly what I’m afraid the admirals will find,” Jess replied. “That’s what I believe is the primary purpose of the Colony’s movements through the domes.”

  Except for the SADEs, the audience was stunned into silence.

  Juliette and Esteban had listened to the veterans’ stories. From those exchanges, they’d postulated that the Colony’s ventures into alliance systems came as a result of their desperateness to expand beyond their home world.

  “Then we’ll have our work cut out for us, won’t we?” Alex replied confidently.

  “What are ‘us’ doing?” Jess asked, which made Alex chuckle.

  “Us will be eliminating the insectoids,” Alex riposted.

  “Alex, how many ships are you expecting President Fowler to commit?” Patrice asked.

  “We’ll work with whatever we’re given,” Alex replied. “The more we receive, the more we understand Sol’s commitment.”

  Patrice received the message loud and clear. The search, with its element of limited enemy contact, was an opportunity that Sol couldn’t afford to forgo. She intended to communicate that to Nikki through Cordelia, with a request for privacy.

  “I’d like to return to the subject of us,” Jess said.

  “That’s a subject for the subsequent meeting with our new admiral and the veterans,” Alex said, “which begins now.”

  On that note, most of the audience vacated the auditorium, and the veterans crowded into a tight group, occupying front-row seats.

  “This conversation is truly about us, Captain,” Alex said. “If your suspicions are correct, to any degree, then we’ll face an enormous challenge defeating the Colony. How do you propose we do that?”

  “With as many shadows as we can produce,” Jess replied determinedly.

  “How about as many shadows as Sol can produce?” Alex corrected, and Jess and he shared broad grins.

  “We have the manufacturing capacity,” Patrice agreed excitedly.

  “And this is an opportunity, Patrice, for your government to redistribute a portion of the license fees that have accumulated,” Julien noted.

  “Then the Freedom will be the ship that delivers the shadows to the system?” Jess inquired. “How many can you afford to purchase?”

  “Yes, to your first question, Captain,” Alex replied. “As to the cost, don’t worry about it. The SADEs will distribute the shadow’s design systemwide, and we’ll accept all units that they approve. Remember, this city-ship is built to carry and service a quarter million people. We’ve plenty of space.”

  * * * * *

  When the fleet made Earth’s orbit, and Nikki received word that Alex’s traveler had launched, she sent landing coordinates.

  “There are no buildings in this vicinity,” Julien informed Alex and Renée, as the ship descended.

  “Nikki wants to make a point about something,” Renée surmised. From Julien, she received a link to the controller’s telemetry that matched their destination. “Oh, it’s a beautiful park,” she said excitedly and shared the link with Alex.

  Nikki arrived at the park in a grav car, and she waited for the Omnian traveler to land.

  Omnians and alliance individuals exited the shuttle into warm sunshine, the smell of fresh air, and the sight of trees, grasses, and ornamental shrubbery. The sounds of birds and small animals were heard.

  “I love this place,” Renée said enthusiastically.

  “Welcome to Earth,” Nikki said, with a smile.

  Alex noted the president’s demeanor was different. She was more comfortable with them. “It’s nice,” he said. “Why here?”

  “This was the site of United Earth’s headquarters,” Nikki said. “Elbert Munford, the previous president, had the buildings torn down and the park created. There’s no marker or plaque. Sol’s citizens were happy to see any and all vestiges of the prior government’s existence removed.”

  “It’s a mistake to bury the past too deep,” Ophelia said. “Better to remember it so as not to repeat your errors.”

  “Will you ride with us, Madam President?” Renée asked to interrupt the intent stares between Nikki and Ophelia.

  Nikki tore her eyes away from Ophelia, regarded Renée, and smiled. “I wouldn’t miss the chance to step off a traveler with Alex and you,” she said.

  As Nikki had hoped, she had her moment. She let Alex, Renée, and Julien precede her off the traveler. They were greeted by a huge crowd that had formed on the grounds in front of the Sol Enclave administration buildings. When Nikki exited the ship, she linked arms with Alex and Renée to the delight of the Earthers. Then she guided them toward a temporary stand.

  Renée sent to Alex.

  Alex replied. It had been the occasion of his first address to a large group. In that case, the individuals were the Confederation’s Independents.

  As it was, Alex and Renée had no part to play. Nikki took the opportunity to address the assembled throng and the media. She sold Alex’s proposal, and the audience ecstatically embraced the concept.

  At one point, Nikki glanced toward Alex. Her expression clearly said, “I told you they wanted this.”

  Over the next few days, the details of the agreement were solidified. Nikki presented it to the Assembly, and it was ratified.

  The fleet chief medical officer, Pia Sabine, and Nalia, a SADE, organized Earth’s medical staff for presentations.

  The SADEs transferred the tech data about scanners, implants, and cell gen formulas. Then they supervised the construction of manufacturing sites.

  Meanwhile, the critical discussion about Sol’s Tridents and travelers ensued.

  The Sol fleet was informed of the potential to join the Omnian fleet. The senior commanders were none too happy to learn that the Omnians wanted only captains and senior captains. It meant that senior commanders would see a drastic reduction in their forces.

  Tatia, Reiko, Franz, Deirdre, and Lucia boarded travelers to visit with each Trident captain and their fighter pilots.

  It was Lucia’s idea to use Oleg and his two captains from the expedition to accompany three of the admirals. Of course, she kept Oleg for herself. During the expedition to find the Honora Belle, she and the commodore had established a good working relationship.

  Tatia had determined the number of Tridents that they would need based on the SADEs’ search plan. The count, including Oleg’s requirement, was thirty-eight Tridents, carrying full complements of travelers. It would be half of Sol’s Trident fleet.

  While the interviews got underway, Alex proposed to Sol’s companies the Omnians’ intention to purchase shadows that were built to precise specifications. Then the SADEs distributed the designs systemwide.

  Many of the companies that had supplied parts for shell-ship construction jumped at the opportunity to construct new Omnian tech. The companies’ officers didn’t understand the purpose of the spider-like constructs that they hurried to produce. Although, they did wonder.

  After ten days of interviews, the admirals and Oleg and his captains rendezvoused aboard the Freedom to discuss their results.

  “A lot of enthusiasm,” Reiko remarked, “but not much experience.”

  “They’ve been practicing the basics,” Franz admitted.

  “Did anyone discover if they’d been involved in war games?” Tatia asked. She received negative responses.

  “It’s not their fault, Admiral,” Lucia said. “The Omnian expedition transferred the ship specifications and assisted with the tech uplift. After the Tridents and travelers left the construction orbital stations, Sol’s naval force took possession of them.”

  “We treated the controllers like our old ships’ computers,” Oleg explained. “It was only during our time in alliance space that we l
earned our Tridents’ true capabilities. That was thanks to Admiral Bellardo and the SADEs.”

  “So, we treat the crews like raw recruits,” Deirdre said.

  “Raw recruits in charge of Trident warships and fighters,” Franz remarked. “Don’t forget that the agreement stipulates that Earthers will populate a ship’s entire crew.”

  “Let’s get down to business,” Tatia said. “We’ve rated them on a multitude of subjects. Let’s see if we can get our thirty-eight.”

  The first shipment of shadows arrived soon after the admirals began their deliberations. They were delivered aboard cargo travelers. The SADEs didn’t bother to unload them. Instead, they inspected them on the spot.

  One in three shipments was accepted. Often shadows were returned with requests for minor corrections. A few shipments were sent back with refusals and polite requests to not send any more units.

  A small app in Jess’s implant, courtesy of Julien, tallied the number of shadows that were stored aboard Freedom.

  Jess’s first visit to a bay crowded with shadows became an eerie and yet innervating experience. The SADEs had populated the new arrivals’ controllers with the attack programs.

  Through the airlock’s viewport, Jess saw the shadows lying belly down on the deck in a helter-skelter arrangement. When he cycled through, the shadows detected their assault commander. They swiftly rose on their legs and spun to orient toward him. Sensors in the small heads focused on him.

  Jess suddenly faced hundreds of meter-high, laser-capable shadows ready to respond to his every command. A moment of fear about the power the shadows invested in him slowly gave way to a determined grin. Had he known Tatia better, he might have recognized the similarity in their intense expressions.

  “At ease,” Jess whispered to his waiting forces. The shadows had no response to what they heard, but it had thrilled him to say it.

  Many veterans and alliance races had died fighting the insectoids, who gave no quarter when they were engaged in combat. Now, Jess believed that the insectoids would meet their match.

  While Jess watched the shadow number grow, the admirals reached their decisions. They’d selected nine more candidates than they needed. That was good, because eleven captains refused the offer or made extraordinary requests that eliminated them.