by David Nash
32
Earth
“General Davis, to conclude the briefing, there is no indication that the Kernel has discovered our deep cloaked ships sending people to the Oort base. Even if they had broken our cloak, we have been transiting out from point 3 and doubling back after 5 jumps. If our boys had been tracked, they would have lost their tail.” The officer conducting the briefing was a young Lieutenant Commander, I had no reason to believe he was wrong, but I could not afford to guess.
“Commander, the words ‘no indication’ does not have the same meaning as ‘has not’, stop with the weak words and tell me what you know. Do you have any word on what ships are prepared out in The Oort Cloud?” I ask
“Sir, Commander Benson personally sent the message that they have two Battle cruisers built, and with a third twenty-five percent complete. They are focusing on building thee ships to dock with the first cruiser to make it fully operational. He wanted me to pass his estimate that barring any unforeseen circumstances, and if the personnel transfers remain at the current pace, Oort would have it fully operational in 10 days, with the second fully operational in as little as 5 weeks. If, of course, they focus on the smaller ships and stop construction of the incomplete cruiser.”
“Make it so, and pass on to the Admiral that while we fully intend to continue the staffing pattern, it is war, and he is to get those ships built. I have full confidence in his efforts and appreciate his success. And what of the Dome Port in the Asteroid Belt?”
“Commander Hickerson says RPS Quiet Man is nearing completion, and he is awaiting the arrival of Rear Admiral Hunter and the new crews, the Cruiser is fully cloaked, and they are currently working on the ships to complement it. He says 6-7 weeks to fully finish the Cruiser Battle Group.”
“Good, it is about time they both receive a promotion, notify records about the change to both Captain Benson and Hickerson.”
Turning to my Sergeant Major, I ask him how the training is coming.
“Sir, watching those Centaurs as the swoop in and shoot up the place is impressive. Our men are coordinating well with our allies, and we have 2 divisions of troops trained and ready, with another in the pipeline now.”
Nessus did not move at the mention of his herd, but I could tell he was proud to hear the complements.
“That is good to hear Sergeant Major, what of our ship crews and fighter teams?”
“We have taken over 90% of the world’s naval forces and transitioned them to crew training. It is a good fit, and let’s face it; naval ships in the space age just don’t cut it. We have more than enough crew in training to fill out our current TO&E and then some, the issue is getting them all experience shipboard. The Sangren educator is helpful, as are the simulators, but it just isn’t the same.”
“No it is not, but it is more than we had is it not?” The Smage was an Original Dozer and was with the Legion almost from the beginning. He was one of the first McCall recruits. He participated in the Barkun traitor hunt that threw a particularly nasty former politician in the trunk of a car.
“Yes. Sir, but navy pukes aren’t exactly dozers either sir.”
I ignore the remark, as most of the officers in the room are former ‘navy pukes’.
“And our fighters?”
“The old fighter simulator tournaments are working. We have built simulator bays in every major college and university worldwide; we have to turn away more candidates than we can recruit. Hell sir, we may even consider putting Big Berthas at each campus just to build more fighters to have enough seats for the asses to park themselves in.”
“Thank you Sergeant Major, I am sure we will take that into consideration. One last thing, how are my Dozers?”
“General, we took much of the rank and file and spread throughout the new divisions to ensure that every platoon had at least one combat veteran. Between that and the non-coms and junior officers being promoted and spread throughout the legion it spread us OD’s really thin. While I am not going to say it was on purpose or anything, the cream of the crop did manage to find a way to stay in the Battalion and are ensuring our new recruits are up to the task of being a Bulldozer.”
Just like I knew never call the Sergeant Major Smage, I knew that the decisions of who to keep in my personal battalion was handled by him personally, and it was definitely on purpose. I also knew that the best recruits, both officer and enlisted alike were all being funneled into the Dozers. As long as they knew the cream of the crop gets picked first I had no problems with it. My Dozers were the closest thing the Legion had to a special operations command and they were undoubtedly going to get some very dangerous missions in the near future.
“Well, now that personnel and logistics are handled, let’s hear from the brain trust, what new toys have R&D come up with?”
Commander Asku began to speak “Sir, we have been focusing almost all our attention into two overlapping areas. We have been studying the formerly ridden to not only try to reverse their condition, but also to understand how it occurred. Our working hypothesis is that if we can understand the mechanism of injury we can prevent it.” I nod in agreeance that this is a worthy area to research and he continues “We still are having no luck in reversing the condition, but coupled with your experience with the Kernel attempting to control you, we have made progress in understanding more about the process. The voices you heard were remarkably similar to what is experienced by those diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Our patients all seem to have damage to the insular cortex. We haven’t found a way to prevent the damage, but we may have a way to mitigate it somewhat.”
That has my attention. “How so Commander?”
There have been studies that music helps schizophrenics deal with the auditory hallucinations, and it is believed that the insular cortex plays a role in music intervention. While not tested, it seems likely that deeply motivating music with a strong beat may act as a focus point to help resist the takeover attempt.”
I raise my hand to get Asku to pause; I look at my senior enlisted warrior. “Sergeant Major, get me a playlist to pump into the suits. I know it hasn’t been tested, but I do know having some Five Finger. Death Punch in my ears during the Kernel’s attempt would have helped. Throw in some Thunderstruck, Flight of the Valkyries, and of course Machine Head.”
“Bulldozer! Aye Aye sir!” He says enthusiastically.
“Hell Sergeant Major, it is your playlist get it done!”
Back to the briefing,” Sorry for interrupting Commander, the memories of that takeover attempt are still fresh, no excuse, Please continues.”
“Yes, sir, as we said it is not tested, but at the very least we believe it will give a focus point to help fight the kernel. We have also focused on using the signal itself fight the Kernel just as you have said.
In consultation with the Germ, the idea of using the signal to send a wave similar to an Electromagnetic Pulse is just not possible, the signal doesn’t work like that. We also conclude that at this time, we don’t have enough computer power to send over a virus to damage or destroy the Kernel. It is similar to how medicine works. We have the technology to give a human a virus, but we can’t create one from scratch. We could try to manipulate a known computer virus, but the immune system of the Kernel is already inoculated, so to speak, against the best we can come up with.”
I try to hold my frustrations in, but with the memory of the voices refreshed in my mind, I am having a hard time. “So, what can you do?”
“Well, Sir, We can mimic the signal.”
“Mimic the signal?” I ask
“Yes, we can tune in to, decode the instructions from, and then send fake signals of compliance. From within an individual combat suit”
“So, that does what, makes the Kernel this we are ridden?”
“In short yes, it does have some drawbacks, at least theoretically.”
“And they are…..”I reply
“Well the users actions would have to be somewhat close to what the order is, I mean if everyone was run
ning in one direction and you said you were running with the pack, but were going the opposite direction, it would be noticeable.”
“And?”
“It probably would not work in large groups, at most 5 or six people, and the closer you got to a hive mind the more likely they were to see through the ruse.”
“How close, exactly?”
“General, we can’t test it, but theoretically, the same room. Maybe more, it depends on how well they can see what you are doing and what you are carrying. On an occupied planet without humans, a combat suit would be a dead giveaway, once the hive mind saw it.”
“So maybe we get close enough to destroy the Hive Mind, and maybe we get discovered by a camera as we land?”
“Unfortunately, the answer is yes, additionally, if you get discovered the Hive mind will know you have decoded their signal.”
“So, if you can broadcast a return message then can you jam it, send a signal that can over-ride the commands, say the Sergeant Major’s playlist at massive volume? Would that interrupt the command signals to their troops?”
“Again, theoretically it is possible, but not only do you let the Kernel know of our breakthrough, but they can switch to a new signal that we haven’t discovered. They would have to recalibrate the ridden, and our understanding is that to do that they would have to send a clear signal on the jammed frequency to allow the implant to switch to the new frequency.”
“And if they switch to a new frequency?” I ask, “Can’t you just turn the dial and do it again?”
“We use the term frequency to describe the theory, the carrier signal is not ‘exactly’ on the electro-magnetic frequency scale, well it is, but with quantum states and hyperspace tunnels it gets complicated. No, I am afraid, if they switch frequencies, it will take as much effort to find the new wave as it did the old one.”
“But is it possible to find it? Can we broadcast on a new one?”
‘Yes general, that is possible; once you understand the theory broadcasting is easy, it is finding the right wave structure that is hard.”
“But we can broadcast on a frequency the Kernel doesn’t know about?”
“Yes, we have that capability.”
“Commander Asku, how small could we make a device that was able to receive, encode, and then rebroadcast the signals on our own frequency?”
“It would depend on the range and the required power.”
“Something covert that could pick up broadcasts in an area and beam it up to a satellite in orbit. Can you do it?”
“We would not have to if the broadcast was on the surface or even a hundred or so meters below. The carrier wave can be picked up from orbit just as how Marvin monitored you when you got a lawyer. If you were going deeper into shielded area we could build repeaters roughly the size of a human hand.”
My senior enlisted coughs into his hand and gives me his innocent look.
“Yes Sergeant Major?”
“Sir, I sure ain’t a scientist, but I do like toys. This thing sounds a like my ex, she’d get mad and start yelling, and I could not even think she was so loud. No matter what I did she just got louder. I bet if I was in orbit I could hear her.”
“Dammit Provo, spit it out, false modesty does not suit you, you may claim to be just an old broke down SEAL, but I know you took the full does of Sangren education just as I know the IQ score listed in your personnel file.”
“Sorry Sir, if we deploy the tech in our fighters, use them to create a net around a planet, could be broadcast loud enough to block all signals on a planet? I imagine, we would have to clear space out first and still fight individual kernels, but I imagine if we killed every stinking one of them no one could tell we broke the code.”
Commander Asku looks thoughtful, which I know is him listening to the other Sangren researchers monitoring the meeting through their implant. After a few moments he returns my gaze. “Yes sir, this is well within the probabilities of success, we can build the capability into our new ships with a small reprogramming of the replicators, and a week of retrofitting for the existing ships. We also can build small shielded listening devices we can place in orbit around Kernel infested planets.”
“Great, get it done.” I want to use ‘make it so’ as my go to statement, but last time I tried Renata teased me for weeks telling me I should shave my head if I was going to steal lines from science fiction shows.
“Does anyone have anything else pressing to add to the meeting? Nothing? Alright, before you all dismiss I’d like Herd Leader Nessus, Admirals Cross, Stephens, Morse, Bradley and Sergeant Major Provo to stay, the rest of you get back to work!”
Once the room clears out, I activate my radio, “Alan, please come in here right now?” No answer and the blinking green light on the cone of silence means it is working.
“Gentlemen, before we start, those with implants please call your Germ partners into the meeting.”
I wait another few seconds to ensure that the cone is truly working.
“Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks, The Cone is working, and the only people in this room are privy to the conversation, I mean for it to stay this way. The Sergeant Major will shoot anyone that leaks the contents of this discussion, won’t you Sergeant Major Provo.”
“It would be my pleasure to do so sir!”
“I think he means it.” I tell the assembled staff
No nervous laughter meant that the Smage probably wouldn’t have to shoot anyone today. I get on with the meeting
“Gentlemen, I have a decision to make. Before I make it, I want your opinions. This decision will impact every human and centaur in the universe and the individuals in this room will have a great part to play. Admiral Cross, you command the Earth Militia as Stephens does the Fleet we are building to protect Earth. Morse will command the 1st Cruiser Force and Bradley will command the 1st Fleet Expeditionary Force that is made up of two brigades of Legionaries. We all know who the Herd Leader commands, and what he is bringing to the table.
It is my belief the Kernel is going strike soon, and the longer we wait the more time they get to consolidate their gains. However, I think that as soon as we leave Earth to liberate the planets lost during their first strike they will come back to strike Earth again. Does that seem to sum up the situation?”
A chorus on unanimous affirmative answers showed I was not alone in my thoughts.
“So here is what I am planning to do about it.”
After several more hours, a missed lunch and a lot of back and forth we had a plan. The devil was in the details, we had a timeline of three months to get everything ready yet keep it secret from everyone. We could afford no leaks, for the trap to work it had to be a total surprise. This is why I was not going to tell President Eastman, I was however, going to drop a hot potato in another President’s lap.
33
Studio of the Global News Network
“We are privileged to have in our studio, for the first time ever, Commandant General William Tell Davis, the larger than life founder of the Legion and Savior of Planet Earth.” The bombastic talking head was verbally vomiting, but I could see through the charade and see that the only thing this windbag was interested in was ratings.
“Well Chuck, first of all general is fine enough, and the title Savior of Earth was already taken, all I did was run around shooting lizards. Just about any old country boy could do that.” I wink at the camera, this playacting disgusts me, but that is probably a reason President Eastman was so insistent I did the talk show circuit.
“Alright General, so what brings you to Coffee with Chuck? While we are honored to have you on the show, you have been notoriously private, except for your campaign for President Sabol.”
Touché! “Funny you should mention that, you see, I have a job to do, and it keeps me busy so as much as I like GNN, I don’t really have time to talk, some of us have to work. I campaigned for Sabol because I believed in him and felt that if he were the President of Earth the Legion could b
etter protect humanity because Sabol was the first recruit to the Legion and he knew what was needed to protect Earth.” Let’s see if he takes the opening...
“And yet you did not campaign for President Eastman”
The trap closes...
“No, I guess I didn’t. Before you ask, I have great respect for the President, and would not dare to say he doesn’t know how to protect Earth.”
Chuck takes a sip of coffee as he lets the audience see he has caught me in a trap.
“So General, with your first-hand knowledge of space, if you were President what would you do to protect us?”
I shrug my shoulders and raise my hands animatedly “I am not the President, so my hands are tied, but frankly, the longer we wait here the longer the Kernel has time to build a massive invasion army. We only have one solar system to gather mass, while they have all the Barkun and Sangren systems. It is me they want, as I was able to resist their attempts at mind control. I believe the safest action is to fight. To send the legion in to harm’s way is the best way to keep the fight away from Earth.”
“So why aren’t you doing that General, isn’t that within your power?”
“Come on Chuck, everyone has a boss.”
“So you would go but you are not allowed?”
“Now you know I can’t SAY that. I cannot comment on global security, but in the interest of transparency, let’s just say there are two camps, one that wants to destroy the threat before it can attack Earth again, and one camp that desires personal protection from those same warfighters.”
“Well folks, you heard it here first, straight from the mouth of the Commandant of the Legion. Stay tuned, after the commercial break we will discuss the economic impact of President Eastman’s Military Draft.
The camera’s turned dark as they cut to commercial break, the talking head shook my hand and thanked me, but I could tell he got what he wanted and was on to the next victim.
Eastman knew the military scares a certain type of citizen, and that the continued recruiting would eventually become unpopular if an invasion did not come. Like all rational individuals he knew that war was coming, so he did what he had to do.
