by David Nash
“It is about time.”
“Marvin, can you communicate with the remaining Barkun ships?”
“Yes sir, shall I bring them on screen?”
Once I have the ugly faces of six lizards staring at me, I give my ultimatum. “The first one of you that stands down can carry my message to your new Emperor. The rest die.”
“Marvin, cut the…” The screen image disappears.
“Sir, three ships stopped firing”
“Tell the Sangren Kernels to spare them. Get the Emperor on the screen”
The image of an angry Barkun reappears on the screen. “Your last three ships have surrendered. Your fortresses are in Human control. We are preparing to drop one onto your...
“Marvin mute the screen and get me Jones on the horn!”
“Yes General?” Jones replied.
“Stop don’t drop the fortress, we won. Tell the assault ship to prepare to reengage the moon on my command.”
“Marvin, unmute the lizard.”
“As I was saying, we won. You have two choices. Surrender unconditionally and survive, or we drop a moon on your world and give the same choice to the next Emperor. You have 30 seconds to decide.”
“What are your terms?”
“Unconditional Surrender”
“I surrender the Barkun Home world Unconditionally.”
People forget I got my start as one of the finest barracks lawyers in the E-4 Mafia. I am not letting him off that easy.
“No, not just the Home world, do I need to explain unconditionally, I will have it written on the crust of the moon before I send it to you.”
Daggers would have shot from the lizard eyes if I had not taken them all already.
“General Davis, I Emperor Peismatáris unconditionally surrender the Barkun empire, all its worlds and people to the Legion.”
“Good, stand down all forces and standby for further instructions. Cooperation will be rewarded by an occupation much gentler than Barkun ‘punishment’. I am sure you are aware of the Marine Corp saying,‘No better friend, no worse enemy?’ make sure you control your people or they will understand it also.”
I made a slashing motion and Marvin cut the feed.
“Captain Marvin, please get me Jones on the line?”
“Sir?” Jones said as he appeared on the screen.
“Jones, do you know why I keep giving you shit jobs?”
“No sir, but if it’s because you like me, may I suggest things I can do so you won’t like me as much?”
“No, I give you the dirty jobs because you always find a new way to succeed. In your heart you are a dirty little enlisted-man. Every good officer knows your kind well enough to understand you always have an ulterior motive and a dozen plans. It is what makes you effective, hell; it is what makes me effective. Do you understand?”
“I do, you like me sir?”
“Yeah, if I wasn’t so damn hard on you people would not respect you. They would look at you as my pet. However, because I am so tough on you, occasionally I can get away with saying to hell with what people think, I am a General after all and RHIP and all.”
“So you are finally going to let me spend time in the rear with Oni?”
“Shit no, you have to stay here. But I will jump you up about 4 ranks. Captain Jones, your ordered are to remain here and are take command of the Occupation force on the Barkun home world. I am leaving you with the assault ship, the fortresses, and whatever support you can scrounge from the Sangren.”
“Thank you sir, Once again, your love of my personality is its own reward.”
“Can it Captain. Now that you are a member of the upper rank, you must show a certain decorum. Remember you are a Gentleman now.”
“Yes Sir.”
35
We raced back to Earth. I was terrified over the potential outcome. I tried not to think about what happened in my absence, but I also could not help thinking about it.
Upon reaching Earth, I saw the remnants of a great battle. Broken ships drifted outside of Earth orbit. The Moon and Mars had deep gouges and craters from orbital strikes designed to take them out of the fight. Of the few Legion ships that survived the battle, none were unscathed. We had suffered almost total destruction of the Legion as a fighting force. Even the surviving ships would have to be scrapped for mass.
Sangren battle cruisers of a type I have never seen have taken up position at the Solar System LaGrange points. As they had not been relieved, our battered survivors mirrored the Sangren ships guarding the transits into our system.
My heart was lifted as I saw that Earth was relatively unscathed. No dust cloud encircled the Earth to block our sun’s warming rays. Later I received the butcher bill for the battle and realized just how many of the original team sacrificed themselves. I lost some of my joy then, but for now the emotion was indescribable. I felt joy, and pride, and hope. 14 years of constant fear lifted when I looked down at white clouds, blue waters, and the green fields of Earth.
It is time to honor the dead and to let the world know what Legion lives have bought. This time I won’t go to the UN, I decide that I will never visit the United Nations again, the delegates cowardice after the First Battle of Earth is something I will never forget. I chose to make my announcement in Greece.
“Captain, I assume you are familiar with Greek history. Are you familiar with its geography as well?”
“Yes General, I am most familiar with both, As you know, I have spent many years in Greece in the time era you know as Before Christ.”
“Good, there is a small plaque on a hill near Thermopylae. Can you locate it?”
“Yes, I know the place. I have memories of the battle the plaque commemorates.”
“Can you locate any survivors of our original team and have them meet us there?”
“Once you do that, please announce to the populace that we will be making announcements shortly, and invite representative of the press, the Grecian people, Minister Lui, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Oh and specifically invite that lovely Spanish prime minister, I never was able to thank her for her insight.”
“As you desire Commandant”
“Thank you Captain.”
We remained cloaked and hovered above the beautiful Greek countryside. I always marveled at how pretty it was. I have been here once before while serving in a Marine Expeditionary Unit, but I never had a chance to step foot on the ground defended by King Leonidas and his personal guard.
Marvin gently informed me that my people have arrived. I met them and was relieved to see those that survived. We shared our sadness at those that perished.
I knew of Rear Admiral Alek Volk’s death, he died securing the victory at the Barkun Home world of Cecrops.
Likewise, Admiral Silmon Johns perished defending Earth. I was later told he rammed his crippled mothership into one of the last punishers and turned the course of the battle.
Captain Thomas Hickerson was not a man who would hide from a battle, especially one raging over Earth. He was no longer needed as to serve as CAG once all his fighters were destroyed. Not one to quit, he commandeered a damaged fighter and fought until his last breath.
Commander Dr. Barbara Farholm and her husband and my friend Commander Robert hall died together defending the Mars base. They were able to take a lot of lizard ships with them, but I’d rather fight the battle again if it meant I could have one last glass with my friends. As the Bobby juniors Godfather, as well as his appointed guardian, I will ensure that their son will grow up understanding the courage and qualities that made his parents the people they were.
Commander Askew died in a bus attempting to capture Barkun ships over Cecrops. He and his hand selected team of Captains did as much as anyone to protect Earth. To his credit, the training and leadership he gave his team contributed not only to their success, but to their survival.
I place my arm around Lieutenant Commander Isoken Oni and tell her that Jones is all right. She looks at me with her angry
face and asks me what dirty job I have him doing now. I respond simply “Captain Jones is on assignment as commander of the occupied forces on the Barkun home world. I will warn you, now that he outranks you, you have to be nicer to him.”
She pushed me away and huffed “He only outranks me at work. At home, my man has nothing to complain about when it comes me being ‘nice’ to him.”
Sabol stood silently away from the group. I extend my hand and he shakes it. “Adam, I picked the right guy all those years from now. I know where your heart is; I saw it in the words you wrote for me. I assure you that history will see you in your true light. The fighting is done for the time being, that was their part, your part comes now as we build a new society.” My formerly shyster attorney turned father of the Republic nods somberly. He does not comment, but I see his back stiffen and his shoulders straighten. I leaned over and dropped my visor so I could whisper into his ear. “I assure you that your civilian rank is recognized in the Legion, and you will always be officially considered a founding citizen of the Legion. Do what you have to do to ensure that is backed up by our law. We are going to need you in politics soon.” His shocked look gratifies me, I love getting a rise from him.
I wish my Sangren brothers could stand with us, but they are still in the Barkun system. They will remain on guard until the Legion can rebuild and relieve them.
Last among the survivors of my team is Marvin. I named him as a joke, but I have never met a better man than my curious robotic friend. I nod at him and smile as I step up to address the assembled crowd.
36
“Friends, I stand before humanity to acknowledge that because of the sacrifice of a few, the Earth is safe for the first time in the history of mankind. I chose to deliver my message on this spot out of respect and reverence for all that choose to stand guard over innocent. Over two thousand years ago, a few hundred brave warriors fought off hundreds of thousands of invaders to protect their homeland and their way of life. Just a few days ago, a few thousand warriors with the same spirit and better spears carried the day against millions of invaders.
The sacrifice of the Legionaries shall never be forgotten, but a plaque or a street named for them is not enough. You stand at a crossroads of history. Your world has become infinitely larger. Soon the people of Earth shall step forth to new planets. You will meet other sentient beings with histories much longer than ours.
The Legion stands for justice and equality. Each Legionnaire has chosen to renounce ties with their home countries in order to be able to protect all of Earth equally. We protect those that are unable to protect themselves. We believed we would prevail because we had justice on our side. We prevailed because individuals stood together to protect something greater than themselves. We live by their sacrifice.
For some of us, our thoughts went past the coming war and looked ahead to the future. Individuals like Adam Sabol came together to form a system of laws built on the successes of those that came before us while learning from the past mistakes of humanity. The people of Greece invented Democracy. Their idea was refined into the American Republic. We learned from all countries and debated all forms until the Legion determined the best system for our Legionnaires.
Now that the Barkun threat is dealt with, the Legion will no longer be an independent force. As commandant of the Legion I am formally announcing that a Federation of Planets has been formed with the consent of the Legionnaires that made it possible. All Legion controlled planets will meet to ratify our Constitution and we invite all planets to learn of our system and vote to join us if they desire. The vote will be held one year from today and will require the consent of 75% of a planet’s populace for ratification.
Until then, the Legion will rebuild to ensure threats to the common welfare are dealt with. The Legion requests Earth help in the rebuilding process and we welcome qualified volunteers.
On a personal note, I want to thank the Chinese people and Minister Lui personally. Chinese citizens joined the legion when others could not. We would not be standing here today without their sacrifice.
The Paiute people allowed the Legion sanctuary on their Moapa River Reservation. The Moapa on that reservation were wiped out during the First Battle of Earth. I extend an invitation to the Paiute tribe specifically, but also to all indigenous peoples as a whole, if any tribal member desires, I will personally ensure they transportation to join their brothers on the Planet Tabuts. The planet has room for all tribes and there will be no tricksters causing discord.
As rebuilding efforts are finished, and humanity becomes ready, other planets shall be colonized, however, this will take time and additional details to be worked out.
Lastly, I have a personal favor to ask. I have no right to do so, but it would mean a great deal. Would the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps come forward?” The General stands up from the VIP seats and looks at me. “Sir, on the way here I realized that we are living in historical times, like the Marines at the Battle of Chapultepec the Second Battle of Earth will be remembered as where the Legion earn its blood stripe. It is funny to me to realize that the United States Marine Corps was formed in a Tavern, and the Legion was born from a bar fight. Unfortunately, I was serving at the time, and that fight caused me to desert my post. Officially, I guess I should surrender to you, but I do not think I am ready to do that. However, I would request you honor my commission in the Legion and allow me to be discharged from the Corps.”
The Commandant smiled. “General Davis, I am not sure what the lawyers would say, but I think we could safely argue that your service, while not under orders, was well within the scope of your oath of enlistment and brought credit to the Naval Service. I would be honored to sign your discharge papers. At the same time, I will retire soon, do you think you may have a place for an old man?”
I shake his hand, turn to the crowd and wave, and walk away. On my way to the ship, I stop for a second and speak to a certain Spanish VIP and ask her is she would like to tour a space ship sometime when her schedule clears. She smiles and agrees, she teases me a little and says “I would tell you I will look at my schedule, but I bet Marvin has already studied it, and has my contact information. Call me when you are a little less worshipped” she motions toward the crowd and I see the humor in her eye. If I am not careful, I may have met my match.
I start for the ship and my team follows closely behind. We have a lot of work to do, and I have to speak to a young boy about two of the greatest people I ever met.
37
It did not take long for Prime Minister Renata Romero to transition from Spain to the Stars. She is a remarkable person, and I am not ashamed to say I quickly became infatuated. She hasn’t joined the legion, rather she has chosen to join the Planetary Militia. Legion training was not easy for her, and I would not dare try to interfere on her behalf, but on those times she can get free of her duties, we share memorable times talking about the future of humanity and exploring what we can learn from its past.
As much as I would like to spend time on my now existent romantic life, life in the Legion hasn’t slowed. If anything the freedom to act has made life even more hectic. I have to deal with the fact that now that the Barkun are not an immediate threat the governments of the world were not happy with my announcement of a new form of Government. When they said I did not have that authority, I reminded them of the harsh reality that; first, they had already surrendered to me, and second, I did not have to give Earth technology, or the ability to join the Republic of Planets. The Legion had millions of recruits, and no government could stop us from picking them up as we desired.
Indigenous peoples of all tribes flocked to become citizens in the Legion; the idea of a tribal planet was very attractive. Other groups did not like it, especially the Chinese, but I argued that no one else had negotiated such deals, and the Legion is legally obligated to fulfill our obligations. The idea of a technological advanced culture asking an indigenous people for help and then living up to the bargain was
unique to history. The fact that they were the only group the legion helped to colonize was a powerful testament to the value we placed with them. The tribes rewarded respect by volunteering to build and maintain their own strike group. The wanted their unit be called the Dog Soldiers, while history suggests that is a Cheyenne and not a Paiute term, their planet is named after a wolf so I have no problem with it. We don’t have any social justice warriors to tell a Native American tribe they are culturally appropriating from another Native American tribe.
I am open to other planet’s being colonized. However, I remind those that want to leave Earth to find new planets to colonize so they can be free to spread whatever intolerance they desire, whether it is a specific brand of religion, racial view, political ideology, or whatever bias without regard to the base ideas of respect and equality of opportunity that the Legion, outside of Earth, does not have to defend any planets not in the Republic. Besides, we have three planets to populate and colonize, that and the need to refit the Legion and maintain the Barkun occupation force means that no one on Earth will be cramped for space any time soon.
The vote to ratify the Republic was nearly unanimous on New Aubagne and McCall. It was closer on Tabuts, the tribes voting to join with a little over eighty-five percent approval. The Earth vote squeaked by at seventy-six percent on the nose. Many American Conservatives believed me to be soft on Communism for thanking the Chinese in my victory speech, and a lot of the Socialist Liberals in the United States felt the Articles were too religious. Personally, I get really tired of those that won’t take a stand and work to make life better. It’s just too easy for some to take a knee and snipe from the edges without putting skin in the game. Let them drink the hater-aide though, I have never waited for permission to do what was right. Sure I make mistakes, but I’d rather be judged on my actions than the personal bias of someone that isn’t anything but talk.
