“Then your operative feels that Alexander’s goals are warlike?” The Syraptose asked.
“Most definitely, this is why we’ve pursued this risky policy of anti-Alexander rhetoric with the President’s position.” The Hrang told them. “We also recognized this window of opportunity. Our operative is of the opinion that the military is firmly under Alexander’s control. The appointed Chief of Staff is subtly warning her, obviously at the direction of Alexander, concerning her harsh anti-Alexander rhetoric. Alexander has not had her replaced, as of yet, and why that is escapes our logic. Perhaps the position has a greater amount of importance to the populace than we imagine and Alexander is sensitive to that. Our operatives inform us that the Terrans have suffered through some indescribably vicious tyrants in the recent past. Alexander may very well be wary of the title “dictator," and is using the elected body of the Presidency to avert criticism. It is not working as he anticipated. He’s lost some of his control of the legislative and executive bodies he set up, but he is still firmly in control of the military. There is no possibility of changing that.
“We also have success to report on another avenue. Negotiations between the subjugated Scythians and the Terrans, as directed by the President, have successfully concluded in a stoppage of Scythian technical support. We don’t know how long this previous support lasted, nor how much the Terrans are capable of on their own. Some reports suggest that their fleet was built in little more than ten Galactic decants. That is patently impossible, as our friends the Seer’koh have correctly informed us. It is more likely that there was a flurry of modernization to prepare for the Chem. Be that as it may, however, we must conclude that the Humans are quite capable of supporting themselves. They have, however, lost the use of Scythian cargo fleets, which would obviously be advantageous to them. We wanted to prevent any coerced cooperation by the Scythians so our operative was ready to make singularly harsh demands. It was another risky venture, but fortunately the Scythian’s have refused to deal with anyone but Alexander, another facet of his true power. He is busy elsewhere, however, so nothing has been done.”
“Fascinating, the Hrang are to be commended,” the Seer’koh said. “One thing worries me; however, the President is in a very visible position. We all know of the excellence of the Hrang counterfeits, but what are the dangers of discovery for so prolonged and visible a replacement?”
“We estimate another nine Terran months, roughly thirty Galactic decants, before the physical strain is too great for the operative,” the Hrang said. “The most dangerous phase is the initial character impersonation in the first few days. That is happily past. There are some particular physical problems, swift changes in temperature for example, which are always a danger. Skin coloration and texture are susceptible to temperature changes. The operative must always be wary for such circumstances and minimize exposure to witnesses. Routine physical examinations, even using thorough equipment are not usually a problem. The implants are programmed with the correct physical attributes to pass on to the scanners. The chances that their medical equipment, which is of Scythian manufacture, should expose one of our people are remote in the extreme. Our people are severely trained, Ambassador. It is a dangerous business, but one which they know particularly well.”
“Excellent! That should give us an inside operative through the remainder of this campaign,” the Golkos said. “The situation in the Terran system is better than we’d hoped, and thus our chances for stopping this Alexander before he is a threat to us are greatly increased. Are we all in agreement then? Shall we give the order for a general massing of the fleets?” Every member of the assembly answered in the affirmative, and the Golkos smiled. “I would also suggest we set a date for a general declaration of war, and commencement of hostilities between the Alliance and the Terran Empire.”
“I propose the date of the Chem Ascension,” the Seer’koh suggested. “Hopefully Alexander will be conveniently unavailable to direct the defense of his own empire.”
“An insightful suggestion,” the Golkos replied amidst the agreement of the assembly. Then they adjourned in a much better, and more warlike, mood than they convened.
CHAPTER 15
Alexander was three days enroute to the border of Terran-Chem space. He had a meeting planned with Admiral Augesburcke the next day. Apparently the Australian anticipated Alexander’s call four days prior and was eager for a face to face meeting. The Admiral was agitated, but he would not clarify over the visiplate. Alexander, for his own part, did not wish to air his thoughts openly either. Therefore, in this new age of technology both men were forced to wait until they could be brought together. In the mean time Alexander continued his studies. Nazar gave him leave to study the Chem military dossiers of the ten Galactic cultures which now openly called themselves the Alliance. Nazar also gave Alexander access to Chem intercepts of Terran and Alliance communiqués. Alexander watched with interest their blunt refusal to any and all overtures of the Terran Federation. Without Alexander’s face behind them these overtures meant absolutely nothing to the Alliance. Alexander pitied poor President Sadat, at least initially. As he saw more and more of her his pity turned first to wonderment, and then to contempt. The woman didn’t know what she was doing, and worse, she wasn’t learning. President Sadat was flamboyantly anti-Alexander. She seemed to be somewhat obsessed with him, and as a result there was very little direction from the executive of Terra. At the emergence of another Galactic crisis this was causing considerable confusion and agitation in the Senate. Staunch opposition to the President was forming alongside staunch opposition of an absent Alexander, whom Sadat was painting as a plotting Caesar intent on absolute power; and all at a time when it looked as though the Alliance was about to declare war.
Alexander saw Nazar often in private, and the Chem was an overflowing cup of honest answers. They routinely ate together, which Alexander learned, was a Chem custom they reserved only for the very closest of friends and family. Nazar was quick to admit to Alexander that he already considered the Human as his brother-in-law. All that remained was the formality of Alexander’s killing of Bureel. On that subject Nazar was more certain of Alexander’s victory than Alexander. The man only smiled at the Chem’s visualizations of the future combat. Alexander was confident that he could defeat Bureel in a fair fight. The concept of a fair fight, however, was as alien to Bureel as Alexander’s desire for dictatorship. Anything could happen. He familiarized himself with Chem weaponry, especially those of small and concealable nature. If Bureel was forced to fight him it would occur in the open, before his supporters in the Assemblage. If the Chem sunk to devious methods he would at least use traditional Chem means. An act with an ancient and accepted weapon could be justified under such circumstances and even condoned if one of the Chem’s many heroes had used the trick effectively.
Alexander discussed the possible duel with Nazar many times, but today his questions were pointed, and they considered the possibility of his failure. “Nazar, if Bureel ascends to the seat of the Elder and then declares war on the Terran Federation what will happen to the loyalists?”
“Nazeera and I shall obviously be dead, as will you.” Nazar pointed out. “Support for our cause will dissolve. With an ongoing war with an alien race, excuse the expression, whether it is a popular war or not, all differences between Chem factions will be forgotten. The war would be pursued with typical Chem exuberance, though not with any immediacy. The Chem Armada, as we have known it, has basically ceased to exist. The skeleton of our ancient armada will do no more than provide a basis for a new one. Construction of new armada will be the first order of business in Bureel’s Chem, and though it shall be some time before it is ready to sail, sail it will. The Chem can become quite single minded about such things. I know that is not what you wanted to hear.”
“Not at all, my friend,” Alexander smiled. “Sugar coated lies are deadlier in the end than hard truths. I had already guessed that was Bureel’s reasoning. It will cement his po
wer. I congratulate him on a wise course of action. When you consider it, especially adding to it the threat of the Alliance against Terra, it is also the swiftest way back to the status quo. No more troublesome Terran Empire and Bureel will have a singular subject to base his power on. It is the Alliance I wonder about, though. They are certainly not as bold as the Chem. You were willing to attack the Terrans with only scanty information on who and what you faced. I don’t see such single minded courage or direction in the leaders of the Alliance. I see their defiance as more bluster than desire. They are not so sure of themselves. They must know, somehow, more about Terrans as a threat. How would they go about gaining such information, aside from the expected listening and watching that we all do?”
“Hrang spies,” Nazar told him without hesitation. “Those people have a damnable talent for mimicry, though they are hardly warlike in nature. They use it as more of a self-defense, but they are quite good at it. I would have a difficult time trying to tell whether you were a Hrang spy. Their artificial implants amplify their natural ability to change the tone and texture of their flesh. They are quite convincing.”
“What about internal structure?” Alexander asked. “Certainly they have no such control over their organs or skeletal structure.”
“True, but the implants have a dual purpose. They are programmed to react to scans,” Nazar said. “Short of cutting someone open it would be very difficult to tell.”
“I assume it’s not impossible,” Alexander said. “If you suspected me of being a Hrang spy how would you test your theory?”
“I would subject them to a sudden change in temperature,” Nazar told him, “but you, as a Hrang spy would take care to avoid such a situation. Sudden changes in temperature affect their skin color and texture too quickly for them to react. A Hrang will invariably find a way to avoid such a test. They are quite careful.”
“You said they can fool scanners,” Alexander noted. “What about x-rays? They don’t scan, they radiate on photographic film.”
“Why would you use radiation on a sentient being; pardon me but that sounds extraordinarily dangerous. I can’t even think what you would use such a thing for,” Nazar said truthfully.
“Really, that is heartening,” Alexander smiled, and then he explained what an x-ray machine was used for on Terra, with extremely low doses of radiation. Nazar was surprised, and reiterated that he couldn’t even guess when, if at all, such a technique had ever been used in the known galaxy. Alexander thanked him for the information. He now knew why the Alliance could appear so cocky in their responses to the Terran threat which had just backed down the vaunted Chem. Terra was extremely susceptible to spies, especially ones with the skill of the Hrang. He had no doubt that the Terran government was inundated with them, and that every Terran move would be well guessed at in advance. This made his meeting with Augesburcke all that much more vital.
The discussion explained the Alliance to him, but the toughest problem was still one of Terran making. Much like the Terra’s early twenty-first century appeasement of Islam led to emboldened terrorists and jihadists so too did President Sadat’s molly coddling of the Alliance lead to their warlike overtures. What was the President’s game? President Sadat, for whatever reason, was precipitating Terra towards another war, and splintering Terran unity at the same time. Alexander was immediately suspicious, but his firsthand knowledge of the Human potential for selfishness and incompetence tempered his judgment. Whatever the President’s game, she forced Alexander to assert himself, and that could only lead to a coup, which was not what he wanted to have happen.
Alexander went to sleep that night knowing that once again opportunity was coming his way, but this time there seemed to be no painless avenue. The showdown with the Chem occurred without bloodshed. This time there would be no such option, and indeed he feared that terrible things had already happened to an unsuspecting Human race.
The following day the Kun-Gha, Nazar’s battleship, and its squadron pulled alongside the Iowa and her squadron. Shortly thereafter Alexander, Nazar and several of Nazar’s officer’s flew over in a shuttle. The Iowa had part of her aft smokestack converted into a shuttle tower. The shuttles actually flew into the smokestack which was rather disconcerting to Alexander. He hid it well though, and instead enjoyed the fascination of his Chem allies in seeing the mighty Iowa up close and personal.
Chem warships were built along Galactic standard adopted thousands of years before civilization sprouted on Terra. They were long shark-like vessels with blaster projectors and laser turrets built into lateral trenches. Tubes for matter-anti-matter torpedoes lurked on the undersides and within the flank trenches. The sublight engines were built into the aft structure while the superluminal engines ran on graceful pods alongside the hull. They were elegant vessels. The Chem had a flair for fantastic architecture’s on their planet bound buildings, and this carried over into their starships. The ships were ornamented to a state of magnificence which many of the other cultures copied, but none mastered. The Chem warships were also unique in their coloration; geometric splashes of metallic purple, red, blue, gold and silver distinguished each ship in color as well as name.
The Terran vessels, by contrast, carried no beauty with them apart from their strict practicality. That practicality was meant for the deep blue water oceans of Earth and not the cold trackless void of space. The Chem were familiar with the unorthodox Terran design, but only remotely. As their shuttle pulled alongside the Iowa they were greeted with a close up inspection of the Terran flagship. In length the battleship was the equal to any in the known galaxy, but in volume only a Scythian freighter outclassed it. The main hull was close to the depth and breadth of the Galactic counterpart, but the superstructures and the massive turrets made the difference. Alexander was an interested bystander as the Chem warriors discussed the odd Terran vessel. The rotating weapons, especially the main blaster batteries impressed them. The asymmetry of the ships they found inexplicably odd and menacing. They assumed it proved advantageous in battle, therefore, and since Alexander would not discuss the subject voluntarily it was impolite to pursue it further. The Chem were all in agreement on one thing, the very look and feel of these ships was intimidating. They were impressed.
A sliding hanger door opened within the aft stack revealing a lighted landing bay. The Chem pilot expertly guided the shuttle to a lighted circle and gently set it down. The occupants then listened to the clang of the hanger doors and the rumble of air as the bay pressurized. After a moment the Chem’s panel registered the air as pressurized and heated. The Chem opened the hatch and extended their gangway. Alexander, as prompted by Nazar, was the first to exit. Admiral Augesburcke stood at the bottom of the gangway flanked by Captain Thomas, Admiral Sampson and Admiral Chennebruk. Behind them and to either side were two rows of sailors in their dress whites. The first thing Alexander noticed was the seeming bulkiness of the uniforms. The navy dress whites were followed for form, but after initial inspection Alexander recognized that they were actually fully functional, but markedly compact, space suits. The uniforms of the officer’s were similar. Alexander couldn’t help but smile at the progress. Humans were adapting.
The age old naval tradition of being piped aboard was strictly followed, and then Admiral Augesburcke struck his chest with his fist and bellowed, “Hail Alexander!” The Roman salute was repeated by the sailors. Alexander remained impassive. He expected some kind of display, and though he personally thought it unnecessary he gave no such indication to his Chem guests.
“Good to see you again Admiral, Captain Thomas,” Alexander smiled and extended his hand.
“You honor us, Alexander,” the Admiral replied formally, and he took the hand warmly. The Captain followed suit.
Alexander then introduced the Chem. “Admiral, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to introduce to you Nazar of the Chem Assemblage, a noble warrior and admirable dignitary, and his officers.”
The Chem bowed and recognized their hosts.
After pleasantries were exchanged, including an introduction of his two Admirals, Augesburcke motioned for Alexander to follow him out of the hanger. Alexander fell into stride alongside the Admiral and the sailors snapped to attention. The severity of the sailor’s expressions impressed Alexander. He was a former military officer and understood the subtleties of ritual from the soldier’s point of view. A soldier stood at attention for a superior regardless of their personal views. It was merely a requirement of etiquette not a valuation of worth. The eyes and the expression revealed whatever personal regard the soldier had for the officer. The difference between disdain and respect was invisible in a formation, but enormous when studying the individual. Soldiers, on the whole, hated formations such as this. It was pure ceremony and no substance. It was one of the innumerable petty rituals which seemingly bore no purpose. An underlying current of irritation and impatience normally hung over these occasions like a pall.
The mood of the sailors in the hanger was different, however, and this was not lost on Alexander. There was uniformity in them that surprised him. Eyes followed him. He dared not guess their meaning, simple curiosity perhaps, but he was relieved somehow that it was not malicious or contemptible in nature.
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 45
