HADRON Resurgent

by Stephen Arseneault

  Jasper nodded. “Or something. They implanted a holo-image generator in there. Check this out.”

  Jasper pressed several buttons on his arm pad and the flat skull image projected outward.

  Johnny leaned in for a better look. “Wow. That looks like it’s actually part of the suit.”

  Jasper grinned. “Yep. And I’m going to have them cover this suit with those holo-projectors. I have a handful of Targarian artists working on 3D images to add. I could easily make myself look twice as large. Or make it look like I’m carrying an abundance of weapons, or generally anything I want. Imagine those little Mawga rats seeing a suit covered in little rat skulls coming down a hallway at them. You think they turn and run from the big Humans? I’ll have them screaming in terror.”

  Johnny shook his head. “I want to laugh, but this all actually sounds very cool. When you gonna have your people build me one of these suits?”

  Jasper asked, “You want one?”

  Johnny replied, “Well, sure.”

  Jasper laughed. “Well, how’s it feel to want, ape-man?”

  Johnny sighed. “I should have seen that coming. Seriously, though, I’d be interested in one of these suits with the projectors. Maybe we could see who could come up with the most intimidating holo-image surrounding them?”

  Jasper took a deep breath as he thought. “I guess that could be fun. And what good are toys if you can’t share them every once in a while? If you’ll each send over your specs, I’ll have my peeps put together one of these suits for you, but it can’t be black. You Humans need to pick another color. Black is for the Targarian King only.”

  An additional two weeks saw a return to Canto. There, waiting, were the dozen domain reflectors Frado Knuttin had promised. A second jump to Divinia had them in the hands of Jasper’s engineers. The Revelation was the first to receive the new units. The first trial saw a twelve-fold increase in damage to a target drone over the damage done by the cannon on the Rogers. The drone had been covered with a dampening field of equal strength to the maximum attained on the ships.

  Johnny said, “Wow, that not only penetrated, it melted through four decks’ equivalent of structure.”

  Jeff said, “We’ll have to limit it to three-second bursts. We can’t keep the emission tip cool enough for continuous fire at that power. You get a three-second burst followed by a ten-second cool down. We’ll have to solve that issue if we want a longer duration or higher frequency.”

  Mace asked, “We have enough room on the Rogers for more of those klystrons?”

  Jeff rubbed his chin in thought. “Not without taking over one of our docking bays. We’ve been using two and four for storage. If we take one, it cuts our food rations down by a third. We’re talking being down to sixty days from our current ninety.”

  Johnny said, “Ninety? I thought we were up over a hundred.”

  Jeff replied, “We lost the extra last time we added reactors.”

  Another trip was made to the colony at Canto. A second trade for reactors was made, with another thirty units being swapped. The emitter heating problem was solved by using a series of rotating tips. After each firing, a cool tip was moved into place, allowing a three-second interval between rounds. With a further upgrade to the Rogers, the Human–Targarian fleet was becoming a force to be reckoned with.

  Chapter 3

  *

  With the stabilizing factor of the Targarian fleet available for the defense of Earth, the citizens began to slowly migrate away from the community centers. After a summer of expansion, a fall harvest told of the much-reduced dependence on the Mawga nutrition bars. It was hoped the following year would bring enough food to meet all needs. There was potential for sustained growth. Earth was coming back to life.

  The members of the broken Galactic Union continued to build their fleets at an ever-increasing pace. The Quelli and the Zinka were allowed to pay fines, particularly in the form of needed resources, for their re-admittance to the Union. The Targarians remained separate.

  All Union ships were receiving the transducer and cannon upgrades. If the Karthians returned with a similar fleet, the Union members would be in a much better position to defend. The Union focus on Earth had changed, leaving Humans to rebuild their farms and factories.

  Mace sat on the porch steps with the others. “I was thinking, other than Jasper’s fleet, we should have some kind of ground-based weapons. If the Karthians come and they defeat the Union, where does that leave us? Totally defenseless.”

  Jane said, “Other than ships, what do we have? We can make the nuke ships, but they can be defeated. Could we build microwave weapons? Would the atmosphere make them useless?”

  Jeff replied, “A ground system based on the microwave weapons might be worthwhile to explore. I would suggest we attempt to build a prototype. I would also suggest we might do well to build a small space-based system. Something we could put multiples of in high orbit.”

  Mace said, “Tell me what you need for one of each and I’ll attempt the trade with Mr. Knuttin. Jasper? You willing to provide the reactors to power these systems?”

  Jasper nodded. “As many as you’d like. My factories can turn out thirty per day if needed. Will take a few weeks to ramp up, but that rate should be sustainable afterward.”

  Johnny said, “You know what would be nice? If we could build something like that UF warstation.”

  Jane said, “For what purpose?”

  Johnny replied, “For defense. Circle the globe with six or eight of those and nobody could touch us.”

  Jane shook her head. “Well, yeah, that would be nice, but we don’t have the manufacturing capability to take on anything of that scale.”

  Johnny shrugged. “So we build it.”

  Jasper said, “That might not be a bad idea for my people to take on. We could load a station like that with super powerful microwave cannons, plop it in orbit and not have to worry about our factories anymore. My spies tell me the Zinka are sniffing around… looking for vulnerabilities. They think they may have missed a golden opportunity to take over the Union along with the Quelli. Had they made the effort, I don’t think we could have prevented it.”

  Jasper stopped rocking in his chair and opened a comm. “Commodore, I’ll be sending you a few ideas over the coming days. Have your teams kick them around and see what you can come up with.”

  The commodore bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  The comm closed.

  Jasper smiled. “It’s good to be the king.”

  A trip was made to the Canto colony, where several tons of newly harvested spices from Earth were traded for another dozen domain reflectors. Jasper’s factories supplied the reactors. The team was ready to select a site.

  Jeff pointed at a map. “Right here. Spruce Knob. It’s the highest peak in West Virginia. We use the Rogers to clear off the very top, build a building, and put together our first ground-based microwave cannon. There’s a road that goes all the way to the top. It’s a three hour drive from here, but only a few minutes by ship. From that location, we can cover from Norfolk up to Philadelphia, up and over to Cleveland, down to Cincinnati, down to Knoxville and back to Charlotte. Maybe four hundred miles in every direction. Once built, we put it through the paces. Test out every scenario we can throw at it.”

  Johnny asked, “How we gonna man this thing?”

  Mace replied, “If it works, we can turn it over to our government to operate.”

  Johnny chuckled, “And you trust them to not shoot us down every time we come and go?”

  Jeff nodded. “We could add programming to disable it if we’re in the line of fire. We don’t have to tell the operators about it.”

  Jasper said, “That would include my ships as well.”

  Jeff smiled. “Of course. And our own Human fleet.”

  In the days that followed, the site was cleared and the resources gathered. Jasper supplied labor in the form of several thousand Targarian builders, engineers, mechanics, and gen
eral laborers. Plans were followed and the first ground-based microwave cannon on Earth was pieced together. As an experiment, two sets of waveguide rings were constructed. Reactors were put in place and the site powered up.

  Mace stood at the base of the emitter tower. “Three weeks. Amazing what can be done when you have the plans and the resources.”

  Jeff replied, “Construction-wise, we weren’t building anything complex. A building to house the klystrons, the rings running around the perimeter, and this emitter tower. Now we just have to test it.”

  Jeff sat at a console. The klystrons were switched on and the power in the rings began to build. After only seconds, the weapon was ready to fire.

  Mace said, “That’s it? From power on we’re ready to fire that fast?”

  Jeff nodded. “Only need a few seconds to saturate those waveguides. Jasper’s team was able to build several drones for our tests. We should have a good idea of what to expect once the site is in service.”

  Coordinates were given to a drone. After lifting off, it hovered at two kilometers altitude, half a kilometer south of the site. Jeff took aim and pressed a button. A three second hum could be heard coming from the emitter tower. The drone sparked and burst into flames before falling the two kilometers to the ground.

  Jeff smiled. “We have a hit! Give me a few seconds to collate the data and we’ll have our results.”

  Jasper said, “One shot brought it down. That’s a good sign.”

  Mace came over the comm. “Had to extinguish a small fire here. I have it in the grapple. Looks like we burned a hole all the way through it. I’ll have it up there in a few seconds.”

  Jeff pushed the data to his arm pad. The three walked out to meet Mace. The shuttle gently set the still-smoldering drone on the ground.

  Johnny asked, “Are we sure we had the transducers on?”

  Jeff nodded. “Data says they were. Look here. It burned through six plates the thickness of standard walls and one bulkhead. Sensors say a second bulkhead would have stopped it. But gentlemen, I would have to say this was a resounding success. We hit one of these ships with a three second beam and it’ll be burning inside almost instantaneously. Temperatures reached twelve hundred degrees on that center plate.”

  Johnny smiled. “That’s it, then. We have our defensive weapon.”

  Jeff cautioned: “Before we go all crazy with our joy, unless we strike something vital, a single shot from this cannon will not bring down a ship. There’s nothing explosive to this. It’s basically just a heat ray. We can poke holes in a hull, but unless we hit something like a reactor, we aren’t stopping one of those cruisers, let alone one of the bigger ships. What we have here is more of a deterrent.”

  Mace said, “Nevertheless, a hundred of these stations could cover the globe, and a thousand could keep just about anything out of the atmosphere.”

  Jeff nodded. “I’m not saying it isn’t worthwhile. It’s a major step in the right direction. However, we should also be looking for ways to complement it. And this was only a two kilometer test. What happens at a hundred kilometers? Or ten thousand kilometers?”

  Johnny replied, “We have more drones. Let’s put them to use.”

  Mace asked, “What’s the risk with the longer distances?”

  Jeff pulled up an image above his arm pad. “The beam will naturally be attenuated in atmosphere. Is it powerful enough to do similar damage from here once it reaches high orbit? I don’t know.”

  A second drone was sent up to a thousand kilometers. Data showed a 20 percent loss of effectiveness. A third test at ten thousand kilometers revealed continued loss. Beam spread was taking its toll. At fifty thousand kilometers, fired from the ground, the weapon would only moderately heat an outer hull.

  Jeff looked up from his console. “I think we have our answers. The system works, but ideally we’ll want space-based systems as well. If my calculations are correct, that setup, in space, should protect us out to a million kilometers. The next million kilometers going out will become a gray zone where we might be able to cause damage, but so might they.”

  Jasper nodded. “I’ll have my teams coordinate with you on an optimum space-based design. I’m assuming we’ll want it manned? So it’ll need an environment that will sustain a Human for long periods of time.”

  Johnny said, “It will need a space dock so crews and supplies can be swapped out.”

  “Can you give a quick estimate of how many we’ll need to build to cover the globe?”

  Jeff nodded. “One moment. Let’s say we set them at five thousand kilometers. And we want at least ten units to be able to strike any target. And let’s say we want coverage of five simultaneous targets. That leaves… one hundred forty-four space-based stations. So I would recommend we start with a goal of double that.”

  Mace took a deep breath. “OK. I’d say I have some trading to do with Mr. Knuttin. We’re talking nearly two thousand of those domain reflectors. He seemed a little hesitant about delivering any more. Said his inventories were running low and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get the resources needed to manufacture new ones. I hope we haven’t overdrawn on his goodwill already.”

  Jeff said, “If he’s restricted by the UF, maybe we can talk him into building a factory for those here? We’re potentially talking about tens of thousands of units when you take in the Targarian worlds.”

  Jasper nodded. “I was thinking along the same lines.”

  Mace replied, “Even though these are commercial-grade components, they can still be used as weapons. His government may not want that technology released from UF space.”

  Johnny said, “If there’s profit in it, they’ll release it.”

  Mace sighed. “Either way, we should prep for another trip out to Canto.”

  The testing of the microwave weapon continued as the Rogers and Gerty moved into high orbit and then out into free space. A wormhole to Canto was opened and the ships slipped through. After a two-week wait, Frado Knuttin paid a visit to his colonies.

  Mace stood as Frado entered the room. “Mr. Knuttin, it’s good to see you.”

  Frado replied, “Mr. Hardy. As much as I would like to, I can’t possibly fulfill the numbers you are asking for. Two thousand units? What are you doing with those? I have no issue with you using them to defend a ship or two, but I’m not an arms dealer, and my government would frown heavily on any additional sales.”

  Mace replied, “I’ll tell you what we’re doing. We want to build enough small defensive stations to surround our planet. We don’t have a fleet of our own for defense. Nor do we have the factories, or much of any industry really, that’s needed to produce ships. Your own people are focused on building up your defenses. There must be a reason for that. An external threat like the pirates you’ve spoken of? Well, we have the same. We aren’t looking to attack or to dominate anyone. We only need to defend ourselves. These reflectors are vital.”

  Frado slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hardy. There really is nothing I can do. My production is booked up for months. New resources are impossible to get, and if acquired have to be turned over to our defense industry first… until our defense goals are met. I am powerless to make adjustments.”

  Mace asked, “What about on Earth? Could you build a factory there? We could staff it and produce all the raw materials you need.”

  Frado winced. “I’m afraid our government has strict rules when it come to technology distribution. I received permission to sell you the units I did. I can’t ask to build a factory on your world to produce a technology that could be used as a weapon.”

  Mace spread his hands. “How about right here? Could you build a factory here? Again, we could supply you with raw materials, reactors, and labor if needed. You want to establish and grow these colonies? Give them something to build and export. As part of any deal, we would even produce stations you could use to defend this colony. Please, Mr. Knuttin, we are desperate to protect our world now while we have a moment of p
eace. The Karthians I told you about before, we believe they will be returning in as little as a year.”

  Before Frado could reply, Mace said, “I will add one further thought. Our scientists and engineers are working to reverse-engineer the reflectors. If they find a solution, you and your corporation will be completely cut out of any production, any trade, and any profits to be made. Now, it’s true it may take us years to reverse-engineer that technology, but it will happen. However, I’d rather have them sooner, and I would much rather send any profits to be had from it to you.”

  Frado rubbed his chin in thought. “I suppose it would be possible to build a factory here, so long as I don’t take any resources from UF territory to build it. It would require the approval from my government … but that permission is something I believe I could attain.”

  Frado looked up and smiled. “Mr. Hardy, this will take several weeks to work through the proper channels. If approval is given, we can discuss the requirements for building and staffing such a facility. Can you give me say… three weeks?”

  Mace replied, “How about this: could you provide us with plans and lists of what you would need? Excluding the technology itself, of course. That will give us a head start on bringing together the pieces of this effort that will have to be done regardless. We can select a location, break ground, lay foundations, even construct the buildings needed. I want to be up and producing these as soon as possible. And if the plans fall through, we’ll leave you with the facilities to do with as you wish.”

  Frado tilted his head to one side. “Hmm. I find this discussion interesting. I have the backing of a major corporation, and everything I do has costs associated with it. You, on the other hand, seem to not have issue with that. Why is that?”

  Mace replied, “We’re… or at least one of us is, in control of an empire. He’s the king. He can order up whatever he wants. Back on our planet, we are in with the government. We pretty much tell them what we’re doing and they nod their heads. Those conditions could change quickly for us, though, so I’d like to get all this underway before any such change hinders us.”