“How can I be certain that my nation will be spared?” wondered the King suddenly. “A nuclear annihilation of the type you are planning has the potential to destroy every nation on Earth, not just the ones in which you stir up a hornet’s nest.”
“Most of your plutocrats and soldiers will be underground, in this complex, with us. The remainder of your people, those who chose not to join the Brotherhood, will act as guinea pigs. They will assist us in measuring the fallout from the coming war.” Hobak spoke with clear, unbridled confidence on the subject. “We have learned a lot from our long-term, intensive studies and genetic manipulation of clones. In this particular field of medicine, we have enough skills, along with a large supply of anti-radiation medication, to take care of your nation. After all, your cooperation has purchased your country a front row ticket in the new world order.”
“Our intelligence is very accurate and detailed,” continued Durgon almost dismissively. “It clearly shows that you are no concern to the larger nations. Those with nuclear weapons will target other nations with nuclear weapons… Ghuitan has very little to worry about. Your country is still mostly impoverished and weak in the eyes of the Western world. Of course, they will help you, but only if you support their world view and have the patience to wait years for their political process to play out.”
Gyilto was still not completely convinced. “I have doubts in particular about your ability to take on America,” he admitted. “Your Brotherhood has proven itself to be very strong indeed, but no one ever seems able to break through their defenses. How can you guarantee that they too will be implicated and caught up in this sudden war?” For the first time, he detected a distinct expression of distaste and growing anger in Hobak’s expression. The King immediately regretted asking the question. He had gotten away with a lot, thus far, but clearly the audience they had granted him was limited. How long does it take for YOUR political process to play out? He wondered silently to himself.
“You need to relax, your Majesty, and return to running your plucky Constitutional Monarchy,” suggested Valiana with an alluring smile. “It is true that the United States has the best of the best, in terms of technology. But we have acquired key codes to some of their missile sites. These admittedly cannot normally be used to activate missiles without the direct approval of their President. However, once bombs begin to detonate within their borders, the U.S. military alert system will automatically escalate their defensive status and our codes will become active. America will also participate in the destruction of the nations that fire on them. In the wake of such a global annihilation, no one will be able to remember, or prove, specifically who fired the first shot. All of the major nations currently running this planet will be reduced to rubble, and then we will control the rebuilding process using the people, wealth and technological resources that we have… acquired.”
The King studied her disinterested manner for a moment before rising to his feet. “So what you’re basically telling me,” he concluded. “Is not to worry about the things I can’t control.”
Valiana nodded in response. “Rest assured, your Majesty, the Brotherhood controls the outcome. It will take years for the larger nations to reorganize and rebuild. By the time they do, those loyal to us will have the upper hand. It is regrettable that they wield so much power in such an irresponsible manner, because the only way to stop them is to knock everyone down equally. Once the larger nations are no longer the biggest bullies on the block, the way will be paved for leaders like you to step forward.”
The entire room fell silent for a moment, and Gyilto used the time to silently analyze her statements carefully. “How soon will this... leveling of the playing field… take place?” he asked curiously.
Durgon flashed a razor edged smile. “If I were you, I would return to the upper levels but remain within this complex,” he suggested, laughing darkly at his own words. “The end is finally upon us all.”
Sensing instinctively that their patience with him was wearing thin, the King rose to his feet, nodded with respect in the general direction of the Triumvirate before returning quietly to the large metal door at the rear of the cavern. Silently, the two guards waiting outside escorted him back down the corridor in the direction of the elevator that would return him to the top levels of the compound.
They’re not kidding, Drik Gyilto thought silently. They’re going to initiate a nuclear war!
* * * * *
After the King of Ghuitan was gone, Hobak took a few minutes to dismiss the dozens of clones that had been seated in front of the stage. “Return to your posts,” he urged them. “Keep alert and watchful over the next few hours. If any of our many enemies suspects that anything is out of the ordinary, our undercover operatives will detect any planned counter offensive and report in. Be ready for this… be ready and be strong!” He clenched the fingers of his right hand into a tight fist and then held out the entire arm in the traditional salute.
All of those assembled before him returned it without hesitation. “Be ready and be strong!” they shouted back. Then, in an orderly manner, they formed two slowly moving lines and filed back out into the corridor.
When they were gone and only the Triumvirate remained, Durgon cast a wary gaze in the direction of Valiana. “Gyilto is correct about the United States,” he pointed out to her. “Their nuclear launch codes, in particular, are heavily encrypted and subject to extremely tight protocol. We may not be able to initiate launches from here.”
“It does not matter my friend,” replied Hobak reassuringly. “We have stirred up such paranoia within the Chinese government regarding America, that they will almost certainly target the U.S. first. Once enough missiles begin to explode within their borders, you can bet that their President will order a counter-attack. He would be a fool not to. The smaller nuclear powers will join in as soon as they recognize that they too are targets – our control over facilities in India and Pakistan will fire on them and almost certainly send the final dominoes toppling.” His expression soured, and he glanced down at the empty desktop in front of him before shooting an angry glance in Valiana’s direction.
“It is not our fault that this is happening earlier than we anticipated,” she insisted defiantly, sensing his outrage. “There will be a new American President soon, and regardless of who wins the election, their new leader will undoubtedly begin to increase the armaments on merchant vessels traveling throughout the solar system.”
“The victor will also increase their military presence in outer space,” Durgon predicted. “We have stolen too much from civilian vessels over the past few years. America as a whole might be in steep decline, but their military is well-known to protect the weak and defenseless. Here on Earth we will immediately dominate, but it will take time for our starships to hunt down their space-borne defenses and eliminate all capital ships.”
“That isn’t what bothers me,” Hobak decided with a deep frown. “What bothers me is Cassiopeia, the secret project the Americans have had in development for more than a decade. They have an entirely new form of Point-to-Point wormhole engine design under construction at their base on the moon. Everyone who is officially asked will publically deny it, but I know that it’s up there.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched, pondering the matter a bit further. “I don’t like it at all, because Cassiopeia is the project that is forcing us to act earlier than planned. All our work could be for naught if they get that new system operational before we’re ready.”
Valiana shook her head. “All of my contacts in the U.S. have claimed that the Americans are still more than a year away from bringing anything substantive on-line,” she told him sternly. “In the meantime they will have to rely upon standard Point-to-Point transit like every other space-faring nation.”
“The reports from your contacts are probably one hundred percent accurate,” acknowledged Hobak, although his mood remained restive. “That’s the problem. When the Americans have such tight control over a project on th
e moon, it is easy for them to shut off information leaks. The people up there,” he paused long enough to jerk a thumb toward the ceiling, “are probably feeding the population down here whatever propaganda that they choose to. After all, didn’t they originally say they were trying to mine some sort of new ore? I now know that troublesome rumor to be false. I also know they have an underground complex despite claims to the contrary.”
Taking a deep breath, Valiana noted that her words failed to reassure him. Nevertheless she persisted. “Even if the Americans manage to extend the range of PTP transit beyond our solar system, where would such a ship go? To date, there is still no tangible evidence of alien life beyond this planet.”
“It is not their flashy new transit drive that concerns me,” concluded Hobak with a restless sigh. “I am worried more about the fundamentally new type of power source that they must be developing in order to power it. Such an energy source could easily be adapted for use in powering weaponry, and that would not bode well for us. It could ruin everything, in fact.” The three of them fell silent for a few minutes, deep in thought. Finally, Hobak looked toward Valiana as a sudden thought struck him. “Were you successful with your assignment to plant an operative in that moon colony?” he inquired.
Her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment, Valiana shook her head in response. “Their screening of applicants for the science team is much too tight, even for us. Three years ago we had a strong possibility in the making, but she was unfortunately rejected.” The beautiful brunette shrugged helplessly. “It’s a bottleneck up there… they don’t need people that often, and when they do they tend to select the best of the best.”
Hobak’s frown deepened. “I don’t LIKE not KNOWING what is going on up there!” he thundered suddenly, his deep voice reverberating loudly throughout the huge chamber. He rose to his feet so quickly that his chair fell over with a loud clatter as it skittered across the wooden stage floor. Turning toward Valiana, his face reddened. “It was you who was tasked with placing an operative there…”
Also rising to his feet, Durgon stepped protectively in front of Valiana and raised a reassuring hand toward Hobak. “Relax,” he stated calmly but surely. “There are always other options that we have considered. The Cassiopeia moon base also requires a great deal of skilled labor, and that is the expertise of my cloning line. Thus far it is at a low level clearance only, but we do have an undercover agent working there.”
The news calmed Hobak considerably. He took several deep breaths to soothe his fierce temper, then picked up his overturned chair and reseated himself. “Has this operative, perchance, checked in recently in order to keep our intelligence up to date?”
“He has,” nodded Durgon with a satisfied smile. “The information he transmitted several weeks ago matches the reports from Valiana’s people. He stated very clearly that the Americans are at least a year or more away from full development of their new engine system.”
“Good,” said Hobak approvingly. “Then we may proceed with our war.”
THE PATHFINDER PROJECT
Chapter I: Armageddon
He was on the moon’s surface when the first reports began trickling in. Once again he had decided to take the time for a personal recon hike to look for the best spot to land the Pathfinder. At first the crackle of his helmet transceiver annoyed him slightly, until he heard the tone of voice on the other end.
“Denny… I mean, Captain Kaufield?” The voice was faint but filled with strong emotion.
“This is Kaufield,” Dennis responded, stopping to rest against the dusty side of a small lunar hill. “What’s the problem, Mary? You sound stressed.” He chuckled a little bit while adjusting the O2 setting on his standard-issue flight suit. “I know the revised schedule moves our next test up two weeks, but I’m sure we’ll get the work done in plenty of time. We always do.”
“It’s not that, sir,” his communications specialist responded. “You’re not going to believe this. We’re receiving reports of at least three nuclear detonations on Earth!”
“What?” Kaufield asked with surprise. “Are you certain? Who is responsible?”
“At this point no one knows, sir. New reports are coming in… dozens of explosions. The news feeds I’m listening to are calling it an all-out attack!”
Kaufield stood, stunned, for a moment. His eyes were still surveying the lunar surface, but his thoughts were racing wildly. “I’m on my way back,” he decided suddenly. “Have the base go to full alert, and post armed guards around the Pathfinder.” A sudden rush of anger caused him to take too large of a step and he stumbled, landing awkwardly on his back. “Damned low gravity environments,” he growled, leaping to his feet. “And damn whoever is behind this. Almost a century of peace and NOW the world decides to go insane.” He ran as fast as the moon’s conditions allowed, kicking up clouds of dust in his wake that would take some time to settle.
“It’s confirmed sir,” Mary’s voice crackled a bit from static, but cleared almost immediately. “At least five nations are involved, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan… and the United States! We’re retaliating in what appears to be the beginning of a huge global conflict!”
“May God help us!” he stated, adjusting his transmitter frequency as fast as his gloved fingers would allow. “Attention all base personnel, I repeat, attention all base personnel. This is Captain Dennis Kaufield. At this time I am ordering an immediate suspension of all incoming and outgoing ship launches. If there’s anybody in the air get on the comm system and order them back. After that, initiate a communications blackout and shut down all non-essential systems base wide.”
“Captain, this is Thomas cutting in,” said a new voice in his ear. “We’ve got several seriously critical tests in progress on the Pathfinder’s CAS upgrade. I don’t think you want…”
“Shut everything down, dammit!” Kaufield repeated. “If there are hostile vessels in the area – and you can bet there are – then they’ll be coming here too. I don’t want bulls-eyes painted on the key areas of our complex when they get here.”
He reached the base of one of the larger hills. A massive niche was carved in its side with a hatchway located in the center. Kaufield quickly activated the door’s entry mechanism and stepped into an airlock. “I’m in,” he said, waiting impatiently for oxygen to flood the inner compartment. “I’ll be up in Central Operations momentarily.”
* * * * *
Khyber Base was only ten years old but built to last, even on the moon. Kaufield had been stationed here for seven of those years, insuring that the larger Cassiopeia Project directing construction of the Pathfinder stayed on schedule. Most of the specific details were just a dream when he was a kid, but now – at age 39 – the revolutionary new science vessel had become his one and only focus in life. He had been lucky, because his father had always supported his decision and admired his determination to get to space.
Until now, the best part was that the brand new ship was almost ready for testing!
He cussed again as he ran through the corridors of the base, descending gradually into its underground labyrinth. Just a few more weeks, and all they would have left to correct were the minor glitches. That’s what frustrated him the most at the moment – the fact that the “bells and whistles” stage of the project was so close at hand. No longer limited by the moon’s low gravity, Kaufield blew through the nearest door to the Operations Center at a full sprint.
“Take a look at this, sir,” Lieutenant Mary Hastings reported quietly, without looking up. Her short, brunette hairstyle always caught him by surprise. She was a very pretty woman but chose to look professional first, especially while on duty. That was the way she always did her job, too.
On the main monitors at the center of the room were various pictures of Earth’s continents, fed to them from orbital communications satellites. Massive glowing explosions covered most of them, with additional new blast points sprouting up as quickly as the others began to fade.
&n
bsp; “God forgive!” someone across the room said in astonishment. Several of the technicians next to her were in tears, and there wasn’t a member of the crew who didn’t look shaken by the unexpected turn of events.
“Is the picture on the right North America?” Kaufield asked, more than a little astonished by the fact that there were already so many explosions he couldn’t even be certain.
“Yes,” Mary replied. “These images were recorded only minutes earlier. Since then we’ve lost all contact with most of the standard government channels. But there’s lots of civilian chatter, and military Comm-traffic is rising steadily.”
“What are the civilian Captains saying?”
“We’re receiving distress calls and reports of large, unknown vessels.”
“Unknown vessels?” queried Kaufield. “What kind?”
“Well, for one thing our supply shuttle just called in, sir,” she stated matter-of-factly. “They were on their way back to rendezvous with the rest of the supply convoy. A larger capital ship dropped out of PTP transit almost on top of them and immediately opened fire. All attempts to communicate with the newcomer are being ignored. That’s it… then the message ends. I know the whole story only because I received a follow up message from one of the crew – he contacted me with an emergency transmitter someone had on board. I was just about to send the Ranger to help them out when you ordered a halt on all traffic.” She shrugged. “It’s the same with the military vessels, too. Unknown ships are dropping out of transit and immediately opening fire.” Her lips pursed tightly as she listened, trying to filter out the unnecessary conversations. “There are also frantic reports from the officers on military vessels regarding some sort of electronics problem.”
“Confirm base blackout,” Kaufield ordered, “With the exception of that shuttle. Try opening communications with her Captain. I want to know if they’re okay.” Standing next to Mary, the Captain activated another of the Comm-links that lined her console. “Thomas,” he stated firmly, “If you have everything on Pathfinder shut down I’d like you to get up here and help Mary monitor communications. She kind of has her hands full at the moment.”
The Pathfinder Project Page 2
