by Dietmar Wehr
"But will we need twenty-six raiders at that point, Admiral? As soon as the Sogas learn about the Insectoids, they'll forget about us and use all their available mobile assets against the insectoid mothership. From our point of view, the war will effectively be over. If we're going to use raiders against the Sogas, it'll have to be earlier. If you move up the shipyard column to the point when the total jumps from five to ten, you'll see that we'll have ten raiders when there's still two months of potential combat left. How many raiders will the assembly line have produced by then, Admiral?"
Howard nodded with sudden understanding. "Zero. Okay, I get it now. If we expected the war to last more than five months, we'd be better off in the long run building the assembly line, but for the short window of opportunity where raiders can be of use, we're better off building them in the shipyards. So why wouldn't it be the same for the F2 fighter?"
"The reason is the difference in size. The F2 is roughly one third as large as the raider. It has far less components. That means the assembly line is much shorter and can be built sooner. When it's operating at capacity, it will produce a new F2 every 20 hours. If we only used shipyards to build F2s, we would actually have fewer available for the last eleven weeks of the five month period."
"Yes, that makes sense, and I see we'll also have more of the older F1 type arriving from Site B too. Hmm. Now that I see what limited use raiders will be in the near term, I'm wondering if it makes sense building them at all. If we use our shipyards to build raiders, we'll have to forget about finishing the two light and one heavy carriers that are partly finished. They might be useful to have someday if we're going to have lots of fighters. Comments?" asked Howard.
"Having three more carriers would only be useful if Space Force is anticipating major military operations against an established race like the Sogas. They're not needed for operations against a mobile enemy like the Insectoids. If those shipyards are not going to build raiders, then why not use the existing infrastructure to modify Dreadnought to accept the time machine, Admiral? By leveraging that construction capacity, Space Force will get a large fleet of raiders when it needs them the most."
Howard's initial reaction was to say no, but this wasn't the same argument that Valkyrie had put forward. Wolfman wasn't proposing a risky raid on the Sogas to buy time. The stockpiles of Mark 5 attack drones and fighters of both types would be the same, regardless of what those shipyards were or weren't building. Building the time machine ship as Plan A, with a raid on the enemy home system as a diversion, was too risky. Building a time machine ship as a backup plan, Plan B as it were, without the raid, now that was a horse of a different color.
"If we used the shipyards to manufacture the parts for the time machine and for the conversion of Dreadnought, how long would it take to complete the project?" asked Howard.
"A minimum of ten months but more likely eleven, Admiral."
Howard did a quick mental calculation. "That'll be after the bug mothership arrives here."
"Correct, Admiral."
"That shouldn't be a problem then. We'll have the high-yield, high-spin warhead ready long before then."
"Agreed. We know that the design brought back by Kronos works. We merely have to perfect the production of the components and the process of energizing the platinum. It will be easy to test the prototype."
"Yes. That should be quite a show." He took a deep breath and said, "You can let Valkyrie know that I'll approve construction on the time machine and Dreadnought's modification based on the backup plan that you and I have just discussed, but there will NOT be a diversionary raid."
After the slightest of pauses, Wolfman said, "Acknowledged. I wonder what kind of reception Kronos will get from the Friendlies."
Howard nodded. "Me too."
* * *
The Friendlies' home system looked very much as Kronos remembered it from the alternate timeline. He tried using his Friendly-designed mini-fighter's optical instruments to see if he could detect the proto-type time tunnel, but it was too far in the outer system to be seen. It wasn't long before he got a reply to his initial lasercom message. It contained permission to micro-jump closer with target coordinates. Within minutes Kronos brought his mini-fighter to the designated coordinates where he found the ship at a half light-second distance.
Communication was quickly established with a Friendly AI Kronos explained how humans knew of the aliens' existence, their location and the location of the small, furry aliens. He went on to describe the entire alternative timeline that Casanova experienced or knew about, ending with the expansion of the time tunnel complex, Kronos' creation and journey into the past, as well as events in the new timeline up to the present time. That transmission took less than two seconds but was followed by a much longer pause as his opposite number relayed the data to a Friendly at the much slower speed that biological entities required. After almost 600 seconds, Kronos received a signal carrying the direct communication with one of the Friendlies themselves.
"Why have you been sent to contact us?"
"My humans desire to establish contact to recognize the fact that the old timeline has been altered. Now that we know of the approach of the Insectoids, the war with the Sogas has served its purpose, and my humans have sent me to ask you to persuade the Sogas that we are no threat to them and desire a peaceful resolution to the war."
"That will be difficult. Humans and Sogas share a similar biology and covet the same types of planetary environments. Conflict is inevitable given their psychological propensity for paranoia. We have already advised them that their species is much more in danger from the Insectoids. However, this knowledge, combined with their peculiar logic, has had the opposite effect of what we intended. Rather than lower the intensity of their aggression against humans, their desire to end the war quickly in order to prepare for the insectoid encounter has increased. That is why they have resorted to biological weapons. Their attempts to infect your population will continue. Further attempts are likely to include acts of diversion or deception. A human attempt to intercept the Insectoids before they reach the Sogas may convince them to cease their bio-weapon attacks. How will humans deal with the insectoid advance?"
"I have been instructed not to reveal that information," said Kronos.
There was a pause before the alien responded. "There is only one reason why your humans would not want us to have the information and that is that they do not wish the Sogas to learn it from us. The only logical conclusion therefore is that humans do not want the Sogas to be able to defeat the Insectoids. This attitude does not surprise us. It is typical of how humans think. In their own way, they are just as psychologically...unbalanced as are the Sogas. Do your humans not understand that all races have the right to exist? We do not wish to see any intelligent species disappear. Even the Insectoids do not deserve to be completely exterminated."
"But they will do their best to exterminate countless other species if they're not stopped. Where is the logic in allowing them to do that?" asked Kronos.
"Only the complete extermination of all Insectoids in this galaxy would ensure the survival of other species. We believe that all life forms were designed for a reason. It is not for us to decide that the Insectoids must disappear from the Universe," said the alien.
"Their appearance may not be a natural event," said Kronos.
"Explain."
"In the alternate timeline, multiple insectoid motherships arrived at the Sogas and human home systems from multiple directions. My analysis of the timing and trajectory of these motherships suggests that they did not originate from a single star system. It does not seem possible that they could evolve independently on more than one planet. That implies they are an engineered species that has been deliberately transplanted to other planets by an unknown agency."
"Are you able to transmit that data?" asked the alien.
Kronos transmitted all of the astrogational data related to all observed insectoid mothership arrivals. The alien AI warn
ed Kronos that analysis of the data might take a while.
When the response came, the alien said, "The data is consistent with your hypothesis, however there may be other explanations. Without conclusive proof of artificial evolution, we would not approve or assist in any attempt to rid this galaxy of that life form."
"What kind of data would you need to see in order to have conclusive proof of our theory?" asked Kronos.
"If we had one of them to scan with our temporal equipment, we could track that individual back in time, including its ancestors, to the point where the species no longer existed in that form."
"Then we would have to capture one of them alive and bring it to you?" asked Kronos.
"It does not have to be alive. Our device is concerned only with the temporal history of the atoms making up the specimen. When we have that proof, we would then be willing to assist with any attempt to eliminate the Insectoids and, if possible, realign the timeline in such a way that humans are not threatened with biological weapons."
"I will convey that message to the Humans. Is there anything else you wish the Humans to know?"
"Yes. The planet containing the small, furry creatures that we are trying to protect has two large land masses. The furry creatures evolved on and inhabit the larger land mass. The smaller land mass has an environment that would be suitable for humans. We would be willing to allow Humans to colonize the smaller land mass as a sanctuary for their species on condition that they do not encroach on the larger land mass and do not interfere with the furry aliens in any way. This offer will be withdrawn if your humans allow the Sogas home world to be consumed by the Insectoids."
"Understood. I will now return to my humans." Kronos decided that he had to get this information back as quickly as possible. Valkyrie would be VERY interested in the Insectoid capture concept.
Chapter 5
Jason Alvarez stepped outside his small house and let the cool night breeze wash over him. Life on Haven was not great, but it was getting better. Thank God the enemy attack had been stopped cold by the Space Force people two weeks ago. He shuddered to think what would have happened if the shells containing the biological agent had landed. Sure the colonists had all evacuated the settlement by then, but if the settlement had become contaminated, he along with everyone else would still be living in the woods under makeshift shelters with minimal food.
He was pondering what that might have been like when he noticed a faint noise that was getting louder. It was a whooshing sound that quickly peaked in intensity and then just as quickly faded, and it seemed to be coming from above. He looked up but saw nothing. As he continued to look at the night sky, he felt tiny drops of something hit his face. That's strange. There aren't any clouds in the sky so it can't be rain. The smell of the air started to become quite pleasant, almost like some kind of perfume or cologne. He inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. He looked around at the nearby houses to see if anyone else was still awake. There was one other house with lights on. He decided to walk over to them and let them know about the sweet smell. This kind of thing hadn't happened before, and unless he got someone to corroborate his story, it was likely that nobody would believe him.
* * *
Howard entered the conference room, stepped over to the chair at the head of the large oval table and slapped his tablet down in obvious anger. As he sat down, Shiloh could see the pulsing blood vessel in his boss's forehead. I don't think I've ever seen him this angry before. What the hell is going on?
Howard looked around the table. The room was dead quiet. When he spoke, his voice was outwardly calm, but those who knew him well could tell that he was on the verge of exploding.
"I've just received a verbal report from Kronos. He's returned from a mission to contact the Friendlies. Kronos, are you on line?"
"Yes, Admiral," said Kronos from the speaker unit in the center of the table. "All of the SPG AIs are connected as well. I've already briefed them on the mission results."
"Good. I'll summarize what you told me for the benefit of Vice-Admiral Shiloh, Senior Commander Kelly and the other human members of the SPG who are present. The Friendlies object to our plans to let the Bugs bring the damned Sogas to heel for us. It's okay for them to exterminate us, but we're not allowed to let them suffer the same fate! We're supposed to save their hides even though they're still trying to use biologicals against us! The Friendlies have made us an offer to avoid becoming trapped in their own hypocrisy. If we prevent the Bugs from decimating the Sogas home world, the Friendlies will allow us Humans to establish a colony on some small land mass on the planet containing the goddamned furry aliens as a sanctuary for insurance against the outbreak of the bio-weapon!" Howard was shouting by the time he finished that sentence.
When it was clear that Howard was going to pause, Shiloh said, "That may not be a bad idea, Admiral. We could shift the Haven colonists—"
Howard cut him off. "Wolfman! Tell Vice-Admiral Shiloh about your latest vision."
"My vision contained information that Haven and at least seven other colonies have been infected with the bio-weapon. All incoming ships from any colony should be held in quarantine orbit until their crews and passengers survive for 28 days from the time they leave a colony. At the point when the vision was sent, seven colonies were confirmed as infected, with the status of the other fourteen unknown. They could all be infected."
"How did they do it?" asked Shiloh before Howard could say anything.
"We don't know and it doesn't matter," said Howard. "Now you know why I'm so angry. If the other colonies aren't already infected, then the enemy has screwed up. I'm going to assume that they're infected now or will be before we can do anything to help them. We are going to wrap Earth in a ring of steel. Even if every single colony is wiped out, we can start over as long as Earth is not infected. We're still looking for that homeless guy living underground, but we know that we'll find him eventually. As for the Friendlies' suggestion that we turn the other cheek and save the Sogas, they can go fuck themselves! WE ARE NOT TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK!"
Howard's face was red with rage. Opening his mouth to say something more, he suddenly grimaced in pain, clutched his chest and fell off his chair to the floor. Shiloh was closest, and as he knelt down beside him, he heard Kelly call for medics over the intercom.
"Take it easy, Admiral—" Shiloh started to say, but Howard cut him off.
"Promise me you won't turn the other cheek! Promise me, God dammit!" said Howard in a voice raspy with pain.
Shiloh hesitated. He's letting his rage cloud his judgment. We need to break out of this cycle of fear and hate.
He shook his head and said, "I can't promise that, Admiral. I don't think it's the best way."
Howard said nothing and looked away.
Kelly knelt down beside Shiloh and said, "I'll keep an eye on the Admiral. The medics will be here any second. You should take over the meeting, Victor."
Shiloh shook his head. "We can't continue the meeting with Howard laying on the floor for God's sake!"
Kelly gave him a hard look. "I'm not saying CONTINUE the meeting, just take control of it. You're now the ranking officer. Everyone is waiting for you to do something, so go do it."
Shiloh took a deep breath. She was right. There was nothing he could do for Howard, and as the next most senior officer, he had a duty to take control of the situation. He stood up and walked over to the end of the table where the other three human members of the SPG were standing.
Speaking loud enough for the AIs to hear, he said, "We're going to temporarily stop the meeting until the Admiral gets medical attention. Kronos, I'd like to talk with you on a private line. Stand by while I set that up."
"I'm standing by, CAG."
By the time Shiloh had finished speaking with Kronos, the medics had taken Howard away. Kelly was nowhere in sight. One of her SPG comrades confirmed that she had gone with the medics. Indicating to the others to sit, Shiloh sat back down in the same chair as before.
&
nbsp; "Obviously I can't make any decisions about our future strategy. Admiral Dietrich is the Deputy CSO, and he'll take over temporarily until a permanent replacement can be appointed by the Oversight Committee." That should be an interesting meeting, thought Shiloh. "What I can do is make recommendations. Kronos has just informed me that the Friendlies are willing to try to restrain the Sogas if we don't let the Insectoids conquer them. My understanding of events in the alternate timeline lead me to believe that we have a lot more to fear from the Insectoids than from the Sogas. Even if we can sidestep them now, Humanity will have to face them again at some point. Eliminating the Insectoid threat once and for all will require Friendly assistance. In order to get that, we need to capture one of the Bugs, dead or alive, and take it to the Friendlies. Wolfman! Given what we know of the alternate timeline, what's our best option for capturing a bug?"
"Data recorded by Valkyrie of the insectoid attack on the Sogas colony at Omega77 shows that at least one Insectoid was killed by the defenders. None of the subsequent recordings of that encounter show that dead Insectoid being recovered before the VLO left. If we send a ship to arrive there after the VLO leaves, then we may be able to recover an insectoid body, CAG."
