by Ben Winston
“Their ambassador has formally requested permission to withdraw from Centauri until ‘issues’ can be resolved between our realms. Because the ambassador has departed the capitol, that means that the Tammerain believe that these issues cannot be resolved diplomatically. Every indication we are getting from them is that they intend to go to war with us again,” Mark said and took a drink from his water glass.
“At this time I have ordered a kingdom-wide general state of readiness and have activated several reserve fleets. Our forces are moving forward to protect our frontier worlds, but will not cross the border with the Tammerain. If they want to start a war, they will. However, it will not be because we violated the agreement. We have made no demands of them, nor have we encroached on their holdings along the break line. There is no apparent reason for the timing of this, so all we can do is set our defenses to stop it.
“I’m sure you are all wondering why I waited to tell you this very important information until the last minute? The simply and true answer is because currently, nothing has officially happened with the exception of the ambassador returning to his nation. There is no need for any of us to panic, but we do need to prepare for what might be coming.
“I must apologize for condensing this so much, but time is very short. Quick questions only if you please?” Mark asked. “Miss Johannsson.”
“Arin Johannsson, Carson News. Thank you, Majesty,” the young woman said, preforming the protocols. “In light of the military emergency, are you still ordering the Marines that are close to mandatory retirement, if you will, to report to the Center? And if so, how will this affect our forces?”
“Yes, the soldiers that are close to the mandatory age are still ordered to report to The Center. There are already too many soldiers we can no longer keep our promises too, I will not let that number increase. As for how it will affect our forces, well, any decrease won’t be good, but ordering those who have given so much to give more is something I simply cannot do. I would hope that even in light of our recent discoveries with regard to the enhancement process, we would still have volunteers to serve in that capacity.
“If the Tammerain do follow through with this unprovoked attack, we will be facing the biggest threat to our existence since the first Terran assault on Earth five thousand years ago. Basic and advanced training for Marines takes two months. The enhancement procedure takes three months to complete. It takes another six months for a newly enhanced Marine to recover enough sanity to know whom to attack. That is when most of them are ‘fostered’ out to units. It can take up to two more years before a Marine is stable enough to not need constant supervision.
“That is the reason for the restrictions on Marines. It is also the biggest problem with them; it takes almost three years for one of our enhanced Marines to reach full potential. If the Tammerain do attack us and the absolute worst occurs, they can reach the core worlds in six months.
“In these times of peace, enhanced Marine recruitment has been falling off. Simply put, we just didn’t need them. Our current levels, minus those I ordered to report to The Center, are still a very viable force and are very much capable of defending us in inter-planetary war. We have sufficient Marines to handle ship to ship fighting and even a few planetary actions. But in order to effectively defend our worlds, we will need those Marines on the ground, not on their ships. To that end, the Ministry of Defense will soon be launching a number of new recruitment campaigns to try to rebuild our forces to a wartime level,” Mark finished. “Last question, Mister Gregg please, and Alex, why haven’t you gotten that issue fixed?”
“Alexander Gregg, Independent Information Alliance. Thank you, Majesty.” The man said, and leaned forward in a bow since he was in a hover-chair. “I’m told I’m a poor candidate for the procedure because of my age, so they put me on a waiting list. Thank you for asking, Sire.” The man smiled at the attention. “Sire, we have all heard about the major advances in starships and weapons technology. Are there any plans in place to allow us to field a non-enhanced force to fight on our behalf?”
Mark looked thoughtful for a moment because there were projects in the works to do exactly that, but a lot of those projects were highly classified.
“I can’t answer that as well as either of would like, Alex. How about this; yes there are projects out there to allow us to field front line troops without enhancing the soldiers. However, as yet, none of them are viable enough to attempt.
“Enhancement is expensive, intrusive, time consuming and very hard on the sanity of the soldier. It has long been a dream of several researchers to accomplish exactly what you’ve described. However, it all still boils down to requiring the alteration of the soldier in order to survive contact with the enemy. Remember, even our enhanced Marines have issues dealing with some of the races of the Empire. We do have a couple of promising experiments going, but even they are years from completion.” Mark said. He gave a sad smile to the crowd. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m afraid that’s all the time I can spare. We’ll do this again, soon. Thank you all for coming.” As Mark stepped down from the podium, the gallery again bowed, as he left the room.
As the talking head from the studio came back up on the monitor, Chloe muted it. “Well, that was certainly surprising!”
“I wonder exactly what being knighted will mean to us?” Carl asked. “I’m not sure I like the idea of having to deal with judicial crap. I’m a soldier; I shoot things!”
“Well, that would certainly resolve the issue!” Alice teased him.
John grinned at the banter. “Well, we aren’t knighted yet, and we do have a job to do. We’re going to be dropping out of hyper early tomorrow morning. Has anyone had any ideas on how to keep the Tammerain on their side of the border?”
“Hail them and ask them nicely to stop?” Alice said, innocently. Her comment got most of the Marines present to laugh.
“Somehow I don’t think that would work, Dear. However, I do appreciate your sense of propriety,” Carl replied, patting her hand.
John, looking thoughtful, smiled at them. “You know, that actually might not be a bad idea.”
William looked at John like he was insane. “I know you seem to be able to pull miracles out of hyperspace at the strangest times, John, but you can’t be serious!”
“Actually, I am,” John said, turning his smile on his longtime friend. “Think about it, Will. The Tammerain watched that news broadcast too. They know that we’re ‘on assignment’ for the crown. They also know that while the Guard are not only very bold and usually fight solo, they believe that there is always a fleet capable of pulling our asses out of the fire close by if we need it. We know that isn’t the case, but they believe it.
“If we drop out of hyper, and hail the incoming fleet, that will tell them a number of things. Firstly, that we know exactly where they are, and what they’re up to. They will see that as a bad omen for the opening gambit of the war, and that alone may cause them to stop,” John said before being interrupted by Captain Lowel of the Marines.
“Sir, I know you’ve made a study of Tammerain customs and language, but surely that wouldn’t be enough to stop the entire war, would it? Also, how would we, one tiny unit being in their path, be enough to give them even a moment’s pause?”
John nodded to him. “Normally, I’d be inclined to agree with you, Lowel. However, by and large, the Tammerain are a superstitious bunch. They put a lot of faith in omens and portents, and they believe their leaders actually talk to their deities. To them, the Temporal Guard are almost mythical demons because they believe we cannot be killed. But because of our history in combat, we are as feared in the Empire as we are praised and honored in the Realm.
“Also, like I said earlier, according to the Tammerain, we are never unsupported, but instead, the Realm holds their troops in reserve to let us work our evil magic upon our enemies. It’s all total bullshit, but they believe it. Even if our hail doesn’t stop the war, it will cause the Force Leader to drop out o
f hyper to speak with us. When they do, we will select, and lock on to four medium sized capitol class ships. Depending on how the discussion goes, we can have the fleet fire those new missiles and take out those ships.”
“Which they will see as more of our evil magic, and our reputation will grow exponentially. What if that still doesn’t stop them?” Lowel replied.
“Oh that will definitely put the fear into them. When five other ships mysteriously explode, I’d wager that fleet will jump all the way back to their home world to personally report their encounter. Best case is that their commanders will halt the rest of their forces until they can get an explanation from their leaders.” John took a drink of his beer. His enhancements wouldn’t let him get drunk, but he still liked the taste. The Tammerain Empire views the human race as a sickness upon the universe, and a direct affront to their gods. The complete annihilation of the human race was a task handed down to them by their gods, and was the main reason for the original attack back when we were still on Earth.
“Because of their failure, every ten standard years, every single clan leader in the Empire is sacrificed to appease their gods. They will never agree to a lasting peace with us, they can’t,” John finished.
“Sir, I’ve heard that the Empire’s size is close to incalculable, and that we have never faced more than ten percent of their entire military force. Is that true?” one of the Marines asked.
“Not exactly, Corporal. The Tammerain Empire has an agrarian culture that abhors violence and sees war as an unacceptable undertaking. The total size of the Empire is as you said, and we simply have no idea exactly how large it really is. As for our facing only a very small portion of their military, that is incorrect. Their military consists of only a miniscule fraction of their population because of the bias against making war,” John said.
“That doesn’t make any sense then, Sir. If they hate war, then shouldn’t they be searching for a way to co-exist with us?” another Marine asked.
“I never said it made sense, Private. However, remember I said that it was a divine commandment. Their Gods, through the Emperor or Empress and their aides, have ordered our deaths. Although it is one of the vilest acts they could undertake, they must do so,” John finished.
“So, that’s our plan then? Ask nicely?” William said, grinning.
“Yep, with a loaded gun hidden behind our backs in the case they say no,” John replied. “Chloe, could you speak to the Admiral and get this set up?”
“Sure thing, I’ll go call her now. If I don’t see ya, have a good evening everyone!” Chloe said to the room at large. She was ushered out of the room by a chorus of ‘You too’s’ and ‘Sleep well’s’.
Chapter 20
Vesta Colony Emergency Response Facility
Planet Vesta IV, Caravel System
Independent Kingdom of Terra
When Gloria and Mary returned to the room they were sharing after dinner, Gloria finally cornered Mary.
“Care to tell me what you want to talk to Mark about?”
“Actually, it’s about the enhancement process and stuff. Are you going to tell me why Mark asked you and your folks to go to Centauri?” Mary countered, making Gloria blush.
“Yeah, I was, but we can’t talk about it in public or around my folks,” Gloria replied. “Mark told them that he would like them to come for a visit since we were all going to meet there after everything settled down. They could consider it a vacation and see the sites.”
“Okay, so I take it that isn’t the real reason?” Mary asked.
“Uh, no, it isn’t.” Gloria bit her lower lip. “Mark wants to ask my parents’ permission to ‘court’ me, as he put it. I had to ask what that meant! I was so embarrassed when I found out that it means he wants my parents’ permission to begin dating me officially.”
“Mark wants to date you? That’s wonderful! I knew there was something going on between you two!” Mary said, hugging her friend.
Gloria smiled. “Yeah, there is definitely a spark there, but I don’t know...”
“What’s not to know? You like him, he likes you; what else do you need?” Mary asked.
“He’s the King, Mary! The supreme ruler of everything! It’ll be like dating the Goddess for crying out loud!” Gloria said. “I’m still having issues just talking to him! Not to mention the age difference. How are we going to find things to talk about?”
“Do you have any problems finding things to talk about now?” Mary asked?
“Well, no, not really, but we can only discuss current events for so long. He’ll never age or grow old. I will. How will that work in fifty years when I have grey hair, and he looks just like he does now?” Gloria asked.
“Sweetheart, that’s just one of the things the two of you will have to talk about. I’m in a relationship with two people that won’t age either, and we don’t even know what that relationship is yet! We can only follow our hearts. You like Mark, he likes you enough to want to spend more time with you and see if there is more there. Why not? Even if he doesn’t grow old, I have no doubt he will give you a very full and happy life,” Mary asked. “In the end, that’s all that really matters.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s the reason I agreed to come when he asked. I think he knows that I’ll have a hard time adjusting to being in the spotlight. He’s taking precautions to make sure we don’t get mobbed when we get there,” Gloria replied.
A soft knock on the door interrupted the two women.
Baily opened the door and poked his head in. “His Majesty is giving a press conference, I thought you two might like to watch it.”
“Thanks, Mister Saint! We would!” Mary replied and moved over to the vid unit.
Baily closed the door and went back to his own quarters while the two women sat down to watch Mark talk to the press.
After the broadcast, the women muted the unit, and sat down to discuss what they’d learned.
TG Flyer
Deep Space, Asta Sector
Tammerain Border Zone
“Okay, we’re here,” John said. “Chloe, do you have a fix on the enemy fleet?”
“Yeah, they dropped out of hyper just on the far edge of the zone.” Chloe reported. “They’re moving forward doing full sensor sweeps. I think they’re looking for the intruder stations.”
Intruder stations were small automated facilities placed along various parts of the border. It was far too large to put the stations all the way along it, but there were a good number of them out there. It had been a long time since the last major incursion by the Tammerain. The Realm had been building and placing the stations in key areas. They were equipped with the latest scanning equipment, and were very sensitive, having the ability to look into hyperspace as well as to monitor normal space for light years in all directions.
There wasn’t a station in this area, the closest being more than five light years away, but it would have detected a fleet in hyperspace at that distance. If the fleet stayed in normal space, it would have taken about two years to cross the border, but they would not have been detected when they did it.
Which was the main reason there wasn’t a station out here, it was simply open space. Nothing of importance was within a reasonable sub-light transit range. As soon as anyone made a jump to hyperspace, the distant station would see it, and report the intruders.
The Tammerain had never found any of the stations, but they knew they were there. Royal Customs used the system to track and apprehend smugglers. The Royal Customs Service had even sent alerts to their Tammerain counterparts based on the reports of those stations. The Tammerain knew they were there, they just didn’t know where or exactly how they worked.
“Well, we can’t do anything until they actually violate the border, so I guess we wait,” John said. “Ask the Flyer to keep an eye on them, and let us know if they jump.”
Chloe smiled and nodded to him from her position on the bridge. John just relaxed in the comfortable pilot’s chair, and closed his eyes. W
hen he heard Chloe typing furiously, he rolled his head to look at her. “Are you still trying to hack into Xanadu?”
“Yeah, Doctor Barret sent me a message letting me know they had recently upgraded data security. When I replied that I’d take a crack at it, he challenged me,” she explained.
“Uh, huh. You know what would happen if Royal Intelligence ever caught you, right?” John said, grinning.
“I reached an... agreement, with them over this. As long as I keep them up to date on my progress, they won’t charge me with attempted espionage, and I won’t pulse blast their hidden base on Prius II,” Chloe grinned.
“Why would RIS need a secret base?” John asked interested. “Dare I ask how you even found out about it?”
“I hacked their computer system and found the information. I was at a bar on Centauri when I overheard two computer geeks from RIS bragging about how their security was the best in the Realm. I just couldn’t let that stand unchallenged, so I hacked in and then told them about it. I discovered that base and used it as the proof that I had gotten in,” Chloe explained. “The base and its mission are classified, because they use it to train and prepare their operations people. They also have a special confinement and interrogation area there. After all, you can’t just put terrorists and enemy spies into a regular prison.”
“In other words, they use it to train spies, house enemy agents, and try to turn them,” John said. “It sounds a lot like a facility they had on old Earth call GitMo. Guantanamo Bay was a prison run by the military that was used for the interrogation of terrorists and spies. It was closed down because of rumors about the mistreatment of the prisoners.”
“That must have been before my time. Remember I was born at the Mars colony, after Earth had been mostly destroyed. Were the rumors true?” Chloe asked.
“No one knows for certain. That information was either purposely destroyed, or lost in the fight to save the planet. Either reason is viable, we lost a lot of history and information back then. Some of it was even restructured using the memories of those that had survived; myself included,” John answered. “I helped restore some of the topographical and agricultural history.”
