General Walker steps from the doorway of the military transport plane, then stops and squints in the bright sunlight. His military uniform, complete with a jacket, is in pristine condition. While his eyes adjust to the brightness, the dry desert air stabs at his lungs. Even with these difficulties, he easily spots the distant buildings that dot the landscape. Suddenly noticing the alien construction dock, he stares at it, transfixed.
Metallic fingers point upward, curling around a massive craft that rests inside its cradle. The sight is a far cry from the underground world of NORAD, his last assignment. Thinking back to his brief he smiles, words just don’t do this facility any justice. He stares in awe, it would be like calling NORAD a hole in the ground.
A jeep pulls up at the bottom of the plane’s stairway, interrupting his thoughts. The driver quickly gets out, then salutes. Walker makes his way down to the dusty runway, then salutes the American soldier back. The drive to the nearby command post is a short one. Walker watches as the jeep kicks up a dust trail in their wake, it is hot and dry.
General Walker is led inside the command center where he meets his Australian counterpart, General Hayes. Walker, with his shorter stature and muscular frame looks as fit as a fresh recruit, his grey hair marks him as the elder of the two. The younger Hayes, by comparison, almost looks disheveled with his wavy hair and dusty shirt.
They stare at each other for a few seconds before Walker offers a crisp salute and states formally, “I hereby take command of the coalition’s starship construction facility.”
General Hayes stiffly salutes back, “I am relieved.”
Walker relaxes, then sighs, “I never wanted this to happen.” No one likes to lose a command, especially to a foreign force, no matter the circumstances.
“Yeah, I know,” Hayes replies, genuinely feeling Walker’s empathy.
The men understand each other’s position, and remain quiet for a few moments.
Finally, Walker nods, and asks, “Is there anything special I should know?”
Hayes grins, “Sure. Come with me,” he says while thinking, he’s gonna love this. He frowns as he looks at Walker’s uniform, “You had better leave that jacket behind, it’s too damn hot, mate.”
Walker hesitantly removes his jacket, then follows Hayes outside to the waiting jeep.
Hayes points off into the distance, “That’s the colony ship Liberty, she’s yet to be officially named though. I will give you a tour, she’s a beauty.”
Walker looks upward and notices a boxy looking craft coming in to land, ah the alien shuttle. He turns to Hayes and asks, “How’s the progress on the space station?”
Hayes watches the shuttle land as he answers, “Slow, and I have to warn you, Lisa will be hounding you almost daily for updates.”
“Lisa?” Walker replies curiously. There’s no Lisa on the military roster, he mentally runs through the list of names once again.
Hayes frowns, “Oh, you will get to know her very well, she’s George’s wife.”
Walker turns to Hayes in confusion, “George? The civilian advisor?”
Hayes stares at Walker, his demeanor becoming quite serious. “If it were not for George, the Terran would have exploded in that dock two years ago. We owe all we know to that man.”
Walker nods, recalling some of the details from his mission briefing, I thought the Aussies had exaggerated his role. Perhaps not. “Well, I will be removing all civilians from this facility. Too much of a security risk.”
Hayes nods as he replies, “Good luck with that one, Lisa can be quite, um, persuasive.” He glances around and wonders, security risk? There’s open desert in all directions, literally for as far as the eye can see.
Walker is a man who is used to having his orders followed, not questioned. He has no doubt that Lisa will comply. Hayes grins as he recognizes Walker’s conviction, he too was resolute, until he met her, that is. The space station would still be just a concept, if it were not for her persistence, he muses.
Hayes changes the subject quickly, “We were all saddened by the disaster in Nevada. How is the rebuilding going?”
Walker sighs, “Yeah, those quakes shoved a shit load of California into the ocean. We’re building whole new cities, and towns, further inland. But it’s a mess.”
Hayes nods in sympathetic understanding. Arriving at the ramp that leads up and into the spacecraft, Hayes watches Walker’s expression as it turns into one of awe. The Liberty is modeled along the same lines as the Terran, thus it is enormous.
Walker’s thoughts of home are thrust aside as the size and scope of the project begins to sink in. This thing is huge, he realizes. Walker’s eyes bulge as he spots two metal humanoid robots working nearby. He points at them, his mouth agape.
Hayes grins once more, and explains, “Gamin bodysuits. Not many folks can use them. I can only imagine how fast we could build this ship if we had a whole pile more.”
Walker reflects once again on the brief he read on the plane. “Ah I see, are they like the suits George and Olaf use?”
Hayes turns to Walker, suitably impressed, “Yes indeed. Those alien suits are amazing. Really wish we could make more.”
The tour takes quite a while. By the end, Hayes and Walker are both extremely tired, the ship has a lot of stairways. Hayes retires to his quarters, leaving Walker in the command center.
Walker stares at the stacks of reports and policy documents. A few catch his attention such as the ‘defense policy,’ ‘civilians’, and then the last one really catches his eye, ‘Terran Return Procedure.’ He spends his first night in command reading reports, lots of reports, then as the day’s morning rays approach, he finds himself drawn to the folder labeled, ‘Terran Return Procedure’.
Eighteen Months after the Nevada Incident
Location:
Kangbashi District
China
Commander Jie nervously adjusts his shirt, his thoughts excitedly racing, the President is here! He and his entourage are here to see me. He gulps, then takes a deep breath. Jie steps into his office, his eyes quickly scan those present, Ah, his son is also here, I wonder why? Jie stiffly faces the President, bows in respect, and then awaits permission to speak. The room is filled with advisors, soldiers, and even a single reporter.
The President nods to his son, who after nodding back, speaks with confidence. “Supreme Space Commander Jie,” he scoffs, while looking down his nose at the shorter man. He then continues with his insulting tone, “Your title has little meaning when we do not have a spaceship, or a space station.” The young man’s eyes glare accusingly at Jie, while his voice carries malevolent undertones. “The Americans will soon have both. You have failed!”
Jie does his best to keep his excitement contained. His mind spins, they have no idea of the demonstration I have planned. He bows again, then seeing he is permitted to speak, does so. He turns to the President and addresses him courteously. “If I may be so bold as to ask for you all to step out onto the balcony,” Jie motions toward the expansive doorway. “I have arranged a special surprise for you.”
The President stands, his son stares at the balcony, momentarily fearful. An open place, this Jie is bold and quite ambitious, he... the thought hangs as another comes to mind, I wonder? He seems unconcerned with my comments. What does he have planned? I could use an ambitious man like this!
The balcony holds the delegation of fifteen easily. The view is breathtaking. Hundreds of buildings dot the landscape, an entire city dedicated to one task, Jie’s bidding. Down below, the massive courtyard is devoid of life. A single large structure rests there, a massive turret juts out from it, pointing toward the sky.
The President’s son looks downward, then says with disdain, “You show us a bunker, and expect us to be impressed.”
Jie presses a small device that rests in his pocket. I could have so easily arranged an accident, the unbidden thought crosses his mind, causing him to gulp anxiously. The thought bothers him, then his eyes narrow as he
considers the consequences. In a single moment, I could have secured my position forever. He glances at the President’s son and is surprised to see him staring intently back at him. I am starting to hate this posturing young fool, he thinks, then smiles nervously as he bows slightly.
Jie’s thoughts are drawn down to the object below as it begins to hum. A minute later it lifts off the ground, then hovers there. The ungainly looking vehicle then moves around the courtyard, its turret aiming skyward. Jie motions to a pile of binoculars that rest on a nearby table, “We will need to use those to observe today’s demonstration.”
Jie watches with great anticipation as the floating tank moves out beyond the city’s boundaries into an open area. A shimmering haze is evident beneath it. Stopping, the craft slowly sinks to the ground. Its turret glows as a high-pitched whine builds up. Suddenly the turret emits a blinding white light. An instant later, a distant hillside explodes. Great piles of earth are flung high into the air. Once the dust settles, even Jie is impressed, the hill is gone, vaporized. The others gape at the hill with its top carved away, almost to ground level.
The President lowers his binoculars, “A most remarkable display.”
Jie cannot contain himself, he said remarkable! “There is more,” he says as if addressing one of his workers.
Before anyone can chastise Jie, a squadron of planes roar out from the clouds. They dive toward the ground, then as one, fire dozens of missiles. The missiles streak downward toward the motionless tank, while the planes bank away. The impacts are very impressive as each missile detonates either on the tank, or close to it. Once again, those watching have to wait for the dust to settle before they can see the results of the attack.
Jie gazes through his binoculars in time to see the tank rising from the ground, unscathed. He grins, success, then dares speak. “With these on our borders, we would have the most powerful military force on the planet, and as for the space station,” pausing for effect he grins wolfishly, and then while shrugging his shoulders, points upward, “We can destroy it anytime we want to.”
Jie opens his mouth to speak then pauses, no point in telling them how close the colony ship is, that news can wait, he smiles at the thought. Suddenly realizing whose company he is in, he quickly bows respectfully and silently.
The President claps his hands formally, “Well done Jie, a satisfactory demonstration.”
Jie keeps his head low, satisfactory! Inside he is seething at the use of the term, but he keeps his emotions in check. Upon hearing people departing, he lifts his eyes. The President’s son is a single step away, his intense stare aimed right at him. Jie gulps involuntarily, then lowers his gaze.
Jie flinches when the young man touches his shoulder and speaks softly to him. “I will talk with you. My family name is Wu, you may address me as such.”
Jie nods his head, then lifts his gaze. “I am your humble servant.”
Wu shakes his head in annoyance, “Yes, yes, of course you are,” he says dismissively. “I have an idea, and I do believe you will like what I am offering.” Wu glances at his father’s back, then whispers quietly, “Now is not a good time, I will be back to talk.”
Jie nods respectfully while his mind races, why would he want to talk to me? What does he want?
It is only when everyone leaves, and Jie is alone, does he begin to relax. Once he gets word the Presidential task force has left the city, Jie walks back onto his balcony. He smiles as massive hover sleds begin to move around once more. He grins, thinking, my plan is coming together very nicely. His face falls into a frown as a thought enters his mind, I had better get more than, satisfactory! He stares into the distance, away from the vaporized hill. The structure looks to be no more than an oil refinery, but Jie knows that most of the structure is a facade, designed to confuse any observers. The spacecraft within appears far from complete, many sections are still gaping caverns. He grins again as his eyes wander from building to building. They will all be most surprised indeed!
Jie turns around, the blood drains from his face while his grin turns into fearful gape. Wu, the President’s son, is standing an arm’s length away and staring at him intently. “Jie, you have done well and shall be rewarded in my new empire.” Wu’s boastful statement surprises Jie.
Wu steps past Jie, and waves an arm across the cityscape before them. He turns to Jie, his eyes blazing with intensity, and with a genuine grin on his face playfully slaps Jie on the back. “You will be my right-hand man in my empire.”
Wu looks upward and expands his small chest as much as he can in self-pride, “The Wu Dynasty, as it shall come to be known.”
Jie gulps, then quickly considers his options. Wu is insane! He bows nervously, then finally speaks, “As you wish, my emperor.”
Wu stares back across the landscape as he reveals his plan. “I will come with you when we will launch the new colony ship, but we must do this soon, my father is becoming suspicious of my desires.”
Jie’s mind races as he struggles to find a suitable answer, finally he stammers, “The ship can be ready in a few weeks, but we have barely begun to collect the stores we need.”
Wu strokes his chin in an act of self-importance, “Request what you need to make this happen, Sovereign Jie.”
Jie bows in respect, “It will be done.” I am to be his Sovereign, Jie is stunned at the thought.
Wu takes a deep breath then turns to gaze over the city once more, “I will leave you to your work.” Wu strides from the balcony, and then leaves the room.
When Wu leaves, Jie wonders how the man managed to stay behind without him knowing about it. Then he considers his role as Wu’s Sovereign in a new dynasty. Second only to an Emperor! His mind reels, what power!
Location:
Abu Dhabi
Arab Emirates
The largest supertanker in the world, the Seawise Giant II, hovers over the ocean waves. While still under construction, with only her main beams in place, new orders and a massive influx of money changed this ship’s fate overnight. Engineers and designers scrambled to make the necessary changes. Cost was not a factor, secrecy was, and with the world focused on so many other issues, this mammoth undertaking proceeded unnoticed.
The massive ship creates a misty shimmering haze in the space between it and the choppy waters below. The gravity landing system employed on Gamin spacecraft has been retrofitted to the tanker’s entire lower hull. Her engines have been replaced with a single power unit from China, while her lower flanks and rear boast an impressive array of thrusters. The captain stares out at his country’s investment with pride. The entire refit was performed in complete secrecy, until today’s unveiling.
The captain grins at his bridge crew while issuing his orders, “Prepare for departure. Let’s make our maiden voyage one for the history books.”
Looking around, the captain’s smile broadens, instead of two weeks, this trip will take less than a day. The distant shoreline is filled with spectators, while the air buzzes with helicopters from every news service. I can only imagine their shock when we lifted out of the water. His thoughts drift back to the long and carefully planned journey to this port. The ship had to travel slowly, and appear to be an ordinary freighter, in order for today’s unveiling to be a complete surprise.
The Captain paces the expansive bridge with its myriad of controls, as he issues his orders, “Set departure speed at ten knots, then build her up to maximum speed as we enter clear waters.” One hundred-fifty knots, if not more, they tell me. The captain frowns as he wonders, if we’re traveling above the water, is our speed still measured in knots?
While he ponders his own question, onlookers can only stare in amazement as the largest ship in the world emits an audible hum, lifts even higher out of the water, then moves away. The very waters beneath its hulk are seemingly flattened in its passing. The gap between the ship, and the ocean beneath, is large enough for many of the pleasure crafts nearby to sail through, though fortunately none try. Those watching
gape at the hovering ship as it moves away. While many are stunned by what they see, others take pictures of the amazing sight. The Seawise Giant II was named well, its bulk and technology are a truly marvelous piece of engineering.
Location:
10 Downing Street
Westminster, United Kingdom
The British Prime Minister sits with his head cupped in his hands. His throbbing headache refuses to give him any peace. The room is filled with members of Parliament, all seated quietly, patiently waiting.
Finally, he stands, tucks his hands into his vest’s front pockets, and begins his speech. “It seems the Chinese have sold a number of new technologies to the Arab Emirates, who in turn, have converted what was to be the world’s slowest, yet largest freighter, into the fastest. The economic impact of this one ship alone is incalculable. This massive tanker is even larger than the sister ship it was modeled after. It can singlehandedly transport more crude oil in one month than our entire shipping fleet could do in a year!”
The Prime Minister pauses and waits for comments. When none are forthcoming, he continues. “By augmenting all forms of heavy transport; freight trains, heavy duty mining vehicles, and ocean going tankers, the cost associated with the transportation of goods diminishes. Additionally, such vehicles have either a reduced need for fossil fuels, or no need what so ever. We have some video footage that must be seen to be believed.”
With that, he nods to an aide. The lights dim while thick drapes draw together covering the windows. A screen lowers from the ceiling, then a projector engages. Though the video has obviously been taken from a great distance, the images are clear enough to be viewed. A seemingly average freight train approaches as the words, ‘Kangbashi District - China’, splash across the screen.
Suddenly a man nearest the image leans forward, then points and gasps in surprise. “That locomotive, it’s not even running! The whole thing is a sham, it’s just made to look like an ordinary train.”
Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles) Page 71
