The Hot Gate: Troy Rising III-ARC

by John Ringo

  “Destroying their cities is not small injuries,” Toer said.

  “Think about it,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “The Jacksonian tribe is not urban based,” Avama said. “And it is those we need fear. They don’t supply the majority of academics, politicians or media. Those are the people we’ve been paying attention to! Jacksonians supply the majority of only one group: their military. Also, to an extent, their production base. We’ve been ignoring the only tribe that is important in the situation!”

  “Not the politicians?” Beor said.

  “I take that back,” Avama said. “Not the politicians we tend to notice except in the negative. Their president, for example, is from that background and not only, now, a politician but an academic in the field of politics and interstellar affairs. But she is an unusual case. The majority of the type of politicians and bureaucrats we notice, with which we interact, are from a tribe that, in a war, is very aggressively told to take a back seat.

  “During recent wars, even with the Horvath initially, that was impossible. The US is a true democracy and those other tribes had sufficient power, hard and soft, to constantly involve themselves in something they had neither the background nor the understanding to manage. At this point, they are sufficiently reduced, they were urban based in the main, that they are functionally unimportant. That is the key factor I was missing. I was wrong in my initial analysis of the humans because I ignored the importance, militarily, substantially and politically, of the Jacksonian tribe. In part, because every time members of that tribe who had some power were discussed by humans they were dismissed out of hand as unimportant. It is as if the only people in your family I talked to and paid attention to was your sister.”

  “That is the Americans,” Beor said. “What of the other polities?”

  “There are similar conditions in many of them,” Avama said. “Harder to piece out in some cases. Many of them are traditional enemies of the Jacksonians. But, for example, the Indian War Party has as its majority members of tribes that are historically war-like. Yet many of its supporters come from tribes that are more mercantile or academically oriented. Traditionally pacific groups. Yet they support the War Party, elect people they normally would not associate themselves with, because the traditional method is ‘in war, let the war mongers run things.’ May I use an historical example?”

  “Go,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “During a late great war, the one they call World War Two although it should be more correctly called Major Campaign Three of the Seventy-Five Year War, the British elected a Prime Minister who had been something of a joke for years. Mostly because he predicted a great war, wanted to spend money on defense and was constantly insulted for his general war mongering. He is still considered one of their greatest Prime Ministers. But as soon as the war was finished, he was removed from power.”

  “When war comes, let the warriors run it,” To’Jopeviq said. “And when peace comes the warriors are cast back out into the darkness? Why don’t the warriors simply seize power?”

  “The Americans are more flexible about it,” Avama said. “Many of their great generals have been presidents. The first president of their country was supreme commander of forces during their War of Independence. But he set the tone for voluntary change of power. He could have stayed president until he died but he only served for eight years and then retired. By the same token, during the previous war I discussed their president was a cripple.”

  “Impossible,” To’Jopeviq said, subtly trying to hide his prosthetic.

  “He had had a childhood disease that crippled his legs,” Avama said. “Historically unquestionable. At the time, he did much to avoid having it noticed in the primitive information systems of the time. But he was a cripple. And all the polities are not the same. Some the non-military personnel hang onto power even though they are not mentally suited to running a war. Others the military uses hard power to seize control or functionally controls the country, during both war and peace. But most of the really important polities follow the same general tenor. And most of them, all that are members of this new Alliance, are democracies. Even France, and don’t even try to follow the issues with that, has elected a former general and a firebrand. Whether they will make any sort of valid contribution is another question.”

  “Does this help us in any way?” To’Jopeviq asked.

  “The analysis is, I think, most important for the negotiation teams,” Beor said. “Even very important. They probably don’t realize that the people they are dealing with have no functional power. They probably think that they are from powerful families which have some degree of real control. And thus if they can convince them, personally, of our side that this will filter to the families and thus to their power center. If you are saying that they are from...tribes that are essentially out of power as long as there is a threat...”

  “Convincing them personally, or paying attention to their preference for peace, is so much vacuum,” To’Jopeviq said. “It still doesn’t cover our primary focus. How do we defeat them?”

  “I have also been looking at that,” Avama said. “Prior to this assignment, I tried to pay as little attention to war as possible. I would put myself squarely in the position of the tribe that is out of power among the Americans. However, since I see the absolute need to win this war, or at least get to a point that we can get the Jacksonians willing to accept a ceasefire, I have been studying war. But I have not been studying our forms of warfare except as directly related to system conquest. I have been studying the humans.”

  “We have a long history of warfare,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “We have also been tinkering with our history so much it is hard to glean reality from falsehood,” Avama said then blanched.

  “Alternative means of thinking, Academic,” Beor said. “Go on.”

  “And we are fighting the humans and they are, arguably, winning,” Avama said. “At the very least, we are not. So I had to wonder ‘How would a great human general win this?’ ”

  “That is alternative,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “Most of them, when I translated their concepts to modern realities, came down to ‘Try not to have to fight at all.’ Troy, Thermopylae and now Malta. They are inflating a fourth station. This one, by the way, will decidedly be fixed since it is too large to go through the gate.”

  “Joy,” To’Jopeviq said. “I’d noticed, by the way.”

  “We all did,” Toer said, balefully. “Yay. We don’t have to worry about a fourth station coming through into Eridani.”

  “The point being that most of their generals would simply council ‘try not to get into that fight.’ But if it had to be fought? Subedey: Speed is everything. Surprise is everything. Deception is everything. Utter ruthlessness.”

  “I like him,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “I would, by the way, suggest ignoring that last for some complex reasons. But the other three...?”

  “You can’t use deception if you’re doing a gate assault,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “Not if you’re assaulting the gate,” Avama said. “They have been destroying us piecemeal in gate assaults.”

  “Get them to attack?” To’Jopeviq said. “How?”

  “More than that,” Avama said. “Get them to attack through the gate in too low of force.”

  “That is an...interesting idea,” To’Jopeviq said. “Worth some very serious thought.”

  “So is one other thing,” Beor said. “Being aware that this is not an official Kazi query but part of this group. What has caused your sudden change of heart. You stated ‘since I see the absolute need to win this war, or at least get to a point that we can get the Jacksonians willing to accept a ceasefire.’ You are a pacifist. You now support the war. Why?”

  “I am a Rangora,” Avama said. “And that is not a simple rote response, Kazi. You were paying insufficient attention to my statements about the Jacksonians and similar tribes among other polities.”

  “
How so?” Beor asked.

  “The Jacksonians are very difficult to get to negotiate,” Avama said. “They believe in total war and putting a foot on their enemy’s neck. Unconditional surrender is the only thing they understand. You still don’t get it, do you?”

  “Apparently not,” To’Jopeviq said.

  “I’m not really worried about how to take the Terran system,” Avama said. “I’m wondering how we’re going to hold Rangor.”

  * * *

  “You get your in-brief from Persing?”

  The Chief Engineer for Bravo Troop was Engineer’s Mate First Class Jayson Megdanoff. Tall and dyspeptic looking, he seemed less than happy to meet her.

  “Yes, EM,” Dana said.

  “You’re going to have to get new rate badges,” Megdanoff said. “You’re an engineer again. You remember any of it?”

  The engineering office for the troop was, as always, a clutter of tools and pulled parts. This one was, if anything, more organized than the similar office Dana had had a second home on Troy. Thermal had always known exactly where everything in the office was but the organization method escaped everyone else.

  “Yes, EM,” Dana said.

  “We’ll see, I suppose,” Megdanoff replied. “Div Two has had a run of bad luck. All the boats are up, currently, but there’s been constant issues. Between the screw-ups on Apollo’s part and the crap we’re getting out of Granadica it’s a nightmare to keep these boats running. It doesn’t help that we lost about a quarter of our trained crews taking Station Two. And in mid-space accidents during that idiotic transfer. Right now there’s only an EA on Twenty-Three so any trained engineer is a benefit.”

  “I continued to maintain engineering proficiency while a coxswain, EM,” Dana said. “What I’m not up on is the paperwork especially for running the division.”

  “You’ll catch up on the engineering database quick enough,” Megdanoff said. “That’s one thing that’s actually easier than it was before the plants. Right now, I think you need to see your boats. Where’s your suit?”

  “In my quarters, EM,” Dana said. “Apparently there’s some issue with putting me in the main unit quarters so I’m at the BNCOQ. It will take me ten minutes to get over there, don suit and get back.”

  “That’s going to suck,” Megdanoff said, blinking rapidly and for the first time actually seeming to show some interest in the conversation. “In fact, I’m not sure that’s going to work.”

  “My thought as well, EM,” Dana said, controlling her temper. The door opened and a tall, broad Hispanic EM1 entered without knocking. Dana was just getting used to most of the Hispanic contingent being about her size. The EM was a mountain. She’d never seen someone that big from Latin countries except in movies.

  “EM2 Parker, this is EM1 Ponce Diaz,” Megdanoff said, gesturing. “The way things are set up right now there’s sort of a dual command and authority structure. Diaz is my counterpart.”

  “EM,” Dana said, nodding at him.

  “Engineer Parker,” the EM replied.

  “Parker’s been designated NCOIC for Division Two,” Megdanoff said.

  “Looking forward to it,” Diaz said. “They need a good mechanic down there. I reviewed your record as an engineer and could find no fault. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  “Thank you,” Dana said, feeling slightly confused.

  “Ponce, could you run Parker down to her boat?” Megdanoff said. “After she retrieves her suit. Parker, I’ll check on the quartering issue. I know where it’s emanating but it’s something we’re going to have to figure out. You can’t be up in the BNCOQ if you’re going to be part of the unit.”

  “Agreed, BM,” Dana said. “EM Diaz, it will take me about ten minutes. My apologies.”

  “Completely understood, miss,” the engineer replied. “I’ve got paperwork to catch up on, anyway. I’ll be here.”

  SEVEN

  “We have received an interesting analysis of our opponents from Rangor,” Under Envoy Zho’Ghogabel said.

  “Interesting in what way?” Envoy Ve’Disuc replied. The negotiations were going no-where but they rarely did for long periods. It was all about patience. Being the drop of water that wore away the stone.

  “It is long,” Zho’Ghogabel said. “The most important part, for us, is that we’re talking to the wrong people. I now understand the problem of doing anything with Danforth. There is also a change in position from the Junta.”

  “Really?” Ve’Disuc said, sitting up.

  “Separate from all other discussion points,” Zho’Ghogabel said, sending on the report with the orders highlighted. “Simple tit for tat. And one the Terrans have already brought up.”

  “We can use this for more than a tit-for-tat,” Ve’Disuc said. “This could be a real breakthrough. I must contact the Ministry.”

  * * *

  “Come,” James Horst said. He didn’t even look up from his computer. He knew who it was.

  “James,” Ve’Disuc said, bending through the door.

  “Envoy Ve’Disuc,” Horst said, spinning around in his chair. “I think the couch will take you.”

  “Thank you,” the Rangora said, sprawling onto the human couch. The furniture for the various delegations had been brought from their home planets. “I think we may have a real breakthrough.”

  “That would be interesting,” Horst said, neutrally. “Which is?”

  “Aliens are alien,” Ve’Disuc said.

  “If you’ve finally figured that out it really is a breakthrough,” Horst said, snorting.

  “We did not understand some things that you do,” Ve’Disuc continued. “And we based your reactions to war on our reactions to war.”

  “Again, congratulations on your amazing insight that we view these things differently,” Horst said.

  “I do recognize human sarcasm,” Ve’Disuc said.

  “I see one of the race that blotted out most of my family and friends in an unprovoked attack,” Horst said.

  “Are you by any chance a... Jacksonian?”

  “Ah,” Horst said, nodding. “You found Meade’s essay. Congratulations, again. I said there was a point to opening up the hypernet system. Despite the fact that you keep trying to hack us through it.”

  “That is performed by renegades...”

  “Can it,” Horst said. “Or save it for the negotiating table. What is your point?”

  “That question, remains,” Ve’Disuc said.

  “And I’m considering whether to answer it,” Horst said. “Can you reveal why you want to know the answer?”

  “To be able to evaluate your relative political power,” Ve’Disuc said. “We have been having a hard time understanding why two Americans are relatively junior to a Pole. America is your world’s hyperpower. Still. Despite the damage from the war which has fallen on the United States more heavily than the rest of the world. Why have a Pole as the primary negotiator? Now we realize that different tribes within both polities have different roles depending upon whether their polities are at war or peace. Our initial analysis was that you were the...the term you use is ‘eminence gris.’ If this was a Japanese negotiating team that would be assured.

  “But now we discover that none of you may, in fact, have any political weight at all. Danforth assuredly has none. And we have, as yet, been unable to identify the exact nature of similar tribal spreads among the Poles. To understand what we are doing, to negotiate in truth, we have to understand humans and their politics.”

  “Well, you’re still not there,” Horst answered. “But, yes, I’m one of those rare Republicans in the State Department. And Eklit is from a similar faction in Poland. If truth were told, I have a better time communicating with Eklit than Danforth. We understand each other.”

  “Republican is synonymous with Jacksonian?”

  “No, but it’s close,” Horst said. “The basis of the Republican party is Jacksonians as the basis of the Democratic party is Wilsonians. There are members in both
.”

  “The Republicans are your War Party,” Ve’Disuc said.

  “I’m sure the Democrats think so,” Horst said with a snort. “But not as you would understand it, no. Get that thought out of your head. Have you been looking at the Second World War or First World War?”

  “The... Second was part of the analysis, yes. References.”

  “Look at the political party of the president in both wars.”

  “Democrats. So... You don’t have a war party?”

  “No,” Horst said.

  “But you have a war tribe.”

  “No,” Horst said, snorting again. “Seriously. No. Okay, close, but not quite the cigar. Jacksonians are about much more than war. They are, in fact, the basis of our small business community as well. Wilsonians and Madisonians tend to be in control of large businesses. Were. There are so few of both groups left they’re practically a vanishing species. If you’re trying to figure out if what we agree to is binding, yes. At least on Alliance countries and there are no Terran polities with space warfare capability other than Alliance countries.”

  “On binding agreements,” Ve’Disuc said.

  “Anything said here is decidedly non-binding.”

  “Understood,” Ve’Disuc said. “You brought up an agreement against non-military based attacks upon civilian population.”

  “The wording would have to be precise,” Horst said. “But an agreement upon no weapons of mass destruction attacks on non-military targets was one of our early negotiation points. We took it off the table because we realized you could barely get the concept. Aliens are alien.”

  “We have some interest in resuming that dialogue.”

  “Be great,” Horst said, surprised. “Why?”