by Don Foxe
The tribes shared the planet, but often with strained relationships. There was talk now of a central government and a military presence culled from warriors of all tribes. At the very least, there was new respect for each other.
One of Storm’s mothers and two siblings died in the fighting. Her birth mother, another mother, and all the other children were located and brought to Harmony. Her father joined them.
6,058 military personnel died freeing Fell. Another 14,612 received injuries in battle. The AS and CH tribes erected a monument to the service personnel of Earth who died so very far from home. Every name inscribed on a black monolith that rose one-hundred feet high, and placed at the northern edge of Harmony.
Fleet Admiral Singletary declared Operation Crossroads a success, and concluded. He ordered all assets returned to Earth with haste.
One month later, a wormhole gate was near enough to make interstellar travel viable.
Star, her crew, and the rest of Sky’s family, along with the Choenor and crew gated in from Rys. Followed shortly thereafter by representatives of Rys, including Yauni. He was transported from Earth to Rys, with his family and retinue, aboard the SF PT-99 months earlier.
The Rys delegation arrived to honor the actions of the Earth fighters, and as a show of solidarity with the Fellen.
Until tribes could agree on laws and a constitution, and elections organized, Askiiumterel, Storm’s father, acted as the main contact for visitors to Fell. He met with Yauni at his family’s tent-home in Harmony. Trade was officially renewed between the two worlds, and Fell was unofficially, but most assuredly a member of the new alliance.
In the following weeks, Fellen space ships that had escaped or located off-world when the Zenge/Mischene invaded, returned. Word was spreading through the galaxy of Fell’s victory, and that Zenge were puppets of the Mischene.
One of the returning ships carried Sky’s brother who had been working on communications tech installs in another system. She now had her entire family reunited and under a single roof.
Elie and Anton met with the command team in the conference room aboard the Star Gazer.
“We have been informed a contingent of the volunteers have resigned their commissions, and intend to remain on Fell after we depart for Earth,” Elie informed the group, most of whom already knew. “We have received notice from 12,663 combat-designated personnel and 4,132 support personnel. Those choosing to remain include Lt. Colonel Cynthia Shah, Captain Ari Fitzsimmons, Captain Mary Margaret Moore, and Dr. Hiro Kimura.”
The meeting broke into a few minutes of happy congratulations, and sadness over the coming separation of friends and colleagues. Elie allowed the hubbub to ebb before continuing.
“After delivering the returning personnel and equipment to Earth, Commander Cornitsch and Lt. Commander Sonoritsch will take the Star Gazer to MSD. The space-fold array, the STORM-HATCH system, and armaments will be removed. The actions by the volunteers from Osperantue will not be forgotten on Fell, or on Earth”
The dour Cornitsch and the straight-lace Sonoritsch gave each other a congratulatory fist-pump and thank you’s to all present.
“Captain Hollisvey has the same order for Morgan. While he in the only Pagoran on this mission, he has represented his people with valor and distinction.”
The quiet alien smiled and nodded as he accepted confirmations of his importance by the others.
Elie relayed news from Earth. “Admiral Singletary informs me the Destroyer Class space ship is complete and undergoing initial flight trials. It has been upgraded with the technology and innovations that resulted from our alliances and our experiences. Destroyer class starships will be named for stars in the Andromeda galaxy, and our first is the Space Fleet (SF) Destroyer Class (DC) 1A. the Pegasus.
“Admiral Singletary also informed me that six months ago work on the second D class starship was halted and a redesign initiated. The success of Angel Wing on Fell did not go unnoticed by the Joint Military Command or the UEC. It will require an extension of eight months of refits, but the ship is being converted into Earth’s first C class. The C is for Carrier. Special hangers and support systems have been configured so she can be the home to a squadron of six fighters. Those six new fighters are being built at EMS2 and will be the next generation, designation Spirit Wing. The Carrier will be designated as SF CC 101, the Elliott S. Fairchild.”
There was polite applause, an appreciation for the fact that the UEC was going to recognize a living person in such a manner. An extremely rare occurrence for a military vessels to be so named.
“The officers and service personnel returning to Earth will be given every opportunity to apply for assignment with these new assets. Singletary assures me anyone who volunteered for Operation Crossroads will receive priority when positions are filled.”
Elie held her head high. “There will be more meeting, professional and social, before we complete the work needed to transfer everyone and everything returning to the Star Gazer and Morgan. Anton and I want to take this opportunity to make sure that every person in this room realizes the accomplishments made on Fell, and the essential roles you each played. It has been our honor to serve with you. It will forever be our honor to call you friends.”
ASTER FARUM 3
The Office Of Governor General Soren.
A knock at his door had Soren looked up from the reports he was parsing. “Enter,” he said. With the guards outside, he knew no one posing a danger would be coming to visit.
His aide, Wandi Eskil, an older, but attractive Mischene female, entered and closed the door behind her.
“The witch from Devisator is here to see you, Governor,” she informed him with obvious disgust. “She is in the reception area.”
“She is not a witch,” Soren responded, amused. “She is ugly as one, and her kind make some interesting concoctions, but there is nothing supernatural about the Devee. They just have a history of potion experimentation. They trade their potions the same as the Pagoran once traded wormhole charts. Send her in.”
Eskil left to summon the witch, happy for the absence from her reception area, but unhappy about the Devee alone with her boss.
The Supreme Governor General of the Aster system rose to greet his guest.
“Sypha Chai of the Devee,” he said, and waved his hand at a chair before his desk. “You are always welcome on Aster Farum 3.”
The tall woman, dressed in black with blood red stripes down the flowing sleeves of her billowing top, and blood red shoes that peaked from beneath a flowing black skirt, took the offered chair. Her hair in dreadlocks, and a gold ring pierced the corner of her left eyebrow. She had small eyes and a long nose. Her lips thin and tight. She placed a metal case beside her chair.
“Supreme Governor Soren, always a pleasure to see you each year,” the woman said.
“You have the tea?” he asked. His eyes moved quickly to the case, and then back to her.
“Of course,” she replied. “I assume the trade goods are being delivered to my ship.”
“As we speak,” Soren said. “Plus thirty Caulvene from Aster Farum 2 for your experiments. A mix of male and female of varying ages. I believe there is even a new born among them.”
The Devee transferred the case to her lap and opened the locks in some fashion Soren could not make out. She turned it around to show him the contents. Twelve small vials of yellow liquid encased in foam.
“For you and your eleven chosen. My own special Longgevi-tea blend. Mix it with warm water, add a little syrup, just for taste, and you gain another year of slowed aging. What has it been now, Supreme Governor, one-hundred years we have been partners?”
“Nearly, Sypha Chai,” Soren agrees. “It has made me and my chosen worshipped and feared among all the races of the Aster system. It is also a closely guarded secret, yes, Chai?”
“I make this blend only for you, your eleven, and your son,” Chai assured him. “It will always be a secret. Besides, I have only been able to create a fo
rmula that works for Mischene. Pity. I would be the most powerful woman in the universe if I could unlock the key to making Longgevi-tea successful for others.”
“Speaking of Atticus,” Soren interrupted the Devee’s thoughts of glory. “I think you might miss your next appointment with my son. I fear the Prophet’s lifespan may need to be shortened. I will, of course, purchase his vial.”
“I am so sorry, Supreme Governor,” Chai said. “I already visited Zenge Prime and delivered the Prophet’s blend. Had I known sooner, I would have chosen a different route,” the chemist said, adding a bow of her head.
“It is as it is,” Soren said, softly. “Please plan on stopping by Aster Farum 3 before Zenge Prime next year.”
“Of course, Supreme Governor. I must return to Devisator now. My experiments await.”
The Sypha left, and Eskil returned. “Admiral Lexton is waiting.”
“Send him in,” Soren placed the contents from the metal case in his wall safe. He was anxious for his tea, but would wait for a more private time.
Lexton, tall and thin, with darker skin than Soren, the same white hair, cut much, much shorter. He wore his traditional black uniform with silver braid. He took the chair the Sypha vacated. He did so without waiting for permission.
“My people have analyzed the data from the attack on Fell by the Earthmen,” he said. “The launch had to remain far away, near enough the wormhole to escape, but we still have more information than we did before.”
“Such as?” Soren asked.
“The Earth space fighters defeating the ships I dispatched to collect the Osperantue cruise ship were not simply lucky. Earth forces are well-trained, strategically smart, and extremely determined. They most certainly possess space-fold travel, which alone makes them more advanced than any other world in the known universe. The white-noise distributors our scientists created to overcome their sonic force fields were successful, but worthless. The ships operated at such speeds, and with such precision they didn’t need a defensive shield. I would give a battalion for one pilot as capable as any of those on these data tapes,” the Admiral groused.
“Let’s not give the enemy too much credit, Admiral,” Soren warned. “We need to keep perspective. We are the Mischene Empire. We will defeat every obstacle that stands in our way. Please keep that in mind.”
“They have adapted the sub-atomic particle weapon they used for planetary defense on Rys for their ships,” Lexton continued, unfazed by the Governor’s comments. “Six three-man fighters destroyed, and please keep count, Supreme Governor, two of our battleships, four of our escort destroyers, a Class One Convoy Battle Cruiser and the plasma cannon emplacements on the surface, while suffering the loss of two of their own.
“The entire strategic air cover for Fell eliminated in a matter of hours,” Lexton said. “If this Earth decides to turn its attention on the Aster system, we will be in a fight for our existence.”
“Anything else?” Soren asked calmly.
“They appear to have an alliance with the Rys planet and access to their crystals. They may soon hold Fell, and access to the technology hidden in the bunkers that we have not been able to break into. We have no idea the total number of ships or types they may possess. We know they have at least one larger battle ship. It was used in their solar system and in the Quentle system. They did not bother to bring it to Fell. They could have a fleet of ships capable of space-fold, with weapons capable of shattering force fields. They may have the ability to unite all the known worlds against us. Would that be enough, Supreme Governor?”
“Watch your tone, Baynard. We are friends and I value your insight and opinions, but I am, as you say, Supreme Governor General of the Aster system,” Soren warned his chief military commander in the same calm manner as before. “What we need now is cool heads, and a new plan.”
“Your strategists wanted Zenge to attack low-tech worlds in the opposite direction of our current mission scheme. They thought we could lure the Earthmen away from Aster system, and maybe into a trap. You no longer agree?” the Admiral asked with less vitriol.
“Strategists are good at war-games, Baynard. What we face now is more political, and I believe I am more deft at those tactics,” Soren replied. “It is time we made better use of our Prophet. I believe we can begin a campaign designed to convince people the Zenge are under his spell. He is supported by a faction of Mischene radicals. Radicals with sufficient power to keep the loyalists underground. Until we could amass the strength to defeat them, and the Prophet’s insidious plans of galactic genocide.”
“This is why you’ve kept Atticus at arm’s length for so many decades.” Lexton made a statement, not a question. “In case something like this ever occurred. You would have a scapegoat, a distraction for others to vent their rage upon.”
“It always pays in politics to plan for many contingencies,” Soren replied. “The politician who can plan long term always maintains the advantage. My son, my own flesh has taken the virtues of the sacred Tahbita and twisted them into some insane religion. A cult that in no way reflects the values of true Mischene. His actions will be a torment for me to carry for all my years to come,” the Governor spoke with conviction and sadness, preparing for his upcoming performances.
“And the Mischene’s manifest destiny?” the Admiral asked. “Do we give up all of our goals to avoid war with this Earth?”
“We give up nothing, Admiral, except a little time,” Soren answered. “We need time to learn more about humans. We need access, so we can discover the secrets of space-fold travel, their weapons, and whatever else they may have that we will take and use to conquer the galaxy.”
“And once we have done these things?”
“We destroy Earth, and retake all they have taken from us. We make every world who stands against us pay the ultimate price. In the end, when all is done, only the Mischene are the chosen of the Creator, and we alone will rule.”
“How do we start this new plan?” the Admiral inquired, more convinced now than before of an opportunity to defeat the Earth forces.
“They have Fellen and Rys alliances already,” Soren said, getting up to walk as he talked. He began to formulate his plan on the move. “This we surmise from their defense of Rys and their appearance on Fell. But they also have ties to Osperantue. They intervened and prevented the taking of the cruise ship. That same cruise ship appeared after they wiped out our air and space assets on Fell. Yes, Baynard. I receive reports. Sometimes before you do.”
He stopped and gazed upon the closed fist emblem on the wall. The representation of the Fist of Tahbita. The core group believed and schemed for Mischene supremacy.
“You will send ships and troops to Osperantue. Loyal Mischene will free the planet from the Zenge marauders and the traitors who invaded by order of their false Prophet.”
“Exactly how do we accomplish this?” Admiral Lexton asked. “We can convince the Mischene aboard the ships to give us entry. Those who resist can be taken, but once the surprise is gone, how do we defeat the Zenge army on the surface? They are armed as we are, and they fight until death. I would be sending my people into a firestorm, and we will need those assets later.”
“But, dear Baynard, you forget the lesson learned from the first world the Zenge were set loose upon,” Soren said.
Recalling Zenge history, Lexton said, “They wiped out the entire population of the planet in bloodlust.”
“We inserted shock nodes into their communications collars,” Soren reminded him. “I do believe they have a death level setting.”
“We take over our own ships and we eliminate the Zenge,” Lexton said. “The Osperantue races will see us as saviors. They send word to other worlds of our triumph over the evil Prophet and the misguided Mischene radicals.”
“Don’t do it too quickly,” Soren warned. “Take your time. Let the races on Osperantue suffer at the hands of the Zenge, even as your valiant soldiers strive to save them. Order your commanders to use the death sett
ings when no one but loyal Mischene are around to see.”
“And fire lasers into every dead Zenge, just in case someone checks,” Lexton added.
“That’s the spirit, Admiral. You have the concept and the vision, now you need to make plans to accomplish your mission. I will make sure Atticus is kept in the dark. I will also need to select a few Mischene martyrs. We will need to make a show of retaking Aster Farum 3 from the fanatics. I’m afraid some of our friends may have to die to make it convincing.”
“Collateral damage occurs in every war,” Lexton said as he stood. “I’m sure their sacrifices will be rewarded by the Creator. What about the other planets and the factories on the moons? If anyone enters Aster system, they will see we still control those places. Does your plan include releasing all we have accomplished?”
“No, certainly not,” Soren replied. “We must maintain our control of the system, and we must continue to build our war machine. We will keep Aster system quarantined. If anyone asks, we tell them the Prophet’s fanatics, Mischene and Zenge, in those locations are too entrenched for us to move against without, as you say, too much collateral damage.
“We will say our ships blockade the system to prevent the evil here from spreading, and to stop the Prophet from sending reinforcements. It would be incredibly dangerous for ships to enter the Aster system until we regain total control.
Soren ended the meeting. “Admiral, you take care of the Osperantue operation. I will mount the propaganda war.”
Lexton exited. Soren was left alone with his thoughts and plots. He gazed up at the portrait of himself, standing tall and proud, white mane blowing in the winds of change.
“Yes, rewarded by the Creator,” he repeated to himself, staring at his image.
EARTH
Hadritak sat. Guy Arcand, UEC representative from Canada stood at the window, looking across the UEC complex. Arcand would be named the head of the Board of Governors within days.
“The people supported the decision to help liberate Fell,” Arcand began. “But when reports of casualties started coming in, and the number of humans dying mounted, those same people began to question our decision to fight for aliens. News reports gave people a bad taste for the conflict. Happening one-trillions miles away, made it more distasteful.”
