by Don Foxe
“While we sweat our butts off saving an entire planet, the people back on Earth think we’re getting our asses handed to us by the Zenge, the Mischene, and the Fellen,” Mags said. She pushed her tray away in disgust.
“I though the METS suits provided cooling,” Adele remarked.
“Figure of speech, Adele,” Elie said, unable to contain a small smile at the avatar’s continued child-like take on the world around her. It struck the Spanish warrior as a bit of a quirk, considering the world-wise nature of Space Fleet’s only other avatar, Genna.
She received no return comment by Adele, so she changed the subject by asking, “Any recent news regarding Captain Cooper’s recovery?”
“I thought you would have been told,” Adele replied, her head tilted, as if she listened for a secret message. “Someone tried to murder him.”
Five stunned voices demanded more information, all at the same time, all pressing in on the 99’s avatar, forcing the young woman to cringe at the assault.
“Stop!” Elie ordered, loudly. “Give her space,” she demanded. In a softer tone, “Adele, please tell us what happened.”
Mollified, but wary of another outburst, Adele said, “The details are classified. I do not believe even Captain Harrington is aware of the attempt. Rosy [the 99’s AI] was informed by Kennedy, who received her information from the communications computer system on EMS2. This is the first time I have spoken of it.”
“That’s fine,” Elie said, attempting to reduce the tension. “But where the information came from isn’t important at the moment. What happened, and is Captain Cooper okay?”
“Dr. Reinhardt, the geneticist who developed Genna and myself, has been working with the doctors on EMS2 to help Captain Cooper recover from his wounds. Normally, the Captain is never alone with anyone, with the exceptions of Admiral Pamela Patterson and Dr. Nathan Trent. But Dr. Reinhardt visited during a very slow time of evening, actually early morning. It appears he injected a dangerous bacteria into Captain Cooper’s IV.”
“Appears?” Mags asked.
“The monitors in the medical bay, including those in the Captain’s room, were turned off. There is no video evidence of exactly what Dr. Reinhardt did or did not do.”
“Then why do you think Reinhardt attempted to murder Coop?” Elie asked.
“When the computer was told to shut down all monitors, an alert was sent to Kennedy. She had placed a request for an alert if anything out of the ordinary occurred anywhere near Captain Cooper. The 109 was docked at EMS2. Kennedy woke Genna. Genna sent alerts to Admiral Patterson and to Security Chief Claflin.”
“And?” Elie gently urged.
“Genna arrived first. She surprised Dr. Reinhardt, who held a syringe, later found to have contained a genetically modified bacteria, DNA coded for Daniel Marcel Cooper.
I am not aware of the exact sequence of events that followed, but Dr. Reinhardt was knocked unconscious, the IV was pulled from Captain Cooper’s arm, and his immune system was able to fight off the bacteria. Somewhat due to the dosage being less, thanks to Genna’s actions.”
“Coop?” Mags asked.
“Moved to a secure, and secret, location on Earth. He has not regained consciousness, even though his wounds appear to have healed. His brain functions all appear normal. Reduced activity, but normal otherwise.”
Everyone took a collective deep breath, followed by a sigh of released anxiety.
“Reinhardt?” Anwar asked.
“In custody, but he swears he found the syringe and Genna did not give him ample time to explain before hitting him.”
“Genna was first to arrive?” Fitz asked. “Where was security? Where was Patterson?”
“Chief Claflin says the request from Genna did not arrive until later. He believes whoever hacked the medical computer, also created glitches in security and communication systems. Admiral Patterson was in Toronto. Members of the UEC Board of Governors are demanding her resignation, and she had to appear to testify.”
“Oh, my aching head,” Mags said, dropping her head to the table’s top. “Has the world gone completely mad while we’ve been on Fell?”
ON EARTH: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
“The 109 has docked at EMS2,” Trent said. “I assume your orders?”
“They were,” Patterson replied. “We need to move Coop, and I want it done by people I trust.”
The two conversed while having coffee in Space Fleet HQ’s Officers’ Club. Patterson was unconcerned about eavesdropping. She brought a compact, but very powerful jammer with her. Nothing within five-yards of the devise could be scanned, videoed or overheard.
“Don’t you think you should spend your time dealing with the Board of Governors, and let Benny Claflin handle Coop’s transfer?”
“Nothing I say will change what the Governors will do. They want my resignation, or they will simply relieve me of command and kick my ass out the door,” she said. “I’m stalling in order to make sure Coop is safe before I vacate the office. EMS2 security has already been compromised. I need you to move him.”
“Me?” Trent asked. “I’m Head of Sciences, and my teams are working around the clock trying to figure out why he hasn’t come out of his stupor, but I can’t walk in and walk out with him. And where would I take him. He needs a secure military location with the latest medical facilities.”
“I think military facilities are not the safest place for him under the present political conditions,” the Fleet Admiral said. “Elliott Fairchild’s retreat is being prepared.”
“Fin Island? The island he was given by the Gitga’ata after he donated hospitals and schools for their people following the pandemic.”
“It’s remote, protected by Fairchild Industries, with computer and operational systems more advanced than anything the UEC has. There are top-notch medical research facilities on site. Elliott wants to help.”
“Okay. You have a place to take him. How do you expect me to get him?” the world’s most famous scientist asked.
“You will have a special team to assist.”
ON EMS2: 2:00PM UTC. THE NEXT DAY
“Where are the guards?” Trent asked.
“Kennedy had them reassigned,” Genna replied.
“They left without replacements?”
“The replacements are inside with Coop. They are transferring him to a hover-gurney.”
“The med-station alarms will sound when they disconnect him from the monitors and IV.”
“For the Head of Sciences, you don’t stay very current on medical facilities, do you?” Genna asked. The development of her personality included a sharp tongue, and little regard for positions or titles. The time the avatar spent with Captain Daniel Cooper produced obvious results. Independence and a growing confidence among the qualities some found unbecoming a bio-engineered construct.
“I have a lot of responsibilities, Counselor. Medical is not one of them,” Trent replied. Having dealt with Coop for decades, sparring with a protege presented little difficulty.
“No wires,” Genna said. “The IV is the only actual line connection, and they will leave it on, replacing it with one we borrowed from supplies. Kennedy has asked the med-op computer to continue to send Coop’s vitals to the station monitors. No alerts. No concerns. We selected this time because lunch is over, rounds have been completed, and no one will stick a head in his room until after four PM.”
The door to the private room opened. Lt. Heidi McCormack, dressed in the uniform of a Space Fleet Military Police lieutenant, walked ahead of the floating gurney. LCMD Henry Smith, MSD’s Command Supply Officer, pushed the stretcher from behind. Dressed as an MP, corporal rank.
This was the team Admiral Patterson trusted. Nathan Trent, Genna Bouvier, Heidi McCormack, Henry Brown, and Kennedy, the 109’s AI.
“Corporal?” Trent asked.
“Only MP uniform I could find big enough,” the very large man replied.
The trip from the medical section to a waiting private s
huttle docked at an exterior pier was remarkably uneventful. Any security checkpoints had been issued pre-approval through Kennedy’s connections. Coop was identified as a wounded Specialist back from Fell being transported to the med center in Toronto. A common occurrence of late that would raise no questions.
The shuttle belonged to Trent Industries, and Trent had flown it from the surface himself. All ID markers, and EMS2 records regarding the ship, contents, and flight plans would be scrubbed. Shuttle records would show LCMD Brown and Lt. McCormack flew to Toronto to inspect supplies being shipped to MSD by new providers. The time between their departure, and eventual arrival at Fleet storage, dressed in their own uniforms, would be explained as sightseeing.
Counselor Bouvier’s trip to the planet was classified as personal. She was visiting Trista Korr, who lived in Toronto with her mother.
Like the trip from med to dock, the flight from EMS2 to Fin Island proved uneventful. The most difficult moment came after the shuttle landed on Fin Island. A medical team awaited to take Coop. His four friends were hesitant to give him into the hands of strangers. The presence of Mara Trent instantly relieved their anxiety.
She greeted the team members, surprising everyone, except her husband, by shaking hands and calling each by name. She had never met the three before.
“Did any of you know Coop’s father, Peter, rescued me during the pandemic?” she asked.
Three negatives and one “I did,” from her husband.
“You don’t count, Nate,” she said, tapping Trent on the tip of his nose. “Elliott called me after Pam called him. He wanted someone he knew well to be nearby when he awoke.” She did not say, ‘if he awoke,’ which was noted and appreciate. “Elliott does not get around as much, and was afraid he might not be available at the right time.”
Fears allayed, the team shuttled for Toronto to complete the official reasons for their visit to Earth. They would meet later and officially return to EMS2 aboard a regular Fleet transport.
Nathan Trent reported to Pamela Patterson, and Fleet Admiral Patterson turned in her resignation.
ELSEWHERE - THE FOLLOWING DAY
“Patterson is behind it,” Hadritak said. “How else could Daniel Cooper disappear?”
“Agreed,” Cancer replied. “But we have no way of proving it. Besides, she’s gone, and that is the important point. I will keep her under surveillance. Sooner or later, we will find Cooper. As soon as the UEC makes the changes at Space Fleet official, I will have Reinhardt released. Then cancel Operation Crossroads.”
“Do not move to recall the mission,” the Arab said. “We do not want to appear overly anxious. You must be supportive, until more outrage has built. It gives us more opportunities to create animosity. The angrier people are with aliens, the better for our long-term plans.”
CHAPTER 52
Thirteen months from the day Fleet Admiral Patterson and Daniel Cooper were granted permission to create the broad outline for the mission, Fell was officially declared free.
Combining those killed during the first recon by Angel 7, with the number of Zenge and Mischene enemy combatants eliminated in space, in the sky, and on the surface of the planet, equalled 400,000 invaders eradicated on the planet.
Sixty-seven Mischene had been captured or surrendered. The Mischene were held on a Parrian cargo hauler, but under better conditions that the previous prisoners. Surprisingly, 3,890 Zenge surrendered. The Zenge were housed on a small island off the super continent. Most were older, male and female, and did not display the religious fervor of the younger members of their species.
It took active persuasion to prevent the Fellen from eliminating the Mischene and Zenge prisoners. Elie and Anton made it known any action against enemy prisoners of war would result in harsh punishment. Harsh as in Anton would personally kill anyone from any race, species, or tribe that harmed a POW.
Over 600,000 Fell died, either during the invasion or subsequent battles to reclaim the planet. This represented thirty-percent of the planet’s pre-invasion population. Just as the pandemic on Earth forced very different cultures to come together to rebuild a unified planet, the war brought the tribes closer. The planet had operated without a central government, allowing tribes to market their own valuables, create trade routes, and develop partners.
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, a
nd 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.
