ARMS For Eternity: (Book 8)
Page 1
ARMS
(Vol. 8)
For Eternity
By: Stephen Arseneault
"I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution."
Wernher von Braun
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Cover Art by Kaare Berg at:
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Cover Design by Elizabeth Mackey at: www.elizabethmackey.com
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Copyright 2017-2018 Stephen Arseneault. All Rights Reserved
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law, or in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
ARMS For Eternity (Vol. 8)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6
Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9
Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12
Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15
Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18
Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21
Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24
Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27
What's Next? Books
— Chapter 1 —
* * *
A week later, the Bangor landed on Domicile. A short walk had Tawn and Harris sitting in Bannis Morgan's office.
"You two just keep pulling out the wins."
Harris chuckled. "Don't know if I would call it that. Technically, I guess this did all come about because of us. Those were our bots and our captured ships. But a win?"
Tawn frowned. "We let Bax slip away again."
"But you got Croft. His grand plans have been permanently halted. For the first time in our history, we can now all function as a single government. There are no Earther worlds and no truce worlds, just Human worlds."
"Have the governors of those agreed to consolidate?" Harris asked.
"They have. Delegations from each are meeting in the capital as we speak. Have you been back to the Retreat?"
"Not since the fight. We've commed the colonel several times though. He says things are getting back to normal."
"Did he offer casualty numbers?"
"He did. There are only about forty-one hundred of us left."
"Time and again, you've been the difference between a free Domicile and us all being someone's property. We can't thank all of you enough for your sacrifices."
Tawn said, "We appreciate that, Mr. Morgan. And we appreciate all that you, the Bolemans, Sharvie, and countless other regulars have sacrificed. We benefit from this freedom just like you."
Bannis smiled. "Always the team players. When will our first shipment of processor cores arrive?"
"Fifty-eight hundred of them, tomorrow."
"Excellent. I have three hundred ships at the ready, with an equal number coming off the line in three days. By the end of next month we should be rolling out five thousand per month. In another two months, that number doubles and then two months after it will double again. The President has ordered a first run of two hundred fifty thousand units. A formidable force."
"That's great," Tawn said. "What's our timeframe for those?"
"Just over a year."
"Can we assume they'll be ordering gamma missiles as well?"
"All you can produce. And this time they want your new laser warheads too. If we can make it that full year without an invasion, we should be set from then on."
Harris chuckled. "Maybe you'll finally get to retire."
"Retirement is for those who have no goals, ambitions, or future. So long as my mind is sharp and my body able, I'll choose to be productive."
"Always with the work. Just be sure to take a break now and again. Humanity still needs leaders like you."
Bannis called in an aide: "Carl, have the Bolemans and associates settled into their new offices?"
"They have, sir. The assigned team is bringing them up to speed."
Bannis turned back. "My son, Grigg, will be coming in to take over the Banshee production personally. I'll be transferring my efforts to the research labs. That's where our friends are being placed."
Harris nodded. "I'm sure they'll love it there."
"I've tried repeatedly to bring Mr. Gaerten into the fold, but he insists on staying at Midelon. I was hoping to one day turn that entire research division over to him."
"He's happy where he is. I think the work he's doing with those bots is needed. We don't want them to one day go rogue on us. He has several updates for their programming he believes will prevent that. Once those are in, he wants to work on the hardware side to see what he can permanently restrict there."
A comm came in from President Armstrong. "Bannis, they there?"
"Sitting right here, sir."
"Good. Freely, Gruberg, I wanted your input on the Burrell out at Gondol."
Harris leaned forward. "Has something happened?"
"No, their repairs at that facility are finishing up. We're trying to determine what to do with them aside from just dropping in food."
"How many are we talking about?" Harris asked.
"Sixteen. So it's not a large crowd we have to deal with. And even though the Burrell are technically at war with us, these are civilian prisoners who I would one day like to see returned to their homes."
"You aren't talking about a trip to Burrell space, are you?"
"No. Not anytime soon. But we still have the issue of what do we do with these sixteen."
Tawn said, "Mr. President, we may have a solution."
Harris turned to face her. "We do?"
"The stasis pods on the Grindle. Sixteen will fit nicely until they can be repatriated. We won't even have to feed them."
Armstrong asked, "Is that possible?"
"It should be, sir. We brought one out of stasis and put him back in later. There are another seventeen pods on that ship. So long as they're functional, we could make use of them."
"I like this suggestion, Miss Freely. Will you take this on as a task to evaluate our options?"
"I will. I can have an answer for you after we get back."
The President nodded in approval. "Excellent. Someday I hope to hear the story of the Grindle and how you came by her."
"For now, sir, we'd prefer to keep the secrets of Midelon just that, secrets."
"Understood. You won't have any interference from my administration... or this Congress for that matter. I have one other matter before I go. I'm certain you're aware of the celebration coming up in a week. This will be a colony-wide event, and we'll be broadcasting from the presidential estate. I'd like the two of you to be there."
Tawn returned a half frown. "Slugs don't make the best of speakers, sir."
"Nonsense. Don't worry about what to say. I'll have my staff write something for you. You can keep it short if you so desire. But the people would like to hear from the heroes of humanity."
Harris chuckled. "Heroes of humanity."
"Something wrong or funny about that?"
Harris straightened up. "No, sir, just sounds like we're comic book or movie characters. The Heroes of Humanity... saving us all from the dangers of the stars."
Tawn said, "Don't mind him, sir. He's an idiot."
The President stared for several seconds before turning to an aide. "Heroes of humanity. Take that down. See what the team can do with that. Sorry, Mr. Gruberg, but this celebration is as much about restoring pride and confidence in our government as it is about celebrating our victory. We may push this hero angle a bit harder than you like, but it's a public relations opportunity we can't afford to pass up."
"If it gets the masses to come together, why would I stand in its way, sir?"
"Good. I think we're on the same page here. I'll see you two in a week. Mr. Morgan, I'll see you at tomorrow's briefing."
The comm closed.
Harris looked up. "You kind of ambushed us with that one."
Bannis smiled. "I knew the two of you would bristle at the thought of being part of a grand celebration. So there it is, one week from today you'll be paraded in front of everyone. Hope you don't have stage-fright."
"Trained out of us long ago, Mr. Morgan. We may not fear it, but we don't like it either. I'll be opting for the short speech myself."
Tawn stood. "We should get back to check on the Grindle and those pods."
A short while later, the Bangor landed on the grass outside the lab, where Alexander Gaerten was hard at work.
Harris came in the lab first. "Alex, how's production looking?"
"Production is running along perfectly. The androids are overseeing every aspect, which leaves me here to deal with my studies. I believe I've found a way to speed their reaction times while in a fight, but I hesitate to implement the programming changes for fear of you losing your edge."
"Uh, yeah, I'd prefer you leave that one out. That short hesitation on their part is something I count on. We lose that and we'll lose our ability to defeat them should they go rogue. Let's tuck that update away into a deep dark void and leave it there."
"Consider it done. Are you set for next week's celebration?"
"We are now," said Tawn. "The President cornered us into giving a live speech. Neither of us are thrilled with it, but we'll do what's asked of us."
"The rest of the population needs their heroes, Miss Freely. You and Gruberg qualify. Take the inclusion in this event as recognition of all the sacrifices the Biomarines have made for our freedom. You've stated that you were trained not to seek praise, but you weren't trained to not accept it when freely given. So take your moment in front of the cameras as a salutation to all slugs and stumps."
The week before the celebration passed quickly. Tawn and Harris landed in the capital city on a special tarmac that serviced the presidential estate. A small army of guards escorted the duo into a wing of the estate and then guided each to a separate dressing room.
Military dress uniforms had been pulled and adorned with numerous medals, half of which had just been issued by the President during the prior week. Tailors accompanied them as they dressed in order to make final tweaks before being presented to the public.
Harris was the first out into the hallway, with Tawn emerging less than a minute later.
Harris nodded. "You clean up good for a Marine."
"Kind of feel like a show-dog right now. All these colors on my chest are excessive."
"You earned them all, Freely. The public needs to see us in all our glory."
"These six were earned. These six are PR."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because they were awarded to us for deeds done when we weren't even active service."
"Irrelevant given the circumstances. They do look good on there."
"You think?"
Harris chuckled. "Yep. Anything that distracts from that slug face."
"Keep it up and you’re gonna get a face slug."
An aide led them down a hall to an elevator. The elevator dropped fifteen stories before an underground shuttle arrived to whisk them away to the main house. Another elevator ride up had them in the President's residence. An aide guided them into a room where Armstrong was standing, looking out a window.
"Comm wormholes are open to every colony feed," the President stated before turning around. "Look out at the crowd. The lawn and thoroughfare are crammed with bodies going five kilometers back."
"We're speaking in front of them?" Harris asked.
"Relax. You won't find a hostile crowd out there. Even Croft's pacifists are there in numbers, feeling betrayed by their one-time leader. Given the fight that happened between the automated force and the Burrell, even though we lost our entire fleet, those same pacifists are grateful for the sacrifices you and the others made on their behalf."
Tawn pointed between them. "We're not nervous, sir, just not much for public speaking."
"You've practiced the short speeches we had written for you?"
Tawn nodded. "Have it locked away in memory, sir."
Harris gave a wry smile. "I may have made a few tweaks to mine."
Tawn sighed. "You aren't going to embarrass us, are you?"
"Maybe. But it's my speech. I can say what I want."
Armstrong patted him on the shoulder. "Whatever you have, I'm certain it will be fine. Now come with me. There's a long line of politicians looking to glad-hand with you. And they all have their press teams waiting to get that 'I support the Biomarines' shot."
As they walked, Tawn quietly asked, "You aren't planning some big stupid joke are you?"
"Maybe. You have a problem with that?"
"Given your comedy track record? Yes. I think I'm going to insist on going first."
"Fine by me. Just means your speech will be forgotten."
Tawn tilted her head to one side in thought. "Hmm. I guess I really don't care. Go ahead and say whatever you want to say. Just don't take your shirt off or something stupid like that."
"Couldn't do that. The ladies would be rushing the stage."
"Throwing rotten fruit maybe."
"If it sets your mind at ease, it's not a joke. It's a patriotic speech."
"You planning to inspire the crowds?"
"Actually, I am. We need to pull together as a people and build a fleet as fast as we can. I hate to say Bax was right, but the Frizoid or Burrell could show at any time. And what do we have to defend ourselves?"
"Bannis seems to think we're ramping up nicely."
"Bannis has a long view. I have an immediate view. I'd like to see fifty thousand ships commissioned next week, not the end of this year."
"We're at risk, true, but things are moving. And what intel we have points to both species being occupied."
Harris let out a huff. "Intel? That's 100 percent guesswork. Until we have specific, on-the-ground intel from inside either of those empires, all we have are guesses."
"We can't build ships faster than we can."
"There's always room to improve. And who's to say the last hundred ships we produce aren't the ones that would win us a final victory?"
"Now who's guessing?"
The group rounded a corner only to enter a grand ballroom. Close to two hundred politicians and dignitaries stretched out in a line that ran the perimeter of the room.
Armstrong gestured to the right. "We'll start over here. Just be your pleasant selves."
Tawn chuckled. "Pleasant selves... hello... hello... hello..."
The march along the first wall took twenty minutes. Circling the room itself, most of an hour. When the parade of greets and shakes had finished, the two Biomarines were escorted to the balcony outside that looked down upon the waiting crowd.
The President moved out to a waiting microphone, waving his hands to a cheering crowd for several minutes before gesturing for them to settle.
"My fellow Humans…!" The crowd roared. Another calming gesture followed after a full minute. "Today we celebrate what we hope to be the last w
ar ever fought between Humans." Applause again followed. "Today we celebrate a great victory over an invader. The species known as the Burrell may be responsible for us coming to this sector of the galaxy. They may be responsible for our being able to travel great distances through wormholes. Heck, they may even be responsible for the terraforming of this planet to make it accommodating and livable for all humanity…
"But the Burrell do not own us. The Burrell do not own this space we call home. And the Burrell may have created this situation, but the Burrell are not the solution. Humans are the solution. We are a free people, now united in a common defense..."
The President's speech went on for forty minutes before Tawn was called to the mic and introduced. Several minutes later, the roaring sea of people quieted.
"I'll keep this short…" Polite applause followed. "OK, my fellow Domers and Earthers, we now unite under one banner as one people. Moving forward, the term Domer will have less and less meaning. As will Earther. Today we are all Humans. Humans who have sacrificed much to get to where we are. Let us celebrate being Human. Let us build a fortress for humanity and defend ourselves from the stars. Thank you."
A man down in the crowd yelled out. "Freely! Bite me!"
The crowd laughed.
Tawn pulled the mic into her hand and leaned over the rail. "How about I come down there and punch your face!"
Cheers, applause, and laughter spread across the ocean of bodies.
Tawn, assisted by the President, placed the mic back in the holder with a scowl on her face. Looking up, Harris was sporting a smirk.
She stepped up with a whisper. "You did that, didn't you?"
Harris nodded as he chuckled. "Cost me five hundred credits. Took me an hour in the bars to find someone willing to do it."
Tawn pointed. "You'll pay for that later."
"Yeah. But it was worth it."
The stump stepped up to the mic. "Hello, fellow Earthlings!"
The crowd went mostly silent with somewhat confused looks.
"That's right, Earthlings. We're all descended from the planet Earth. Whether you're a Domer or Earther or Bellan or from Blewitz, we're all originally from the one and the same planet… Earth. You've all studied it in school. You know our origins, and those origins are what unites us. We are all Earthlings."