by Saxon Andrew
Jimmy glanced at the Urrik mothers holding their babies in the front row, “And if the order included your new mothers to go as well?”
Leit’s eyes narrowed, “They would go.”
“And if their babies were ordered to be taken with them?”
Leit’s expression turned to little more than rage, “THEY WOULD GO AS WELL!!”
“And if I ordered you to go out into space and crash your ships into each other? Would you do it?”
Leit stared at Jimmy and Reddy said, “We would.”
Jimmy nodded, “Because all of you would have no choice but to do as you’re told. Having no choices is not freedom. We have not given you freedom when you are totally under our control.”
Ed jumped in the conversation, “But those of us in the military have to follow our orders! We aren’t free to do as we want. That’s part of being a warrior.”
Jimmy looked at Ed, “When you decided to bring the first group of Urriks to Earth, I asked you if you were insane and said it was crazy to do it.” Every Urrik in the gathering gasped. “If you were a Urrik Pilot, you wouldn’t have even challenged me. You would be forced to do as you’re directed. But you did bring them, because you had the freedom to express your thoughts and disagree with me. You said it was the right thing to do. When there is no freedom, there is no right and wrong, there is only the orders you’re given. You don’t have a choice of doing the right thing.”
“That still happens in war, Jimmy.”
Jimmy looked at Ed and smiled, “Ed, if you and Jillian decided to move out of your current quarters and build a house in the valley, like many couples have done, could you do it?” Ed stared at Jimmy for a moment, and then nodded. “Or if you wanted to move to one of the three cities, could you do that?”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties.”
“And if you wanted to improve your residence, would you ask permission?”
“Jimmy, what are you saying?”
Jimmy looked at the hangars and said, “All of the Urriks are still living in the hangars we assigned to them. They’ve not been made more comfortable or improved in any way.” Jimmy looked at Leit, “Why is that?”
Leit said, “You’ve not told us we can change them.”
Ed’s face showed his shock and Jimmy smiled, “I think you see it now, Ed. We are not at war here and the Urrik function like we are. They do nothing without being told to do it; they are not free. You and I are no different than their previous masters.”
“Yes, you are!”
“No, Leit, we are not. Freedom means you don’t have to ask to make your life better; you just do it.” Jimmy swept his arm over the huge gathering, “Every one of you here are waiting for us to tell you what to do. And none of you will even make a suggestion that would make the situation better.” Jimmy looked at Ed, “During the last conflict, our Strikers were pretty much passive observers. Leit’s Hitters won the day and our pilots were demoralized by not having any part in the victory.”
Ed sighed, “I just didn’t know how to use them in concert with the Hitters.”
Jimmy nodded, “I suspect Leit knew how to use them. I imagine he knew several ways to include them in the conflict.”
Ribby, one of Leit’s Commanders said, “Yes, there was several ways to use them.” Leit looked at Ribby as he said, “We discussed it before the battle. That’s why you wanted them to draw them in, they were going to get in the way otherwise.”
Jimmy looked at Leit, “Even though you knew our ships could have been used more efficiently, you said nothing.”
Leit looked at Ed and turned back to Jimmy, “We were given our plan.”
“And you remained silent knowing it wasn’t a good one because a master can’t be challenged.” Leit slowly nodded. Jimmy looked at Ed, “Did you ask Leit about helping you develop the plan?” Ed stared at Jimmy and then shook his head. “Perhaps that was because you didn’t trust he was smart enough to add anything to it. But I think it’s clear that the Urriks here are not lacking intelligence and, in the ways of war, they far exceed our experience. It’s all they’ve ever done. But they had no freedom to use that experience…and they don’t now!”
“What are you saying?” Ed asked.
“They say we’ve given them freedom and tonight that will happen! You are promoted to Admiral and Leit will assume your position as Commodore. I hope you use him wisely in the future.”
The gathering started questioning each other what this meant as Ed stared at Jimmy, then he nodded. Finally, the crowd grew quiet as Leit asked, “What does this mean?”
“I am you Supreme Master and you are bound by my orders, right?” Leit nodded. Jimmy looked out at the gathering and said very deliberately, “I am ordering every Urrik on this planet that they will never, ever, accept another master and that includes myself and Ed. You are not bound by anyone except yourselves.”
“But…it’s the only way we know how to live.”
“Leit, you’re going to have to learn a new way; you’ve grown stronger mentally since you arrived and you can think for yourselves. You are learning the difference between right and wrong and that will be what guides you.”
“I don’t understand.”
Jimmy lowered his eyes, “If you are totally free to do as you want and we order you to do something you think will endanger the Urriks on our world; would you attack us?”
Ribby exclaimed, “NO! WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!!”
Jimmy looked at Ribby, “Why not? You would be defending your home.”
Ribby was silent for a moment and said, “This is your home. You invited us in.”
Jimmy smiled and said, “Leit, you have a great commander here.”
Leit nodded and said, “If we were free to act, and something like that happened, we would just leave to find another home. We could never do anything to harm you.”
Jimmy smiled, “Or…you would negotiate with us and try to resolve the problem amicably like friends do. That’s part of what freedom is. What all of you need to understand is that we now share this planet and we will live here as allies, friends, and as members of a common family, even though we are two different species. This world is home for all of us and we should work together to make it something special. You don’t go out and fight for it because you’re ordered to do it. You go out to defend it because you love it as much as we do.”
“We don’t know how to use this freedom?”
“I know, Leit, and it’s going to take time for you to learn how. We will be advisors to you, if you have serious questions, but you will make the decisions on how to live your lives here. Eventually, you won’t have any more questions.”
Leit released a long breath, “We’ve killed so many beings.” Every Urrik in the crowd lowered their heads.
“That’s not on you!”
“How can you say that?”
Jimmy said very deliberately and loudly, “YOU HAD NO FREEDOM!” He paused and said, “It’s like your former master said, ‘you were only pilots’. You were kept stunted in your development and only given enough words to follow their commands. You were nothing more than the ships you fly; a tool to be discarded or thrown away needlessly. Does the Rail-Guns on your Hitters have a choice on who they’re used to kill?” Leit raised his head and shook it. “Neither did you. The ones to blame for those that died are the ones that ordered you to do it. I believe in redemption but for them, there is none.”
“I’m not sure I understand the word ‘redemption’”
“That’s because you don’t need it.” The Urriks started whispering and Jimmy said, “To need redemption, you first have to know you’ve done something evil.”
Kee said, “Like the fish that killed your people.”
Leit said, “I’m surprised you haven’t killed him.”
Jimmy shrugged, “Honestly, so am I. But we didn’t. However, he was very much like you.” Ed’s eyes narrowed and Jimmy quickly said, “He lived and functioned inside the framewor
k of laws that governed his civilization. According to his laws, they encouraged the removal of primitive intelligent civilizations. When he came here with the asteroids, he didn’t even consider the ones that lived on Earth; they held no meaning to him. He only saw our planet as a valuable piece of real estate. After we captured him, he came into contact with some of us and one of his children actually loved one of my children. It was at that point that he saw us clearly and knew he had done a truly evil thing. Before there can be redemption, there must first be a recognition of what our behavior had done. He sees it now and suffers from his guilt.”
“So how does he get this redemption?”
“Reddy, he may never get it. But he has agreed to do something that will cost him his life to give us time. That is the first step toward redemption and atonement.”
“Atonement?” Leit asked.
“Taking action to attempt to make up for what he did. It’s an effort to reduce the guilt he carries.”
Jimmy stood up and Leit asked, “What do you want us to do now?”
Jimmy smiled, “Whatever you choose. This meeting is over and I’m going to my quarters.”
“I think I want to stay here and discuss this freedom with the others.”
“Leit, whatever you want to do is up to you.” Jimmy stood with Summer and his children and walked away.
Ed and Jillian stood up and Leit looked at him with questioning eyes. Ed smiled, “Every word he said is true. Plan to get with me later and we’ll discuss how to handle the next attack.”
“When?”
Ed smiled, “Let me know when you have some time.” Ed turned with Jillian under his arm. Leit watched them walk away and smiled.
• • •
Patrick was at the Berlin Airport assigning the next White Ships to be sent to be modified. He saw a Urrik carrying a huge load of lumber on his shoulder, “Where did you get that?”
The Urrik stopped and said, “I took it out of some of the buildings not being used here at the airport.”
“Where are you going with it?”
“I’m going to build a building in the grass between the pavement for my mate and I to live together.”
Patrick stared at him and said, “Hold on just a minute.” Patrick contacted Juan and told him what was going on. “Do you have any issues with him doing this?”
The Urrik listened in to the conversation and heard Juan say, “Well, that is where the Hitters are parked and if they’re involved in a lengthy battle, they’re going to have to come back and have their Rail-Ammo replenished. The Jumpers hauling the ammo will have to land in the grass to unload it. All of the concrete is covered with their Hitters.”
The Urrik looked at Patrick and nodded, “He’s right. I need to build somewhere else.”
“Thanks, Juan.” Patrick ended the call. He pointed outside the airport and said, “There are thousands of buildings already built that you could move into. They are unoccupied and you just need to pick a place to live.”
The Urrik looked outside the airport and smiled, “Are you sure no one is living in them?”
“I am. Go and see if you find anything that meets your needs.”
The Urrik turned and took the lumber back to the building he took it from. He went to the hanger and Patrick saw him and a female Urrik walk out and up to the huge gated fence. The Urrik looked at the big chain on the gate, grabbed it with both hands, and pulled. The chain flew apart and the two walked out.
• • •
“We need to find a place close enough to get to our Hitters quickly.”
“What about that tall building with the crosswalk leading here?”
The male Urrik smiled, “That’s a good place to start.” They walked up to the front door of the Airport Hilton and the male grabbed the two panels and pulled the door open. They entered and started looking around.
The ground floor was filthy from the volcanic ash that washed in during heavy rains. The ashes had built up to more than twenty-feet before the volcanos settled down. The rains had washed the ashes away over the years but the lobby was filthy. They climbed up the stairs and stopped on the fourth-floor. The male walked up to a door close to the stairs with 410 on it. He looked at the round tumbler and put his hand on the door, “What are you doing?”
The male turned to his mate, “I’m going to open the door, it’s locked.”
“If it’s a lock, there has to be a key. I don’t want our fine entrance damaged.”
The male stared at her and shrugged, “I’ll be back.” He skipped down the four flights and went to the front desk. He jumped over it and began opening drawers. He had to use some strength to pull a few out, they were locked. But one he opened had row after row of green plastic with a piece of metal attached. He looked at the rows and saw a slot the number 410 over it. He took out the piece of plastic and skipped up the stairs. Having been born on a high-gravity planet, the Urrik jumped up entire flights on his way back. He took the piece of metal and stuck it in the tumbler, turned it, and heard a click. The door swung open and they stepped in. The room was full of mold and a musky smell. But they thought it was beautiful until they went to the bed. Rodents had chewed the mattress, which was in tatters, and smelled like feces. The male lifted the queen-size mattress with one hand and said, “I’ll be back.”
“I’m going with you to see if I can’t find something to clean this place.” She hugged him, “I’m so excited! This is going to be our home!”
They skipped down the stairs and used the flashers from their belts to light the lower floor. The moved down a hallway and found a door that had ‘Storage’ on it. It also had a tumbler and the male put his hands on it. The female turned the doorknob, and the door opened. She sniffed, “Males! Always showing off.”
They walked in and went in separate directions. The male went to the far right and then turned left. “Woooeeee!” There were numerous large stacks of mattresses covered in thick plastic. One stack was huge. He lifted the top one up and pulled the second one out. He read on the label, ‘King Size.” This was bigger than the one he removed. He carried it to the door and found his mate walking up with a large bucket filled with water along with brushes, a broom and mop. They went up the steps to the lobby and the male said, “Wait a moment.” He went to the counter and opened the key drawer. He looked at each row and saw KS-610.” He took the key and said, “We’re going a little higher.”
“Why?”
The male held up the king-size mattress with one hand, “I think this will fit. Let’s go see.”
The climbed the additional two flights and opened the door. It was beautiful. It still had a musky smell and there was mold on the walls, but not nearly as much as the fourth-floor room. This floor had remained above the ash level and had received sunlight over the years. The curtains were faded but they could find replacements easily enough. The male lifted the old mattress with one hand and put the new one in its place, “Ahhhh…a perfect fit!”
A week later, all the rooms were occupied by Urriks. Those that were left out, went out to find another place. They stumbled on the downtown Hilton and contacted Leit.
“Jimmy.”
“Yes, Leit.”
“A lot of the pilots in Berlin had started moving into the buildings called hotels.”
“Good!”
“They’ve found a good one but it’s a long way from the airport.”
“You want to know if they can park their Hitters there?”
“Yes.”
“That’s fine. It will clear up some space on the runways.”
“Thanks, I’m going to start doing this in Zurich. I’ve just discovered what they’ve done.”
The call ended and Jimmy dialed a number on his phone. Kellie Carter appeared, “Kellie, I want you to pick up a magnetic generator and see if you can’t get the power restored in the hotels in Berlin the Urriks are moving in. I understand there are two being used, at the moment, but I expect the number to increase.”
“Wha
t about water?”
“Can you make that happen?”
“My battalion isn’t doing anything now. The Elbe River is now free of pollution after all these years and we can tap into one of the old pipes.”
“Make it happen, Kellie. You might want to send the other battalion to Zurich, they’re going to start moving as well.”
“I’ll get my engineers working on it, Sir.”
• • •
Three-weeks later, the Urrik stumbled on the private residences around Berlin. The trickle of Urriks leaving the airport, turned into a flood. Soon, there were no Hitters left at the airport; the Urrik had found their homes.
Chapter Nineteen
Ed landed in the launch cave and saw a strange looking red colored Striker parked at the entrance. He climbed down out of the cockpit and saw Suzette walking toward him, “What is that?”
“We’re calling it a Pounder.”
“Why would you name it that?’
Suzette smiled, “Come with me.”
Ed followed her to the front of the new ship and stopped dead in his tracks, “WHAT IS THAT?”
“It’s a new cannon.”
“Are you going asteroid hunting? That barrel is three times larger than the Rail-Cannon on my Striker.”
“Actually, it’s four times larger and the launch tube is twice as long as the one in your Striker. It will accelerate a twenty-pound hardened metal round to a little more than twice the speed of your current cannon. You should also notice that the cannon is moveable to about forty-five-degrees in all directions. Its computer guided and can be locked on a target.”
“What could this possibly be used against?”
“Mercenary Transports, Ed. Have you taken a good look at the recording Ayet took of the Mercenary Planet before he died?”
“I have seen it; they have a giant spaceport.”
“And the number of transports at that spaceport were staggering. This ship is designed to take out a transport with a single round.”
“That might not be so easy. They’re surrounded by a screen of White Ships to defend them.”
Suzette smiled, “The round will blow through a White Ship like it wasn’t there; if the round is deflected at all, it won’t be by much.”
