When they materialized, disheartened, back in the Cheyenne, Jamie knew from Captain Cameron's happy face, Chief Medical Officer Keira Quinn's misty-eyed smile, and her dad's ear-to-ear grin that something had changed. Something good.
Then she spotted Kylee flying across the room into her shocked arms.
For an eternal moment, Jamie's entire universe – perhaps all her universes – reduced to just her and her daughter, a place of pure bliss. Then, in a rush, real time caught up, and Dennis was hugging both of them, soon joined by Cal. A few clapping hands swelled into universal applause. Paul Simon's Mother and Child Reunion rang in Jamie's head.
"Your daughter and her friend, Thomas Mayes got here just a few minutes ago," said Keira, when the applause had died. "They rendered the Luminate weapons systems inoperable and only a few minutes ago the ship exploded. They may have saved all our lives."
Jamie beamed down at her daughter, and though Kylee was smiling, the tears in her eyes held sadness along with joy.
"We...hurt so many of them, Mom," she said. "And now we know they weren't even the Elementals, the aliens we were supposed to be attacking."
"I know, baby." Jamie locked her fingers in her daughter's hair, happy for her compassion and saddened that she had to bear this guilt at such a young age. "We just did what we believed we had to do."
"The fog of war and all," Lieutenant Mallory muttered.
"I'll bet that'll be real comforting to the slugs," said Jake.
"I'm hoping our diplomats will meet with their representatives and work this out," said Captain Cameron. "In the meantime" – he raised his voice – "I want to commend everyone here for your exemplary service and risking your lives for what we believed to be a good cause. Especially Kylee and Thomas Mayes, and the first team to make contact." After a pause, he added, meeting Chief Engineer Dan Mueller's pensive gaze, "And I would like us all to take a moment and remember an invaluable sacrifice made by one of our crewmembers who is no longer with us."
"My twin," said Dan, irony and a hint of sadness in his voice. "Makes one wonder about the value of a man."
"You want to say a few words?" Lieutenant Mallory's smile was bleak.
Dan bowed his head. "He was one of the two best engineers I've ever known."
While Jamie tried to puzzle out what was going on, the com light blinked a Space Command purple. General Akron appeared on forward bridge, his face a work in grim lines, dark circles under haunted eyes.
"I am relieved to find that you're still alive," he said. "Horse and Martin's ships suffered only minor damage, I see, while Captain Bascombe regrettably suffered nearly thirty percent casualties. Unfortunately, that's the good news. The bad news is that our Alpha and Zeta ambassadors are departing our world as I speak." He doled out his grave stare among Cameron and the other commanders. "By now, I would guess that you know the true identity of the civilization we just attacked?"
"Yes, sir," said Cameron, hearing echoes from his fellow fleet officers. "I'm just now learning it was the Luminate. The assault team explained our mistake to them, but they didn't respond well. Has there been any communication between them and Space Command? What did the Alphas and Zetas say?"
"No word from the Luminate. The Alphas and Zetas, in their typical closemouthed way, said that they anticipated a 'negative response' from the Luminate."
"Of course those snooty pieces of shit would never offer help," said Mallory.
"Not even mediation." The General folded his holographic hands. "I'm afraid we're on our own in this one, gentlemen and women. The presumption is that we are now in a state of war with the Luminate."
"That wouldn't be a state of war," Ardent Commander Gary Bascombe's raspy voice rattled through the bridge, "any more than a covered wagon could wage war against an Abrams tank."
"Funny," said Mallory, "because from where I sit our covered wagons just kicked their aquatic asses."
"Damn straight," Jake grunted. He glanced at Jamie, Thomas Mayes, and Horner. "And it seems to me we got a few M1A4 tanks of our own."
"A moot point, I'm afraid," said General Akron. "At present we have no diplomatic relations with the Luminate. We don't even have any means to communicate with them. So at this point assuming the worst is our only option. And we are preparing accordingly."
"Dare I ask what that means?" Captain Horace Lindley inquired.
"We're already discussing the issue with the other space powers. The story is that the Luminates have decided to colonize Earth because of the appeal of our oceans. We need to unite to fight the invasion, and so on."
Muted grumbling and questions rose from the bridge.
"Our entire Earth Defense Division is being called up," General Akron continued. "We will rendezvous with them shortly. The International Space Defense Force may soon join us as well, pending the results of our meetings."
"You mean, if they believe your story," said Captain Cameron.
"Our story, Captain. I don't believe I need to spell out the likely consequences if the rest of the international community, even many of our allies, learned the truth about our provocation."
"We believed we were doing the right thing, General," said Jamie. "Why shouldn't we tell them the truth?"
That precipitated a number of awkward glances between the crewmembers. Jamie sensed a large, unacknowledged elephant in the room.
"Only our closest allies know the details our covert space organization, Mrs. Shepherd," the General replied. "The others may suspect, but to the best of our knowledge, they have only suspicions. We're not prepared to reveal to the Russians or Chinese, for instance, our most sensitive secrets. The negative consequences of that could exceed those of revealing our mistaken attack on the Luminate."
Jamie let out an exasperated breath. "I forgot how much you people love your state secrets. Even if keeping other countries out of the loop could cause human extinction."
Another holographic image appeared beside the General: President Tomlinson and her usual advisors in what Jamie recognized as the Situation Room.
"If I may butt in for a moment, Bill," said President Tomlinson, her usual cool smile looking a bit wilted to Jamie. "Greetings, Jamie, Jacob, Star Fleet commanders, and your valiant crew. As always, I commend you on your brave service and the defeat of an alien spacecraft. It was just our bad luck that it was the wrong species of alien."
That drew a few scowls. Captain Cameron's face remained carefully neutral.
"To elaborate on what the good General was saying," the President resumed, "revealing the full extent of our highest-classified advanced technology to enemy nations could, and almost certainly would, prove dangerous – if not disastrous. For starters, it could very well unite the world against us and precipitate an arms race the likes of which our planet has never seen. That on top of being blamed for whatever reprisals the Luminate have in mind, and you have a nuclear powder keg ready to blow at any moment."
"If we're planning to work with other nations," said Jamie, "how do you plan to explain the presence of your starships and advanced weapons?"
"The Russians, Chinese, and other nations believe our starships operate on the same form of ion propulsion engines they themselves covertly use," President Tomlinson replied. "Just a more powerful and advanced version. We've never deployed our MAME or directed energy weapons within their viewing range. They may have their suspicions, but we believe they remain largely in the dark of our true capabilities."
Jamie listened with the now-depressingly familiar sinking sensation. Since arriving here, her life was like one act of deception of violence after another, following each other like falling dominoes. She remembered the "Domino Theory" her grandfather, Phil Winters – Cal's father, who had started him down the path of government skepticism and conspiracies – had so often mocked, calling President Lyndon Johnson the "newly ordained minister of the Industrial-Military Complex" when Johnson had justified the Vietnam war with the theory that if they let South Vietnam collapse to Communism, the rest of
Asia would follow. Like dominoes.
Grandpa Phil's rants had rarely made sense to her – more often inducing an urge to run outside and play, even in a T-storm. But the idea of a "domino theory," which he'd reviled, seemed to apply in spades here – just not in the way her grandfather had used it.
Chapter 26
THE CALL FOR AN emergency session of the United Nations was preceded by a more private call for an emergency meeting by Russian President Mikhail Talinokov, sent out to a number of strategic if fair-weather friends: China, Pakistan, India, Iran, along with the more formal allies of Belarus and the Collective Security Treaty nations. Key leaders within the respective countries joined in a ultra-secure virtual-conference link that had been set up after Doomsday Conflict.
After a wary exchange of greetings, President Talinokov addressed the virtual gathering.
"Esteemed comrades, by now many if not all of you have been contacted by the Americans with the warning that we face an invasion by a hostile and highly advanced alien civilization. That message will be repeated at the upcoming emergency United Nations session. But there is something the United States and its allies are not telling us." President Talinokov leaned toward the camera, the high, hard planes of his Slavic face hinting of ancient Mongolian conquests. "What I am about to tell you is of the gravest import not only to our countries but to the fate of our world. It involves an event of the highest security in my country. Regardless, it is too important to our common fate to withhold, and in the spirit of comradeship, I must share it with you. As all are aware, we have maintained for decades a relationship with certain extraterrestrial civilizations. President Wanquan, I know your country also has such relationships."
The Chinese president offered neither objection nor assent as his translator finished speaking.
"We all have strong reasons for keeping secrets," said President Talinokov. "But secrets must surrender to our common interests, and perhaps to an unprecedented opportunity. This is why I tell you now that the aliens we call 'Alphas', whose representatives have visited us in a secure location many times over the years, informed us last night that they are departing this planet for an undefined term. All they would tell us is that the Americans committed an aggressive act against another advanced alien civilization that has caused this civilization, which we know as the Luminate, to 'seek deadly reparations' against our world."
The Chinese President ducked away from the camera and spoke quietly with his fellows. The other countries' representatives seemed at a loss. Talinokov sat as still and serene-faced as Lenin's corpse.
The Chinese president faced the assemblage. "In the spirit of your disclosure, President Talinokov, we will respond with candid reciprocity. We have been informed as well by one of our own visitors of the Americans' folly. But we do not know the details of their affront. Perhaps you know of these details?"
"I do not. The Alpha ambassador mentioned an attack on a Luminate space craft. That is all."
"May I ask how you propose we respond?"
Now was the moment of truth, the Russian President thought, with a brief glance at Valery Botvinnik, his Prime Minister. Valery's nod was almost imperceptible.
"My proposal is that we ally with the Luminates."
He and his fellow Russian leaders bid their time, letting those words sink in. President Talinokov, even knowing what was at stake, couldn't stop a small spark of pleasure at the Chinese delegation's shocked expressions. Only a moment before they composed themselves, but Talinokov saw enough to know that his strategic point had struck deep.
"Has the Luminate contacted you?" asked the Indian prime minister, Vikis Tharoor.
"Yes," said President Talinokov. "After we extended an offer of alliance through the Alpha ambassador, who passed it on to the Luminate. Before the ambassador departed, she imparted this short message from the Luminate: 'Demonstrate intent.'"
The Indian leader was stroking his meticulously manicured beard. "Ah," he said, not sounding happy. "A bold move, President Talinokov."
"Perhaps." President Wanquan rested his curled fingers on the polished ebony table before him. "But perhaps also a very dangerous one. Surely the Luminate already knows the identity of the true enemy and is more than capable of defeating it without our help?"
"It was intended as a gesture of our goodwill, Mr. President. We do not know if the Luminate have clearly identified the United States as the culprit. It may consider us all guilty by default as human beings."
"So your 'gesture of goodwill' was intended to persuade the Luminate to spare Russia?"
President Talinokov smiled at the Chinese leader. "You can hardly blame me for wishing that, Chairman Wanquan. But if that was my only intent then why would I call this meeting?"
Talinokov brushed imaginary dust from his thick fingers and let his words sink in.
"The Americans are asking the International Space Defense Force to join their own space fleet in a battle against alien invaders," said the Indian prime minister. "Are you proposing that we decline?"
"No. I am proposing that we accept. But when the moment comes, rather than turn our weapons against our space brothers, we turn them on the American space fleet instead. That would qualify, I believe, as a demonstration of intent."
The Indian prime minister paled. The Iranian president, Mohammad Karzi, rubbed the corners of his thin smile. The Belarus leader, Prime Minister Andrei Lukashenko, looked askance.
"Comrade Talinokov," he said with a slight stutter. "Are you suggesting a full-scale war with the United States?"
"And its allies," Prime Minister Zahid Gafoor of Pakistan added with a shaking head. "All on the supposed word of an alien people we know nothing about."
"We will not attack the U.S. allies, unless they attack us," said Talinokov. "Our initial strikes would be aimed solely at the United States – a clear message that we are not looking for war with other nations. As we attack, we will inform the U.S. allies of America's transgressions and offer them a mutual truce."
"You believe they will accept this?" asked the Indian prime minister, sounding incredulous.
"I have no doubt they will be skeptical, Comrade Tharoor, but I am hoping self-preservation will sway their actions."
"If it does not?" President Wanquan raised an eyebrow.
Talinokov shrugged. "Then we shall destroy them, too."
"Such a massive act of war based on an alliance which is merely hypothetical." The Chinese president's flat tones reverberated over the connection. "And how would you implement your plan?"
"We will keep our space forces a safe distance apart from the USSC space fleet. When the Luminate attack, we will join the Luminate in striking the American and British forces."
"And if the Luminate attacks all of us?" President Wanquan regarded him with unblinking eyes.
"Then we will of course stand with our American brothers against the evil alien hordes."
No one acknowledged the Russian president's dry smile or showed any amusement. President Talinokov waited a few moments before continuing.
"There is something else which I believe will be of grave concern to this assemblage," he said. "We have information – solid information – that in addition to various secret advanced technologies, the Americans have developed a virus which impart superhuman abilities to its subjects. If true, they are currently breeding a legion of true super soldiers."
The frowns and lowered eyes and exchanged looks struck Talinokov as more skeptical than impressed.
"What proof can you offer of this?" President Wanquan asked.
"Our evidence comes in two parts. First, we have an agent in a premier U.S. Government research agency who while not directly involved in this program has heard what he considers to be solid intelligence of its existence. Second, we have these." He clicked on and sent three files. "File KZ334 shows a young woman apparently levitating at a rest area stop in Washington State on August 21. The attached newspaper article, which has since been expunged from every mainstream news
site in the U.S., describes not only flight but the capability of projecting electrical energy, as depicted in file KZ335. The U.S. quickly downplayed this as a 'prank' involving a 'jet pack' and a 'static electricity generator,' and dismissed alternate news speculation that the incident may have been genuine with the usual 'conspiracy theory.'
"File 336 portrays two images of what appears to be a female figure in flight hundreds of miles apart on different days. Our analysts believe it is the same female."
"Surely they could simply be women wearing a propulsion device?" The Indian prime minister asked.
"Possibly, though witnesses report no sound consistent with a jetpack, and our asset confirms that flight capability is one of the manifestations of the super-virus, along with energy projections in various forms."
"Rumors," said President Wanquan. "Rumors and speculation and an unknown ally. On this we are prepared to start World War Three?"
"Yes, agreed, Comrade, there are uncertainties. But if we stay neutral, especially after our communication with the Luminate, the aliens may assume we're aligned with America and act accordingly. If we side with the Luminate, it's possible, though I would say improbable, that the United States might triumph regardless by virtue of its superior technology and weapons. You must all decide where to place your bet. The Russian Federation has made that decision. We place our bet on an alliance with the Luminate. We are, as the Americans would say, 'all in' on this point."
"Regardless of our decision?" the Indian Prime Minister asked.
"Regardless. Yes."
President Talinokov favored the virtual gathering with his patented steely-eyed gaze. It was not an act. Russia was a land whose people had endured great hardship and had triumphed by virtue of their iron will. It would triumph again now, whatever these soft, indecisive leaders decided. Talinokov almost relished acting alone. They had a few secrets of their own up their collective sleeves, and when the dust settled, perhaps Russia would rest atop the world once again, as was its destiny.
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