“I am sorry, that was it. The other items requested are proving most difficult to enhance.”
“Where were we with my Earth lessons? Oh, wait, I have one more thing first. If you get a chance, open a portal to Jebwa space and scan that planet for life forms. They have a feral cat problem over there. At the moment they are keeping them away with a high frequency sound wave. Any better way to handle that in a natural way? They aren’t interested in doing a massive cat hunt. Goes against their non-violent ways.”
“I will add that to my task list. As to your prior question, we were reviewing the records of your ancestors. The Germanic tribes had stormed out of Northern Europe, taking control of much of the western half of the Roman Empire. Numerous emperors rose to power, attempted realignment of their forces, and were subsequently murdered by rivals.”
For the next four days, maps, timelines, cultures, and empires were discussed. The Roman Empire gave way to Medieval Europe in the west and the rise of Islam in the east. The Tang Dynasty reunited China with their influence, expanding to cover most of east Asia. The Polynesians settled much of the Pacific islands, and the Pueblo culture took hold in the American Southwest.
Harris emerged along with the others for a much needed break. “Fascinating stuff. Sharvie? What era are you up to?”
“What they called the nineteenth century. It looks like our ancestors were constantly warring. There were always small fights going on somewhere. I also found out that eventually the globe is divided into camps in the east and camps in the west. The eastern coalition became the Earthers. We’re from the western coalition.”
Gandy said, “Well, don’t spoil it for the rest of us. I want to know how it turns out while I’m reading it.”
Trish laughed. “Turns out? We know how it turns out. That’s us, you numbskull.”
“I was talking about before we left Earth. What exactly happened and why. And why were the two ships of people at each other then?”
Sharvie shrugged. “Don’t know yet. But we’ll find out.”
A meal was shared, followed by a half day of sleep and relaxation.
Chapter 15
_______________________
Harris called the others into the cabin of the Bangor.
“We’re making a run out to Eden. This is for a check of their progress. Sharvie, you’ll come with us. I want you to hack into the Earthers’ systems if possible. Trish, you and Gandy will stay here. Alex has an upgrade to our drives that needs to be fashioned. Do it on the shuttle. If it checks out we’ll do it here as well. I don’t expect us to be gone more than half a day.”
Gandy and Trish headed for the shop. A short time later, the Bangor slowed as Eden came into full view from the nighttime side.
Sharvie said, “I’m picking up Earther comms. Give me a few minutes and we should have those cracked.”
Tawn looked over the nav display. “I count five warships up in orbit, two down below, one at Fireburg, and one at Bax’s old mine.”
“They reopening her mine?” asked Harris.
“Hang on. I’m zooming in… yes. I count eight buildings under construction at that site.”
“Just for grins, take a look at the other sites we had mapped. Any activity at those?”
Tawn moved the alignment of the camera. “Yep at that one. And… that one too.”
After the fifth confirmation, Tawn stopped. “They have the beginnings of operations at every mine sight. This is blowing up in our faces exactly as we hoped it wouldn’t.”
“Any ships guarding those other sites?”
“Not at the moment, but we aren’t getting close without them spotting us. They have a mine starting about four hundred kilometers from our old sniper base camp. Doubt we could even make it to the surface without being detected now.”
Sharvie said, “I have a comm. It’s between their command ship and the ground. Pushing it to the speakers.
“General, are you certain of your security?”
“I am. Baxter Rumford has been critical in this regard. Since I gave her control, the attacks on our equipment have ceased. We captured a cell of five spies yesterday. One who was sent to us by our own bureau. I was suspicious at first, but the information we found was undeniable. The cowardly offender then killed himself before we were able to fully question him.”
The other voice replied, “The results Rumford is getting are pleasant news to the emperor after such a slow start to this operation. The royal family has taken notice. Her opening those other mines was at first frowned upon due to the production shortfalls at Fireburg. That move is now being looked upon with great favor.”
The general nodded. “I hope to increase our production threefold in the coming months. And double that again before year’s end. The emperor will have all the titanium he desires. What is the word coming from manufacturing?”
The highly-decorated officer on the command ship pursed his lips as the video portion of the comm appeared on the display. “I cannot release that information other than to say it is going extremely well. I now believe we can meet our production targets with ample time to spare.”
The general returned a broad smile. “Admiral, that is music to my ears. My time is best spent conducting war, not industrial management. I look forward to the day when that once again happens.”
“Soon, General. We are all looking forward to that day. This new threat has everyone on edge.”
Tawn asked, “What new threat? They talking about us?”
Harris shrugged.
“Admiral, have there been any more talks?”
“No contact whatsoever. They moved into the new colony. That is all the intel I have.”
Tawn winced. “You think they’re talking about the Retreat?”
Harris shook his head. “If you’d hush, maybe we could find out.”
The general leaned back in his chair. “If they’re arming that colony, Admiral, it makes this effort to rebuild our fleet that much more critical. That is not something we can allow.”
An aide came into the image, whispering into the ear of the admiral.
The Earther fleet officer said, “I am sorry, General. I must go. The emperor has called me home. Keep up the good work out here. We need all the titanium you can produce.”
The general bowed his head. “I will do my best, Admiral.”
The comm closed.
Tawn sighed. “They know we’re arming the domes. This isn’t good. We need to complete our work there before they have a fleet big enough to attack.”
Harris said, “One way to help with that: throw credits at the problem. We have enough to spare. Sharvie, didn’t you say your friends emptied the accounts of another Earther spy unit?”
“Yes. We have just over a billion credits in our accounts now.”
Tawn narrowed her eyes. “What? How much?”
“Just over a billion.”
Harris chuckled. “Can you imagine being the Earthers who lost those funds? Talk about quick executions.”
“My friends don’t think there is any more to be had. They’ve changed out their systems and firewalls. And the spider-web of account trails have all gone cold. They said the one they were following had all the monies moved into a single account and then withdrawn in person. At the moment they’re out of leads.”
Harris shook his head. “A billion credits. There’s only a couple people on Domicile with that kind of money behind them, and both are in the defense industry, so those billions may not last, if they still even have them.”
Tawn said, “Take us back to Midelon. I’d like to talk to the colonel.”
Harris looked over the displays. “Not sure what else we can do out here besides listen.”
Sharvie come forward from the bunkroom console and sat.
“We could leave a recording device, but there are hundreds of comm channels running all the time. Would be a mess to decrypt and sort through them all.”
Tawn said, “Why not just keep a comm wormhole open and r
ecord everything?”
Harris shook his head. “We’d run the risk of being detected and compromised. There’s only been one wormhole I’ve detected coming into Eden, and that was from New Earth. Not like on Domicile where hundreds are coming in from the outer colonies at any given moment.”
Tawn replied, “Then a recording device might be just what we need. Mr. Morgan could probably help us with acquiring one of those.”
The Bangor returned to Midelon. Trish and Gandy were finishing the update to the shuttle when Tawn stepped up into the shuttle’s cabin.
“We’re about to test it out,” said Gandy. “Want to come?”
Tawn shook her head. “Just checking in. When you’re finished, the Bangor is waiting.”
Harris was sitting in the supply hut with Farker in front of him. An image of Bannis Morgan floated just above his pet.
“I will check with my satellite division. That sounds like something they may have available.”
Harris said, “And cost is not a problem. Just give us a quote within reason.”
Tawn sat. “Connect us to the colonel when you’re done.”
Harris turned back to face the image. “Are we done?”
“We are.”
The comm closed.
“Trish and Gandy are about to test the shuttle. If this works I think we also apply it to those freighters after they come off the line.”
A comm was opened to the Retreat.
An image of Colonel Robert Thomas appeared. “You have news?”
“We do,” said Tawn. “The Earthers are opening all the mines we had mapped out. They’re expecting to triple their ore output in three months. And to double that again by the end of the year. They won’t have any restrictions on meeting their needs. Actual ship construction will be their only holdup.”
Harris said, “And there’s more.”
The colonel chuckled. “There’s always more.”
“We think the Earthers know you’re arming the Retreat.”
The colonel sighed. “I knew this would happen when we let regulars come out here for the construction. I’ll pass the complete list of those workers we had to the DDI for screening. If someone in there is working for the Earthers, they’ll find them.”
Tawn said, “Attention out there at the Retreat was not what we were looking for. Sorry we brought this to you, Colonel.”
“Nonsense. You are only trying to protect Domicile and all her citizens. It’s what all of us have sworn to do. You didn’t cause this, and you aren’t responsible for the Earthers’ actions. You are responsible for building these tremendous domes, arming them, and bringing most of the Bios out of poverty. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about.”
Harris smirked. “Unless you want to count our gunrunning.”
“Given the circumstances, that can be overlooked.”
“So what can we do about any of this, Colonel?” Tawn asked.
“I have a group that meets every day to discuss this very issue. Unfortunately we haven’t settled on a workable solution. Every suggestion has been high risk with little chance of actually stopping production for more than a day or two. Our own government has been the major stumbling block in all this. It’s like we’re fighting against ourselves.”
Harris said, “There’s a solution out there, Colonel. We’ve just yet to find it. One of the things we commed you for today is financing. What would you need, credit-wise, to expedite the projects you have working? Give us a number that would cut your timetables in half.”
The colonel leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Half would be a tall order. I suppose four of five million credits might smooth out some of the rough spots. I don’t know that half is an achievable goal, even with those credits.”
Tawn said, “How about twenty million?”
The colonel leaned forward. “Where are you getting all this money? No, forget that. I don’t think I want to know.”
“Thirty million?”
“Twenty would be more than adequate. We already have funding for the ongoing projects. That amount to throw around would certainly push things along.”
Tawn said, “Hold up your credit store and I’ll send it through.”
The colonel chuckled as the transfer was made. “The bank of Freely, where nothing is impossible.”
“Just get your build-out finished, Colonel. I think we’re gonna need it. You might also look at how to make those domes self-sustaining. If the Earthers do come this way, they will most assuredly set up a blockade. You would be on your own.”
The colonel nodded. “We’ve already taken those considerations into account. Protecting and feeding six or seven thousand Bios here at the Retreat will be a much simpler task than doing so for the billions of regulars on Domicile.”
Tawn nodded. “We just want you to be ready in every way we can. Who knows, a prolonged fight here might be just the thing that gives Domicile time to get their act together.”
“Let’s hope so.”
The comm closed. With no more activities on their short list, the drive speed enhancements were tested on the shuttle and added to the Bangor. Both ships performed as Alex had predicted, now slightly faster than any other ship available from New Earth or Domicile. The group made their way into the bunker to continue with the Earth history education.
Tawn sat in front of a display. “Alex, not that this isn’t all interesting, but what’s the point? Why are you taking us through this exercise?”
“To best chart one’s path to the future, it is imperative that one knows their past. As Humans, you have the ability to learn from your mistakes. Not only in a physical, reactionary mode, but as reasoning, thinking beings who are driven by emotions as much as the physical world around us. While knowing about Tawn Freely is undeniably important, knowing where Tawn Freely came from, her environment and what shaped it, is equally as important.”
Tawn chuckled. “Well, I know where I came from. That would be the DNA of about a hundred fifty other people all being assembled in a Petri dish.”
“I am referring to the Human species of course and not your own humble beginning. By knowing and understanding your specie’s past, you will make better decisions for the future.”
Tawn continued her discussion as she moved through screen after screen of historical data. A common theme had emerged. Man did not always play well with Man. Empires and kingdoms, along with almost every other form of government, had been tried. Some had been successful over short periods of time when administered by the right person. Others failed miserably, forcing that misery on their people.
Across the hall in another room, Harris was having his own conversation. “Looks like the Europeans are exploding around the globe with exploration and trade.”
Alex nodded. “Trade fleets and caravans brought wealth to the region, which at the same time was experiencing an understanding of science and health. This was happening in other parts of the Earth at the same time. Trade accelerated the exchange and adoption of many of those ideas.”
Harris rubbed his chin. “So I could equate the exploration of the Americas with our expansion into the outer colonies. Many of us seem to always be looking to make our fortunes outside of the watchful eye of government. I’m guessing it was the same for many of these explorers and the settlers that followed.”
“There are many similarities, but most of humanity’s experience out here has been unique, if only for the fact that no other beings have been encountered. In the Earth Americas, there were sparse populations of peoples who had come before. They were of course conquered, just as Man has done to weaker groups and cultures throughout his history.”
Harris sat back. “So thousands of years there, followed by a couple thousand out here, and there have been no encounters or even hints of other sentient civilizations. Looks like we have an entire galaxy all to ourselves.”
“Our exploration knowledge of the Milky Way covers less than one thousandth of 1 percent of what we know to be ou
t there. We’ve encountered many different species of animals, including your favorite, the bogler. One would have to reason there are other sentient species among our stars.”
Harris chuckled. “Well, let’s hope we can settle our own differences before they show up. So tell me more about these explorers…”
The better part of a week was spent in the bunker before Harris declared a recess. The group of five were gathered in the supply hut after having finished a meal.
Trish said, “They call it a world war, but it wasn’t. Was kind of a Western war.”
Sharvie replied, “Just wait, there’s another one coming.”
Gandy said, “Anyone else fascinated by their flying machines?”
“Speaking of flying,” Harris said, “Mr. Morgan promised us the recorder today. I’ve asked him to drop it at the Retreat. Trish? You and Gandy up for a run in the shuttle to pick it up?”
“We leave and we can’t get back in without Farker.”
“Not sure why I keep forgetting that. OK, anyone who wants to go, let’s go now. Trish, you can pilot the Bangor.”
The others glanced toward the bunker.
Harris chuckled. “Fine, go back to your edutainment. Trish and I will go it alone.”
Ninety minutes later, the heavily modified Zwicker class ship pulled to a stop in front of the newly constructed shipyard.
Trish said, “Wow. That is really coming together.”
Harris nodded. “The colonel released a few million extra credits to the contractors. Mr. Morgan said they expect to restart the assembly of the first freighter this week. That should put us about three weeks away from initial trials. He thinks we can take possession of it in about six weeks.”
Trish half smiled. “Then what do we do with it?”
“We’ll figure that out in six weeks, I guess. Go ahead and take us down to the Retreat. The colonel is waiting. He promised us lunch.”
Trish shook her head. “While I respect him for all he’s done, he’s just as bad an eater as you. Every time I look over at you I want to get up and wipe off your face. You Bios are disgusting eaters.”
ARMS Jebwa Atrocity Page 14
