The Darkness: The Conglomerate Trilogy (Volume 2)

by William S Frisbee Jr

  A pair of shuttles were coming in to dock at the space port. As he stared at shuttles, his InnerBuddy overlaid identification information on them. They were medical shuttles, bringing casualty overflow from Athena. Around the port he saw other ships in the distance, maneuvering to dock or flying patrol. Things were busier than they had been in over forty-five years. Way back then he had only been a commodore and hadn't had this office, or this view.

  It was good though. New Alamo was waking up again. People were asking to return to active duty, and they were spending less time lost in their virtual reality worlds, with their games and art. Now there was a new market for artwork, a new source of entertainment. Maybe it would cure the apathy that had infected everyone. Now the people of New Alamo were not war weary, now they were ready to do something about the people that had forced them to flee.

  "You seem happy?" Aide said as Mark stared at the window.

  Mark glanced over at his sentient droid. A standard model, human like with light blue glossy skin. He was male in basic appearance and one of the more advanced models. Aide's dark blue eyes were fastened on Mark as the Prime Minister leaned back in his seat.

  "Sort of," Mark said. "I like being busy, but these are very dangerous times."

  "You prefer the danger over being busy, don't you?" Aide asked, and Mark gave him a half grin.

  "Is it that obvious?" Mark asked.

  Aide shook his head and gave the Prime Minister a smile.

  "No," Aide said. "You wear many hats. Do you plan on leading the fleet?"

  "No," Mark said. "I wouldn't dare upstage Admiral Day like that. He would have my head. My rank of admiral is a formality these days. Day is the senior officer."

  Aide nodded.

  "We don't have the ships anyways," Mark said staring back at the screen. "I have no idea what I'm going to do with Luke. If anyone deserves a ship, he does. I just don't have anyone I can bump. I don't want to give him a chance to get away from people. There must be some way or reason for him to start socializing again. He is becoming something of a prick. I swear, one day he will head off to parts unknown and won't come back. Hopefully, that lieutenant on Athena can keep him around and re-civilize him again. At the reception, he was watching her like a hawk and I swear he was trying to stay close to her."

  "You can't help everyone," Aide said.

  "But I can help the people I like," Mark said and glanced at Aide. "As long as it doesn't violate the ethics of my office."

  Aide nodded.

  "You have not abused your position," Aide said. "Yet."

  Mark remained silent. Staring. His announcer rang and Mark glanced toward the door. It was Admiral Sylvester Day and Admiral Corey Wise. Mark nodded, and the door slid open as he stood up to meet his admirals.

  Admiral Day was a serious looking man, he didn't smile, and he always looked way too serious for a twenty-year-old. He was anything but twenty and just one look in his eyes would abolish that illusion. He always kept his hair short, looking like a raw recruit, and he walked without moving his shoulders. His bullet head always rotating like a turret. As the senior military officer of New Alamo his job had been important, but until recently, boring. The Conglomerate had not been a threat and the occasional pirates were rare. His primary concern was the safety and security of New Alamo. Now everything was changing. Once, over thirty years ago, Mark had taken his orders, but now their roles were reversed.

  The Director of New Alamo Intelligence (DNAI) was Admiral Corey Wise, a quiet, innocent looking man that appeared in his middle twenties, with his hair cut in a conservative style, he had a quick and ready smile. In a crowd he would be forgotten, but he had a perfect memory, even without memory buffers and Wise had an uncanny understanding of Conglomerate politics and many of the alien races New Alamo had to deal with. He was a lot more active in the Conglomerate and Mark relied on him when dealing with Conglomerate nations and politics.

  "Hello gentlemen," Mark said shaking their hands and motioning them to sit. They both nodded and had sour looks. Mark could tell this meeting would not end well.

  "We have a problem," Corey said. "A big one."

  Mark nodded. Obvious. His senior military officer and intelligence officer never demanded his time to socialize. If it was routine, they would have called him or sent a message.

  Mark raised an eyebrow.

  "We got a work up of the Jupiter Alliance Fleet on the Sol side of the wormhole," Corey said and glanced at Sylvester. "The one that was en route to Athena when all this started."

  "And?" Mark asked, tiring of the drama.

  "There were ten sol cruisers, fifteen frigates and six transports, one holding an assault regiment and the other five holding military police battalions," Corey said looking at Mark.

  "Military Police battalions?" Mark said. That didn't sound right. "How do you know?"

  "Conglomerate sensors and decryption is a hell of a lot better than Jupiter Alliance," Corey said. "They will shit themselves when the realize how much better it is. The official Jupe designation of those five transports is 'defense supplies'."

  Mark rubbed his eyes.

  "I've got bad things going through my mind. Tell me I'm wrong," Mark said. "Military police battalions are not used to defend a station."

  Corey nodded.

  "As near as we can tell this Jupe fleet didn't know about the Caliphate fleet when they left Jupiter," Corey said. "We have some communication intercepts about how they would have been unprepared to deal with a force that large or capable."

  "So, they weren't coming to keep Athena safe from the Caliphate," Mark said.

  Corey shook his head.

  "It was an invasion force," Corey said. "They were coming to drag Athena back into the Jupiter Alliance, or steal the research. The Jupiter Guard assault regiment would have been enough to deal with any major opposition. They have a good number of warbots. The military police units would have kept control. They have a lot of police model bots and surveillance equipment. The rest of the fleet would have been a hammer if needed. This occupation force left Jupiter about a month ago, about the same time that the Caliphate force left Earth."

  "Why?" Mark asked.

  "I would guess they didn't want Athena to leave," Corey said. "It also appears that Athena had sped up their departure plans when the Shrike didn't return on schedule and they detected Caliphate forces. I don't think they detected the original Caliphate task force that followed the Shrike into the wormhole though. They might also have seen the Jupiter fleet, or someone warned them."

  "Athena was gambling," Mark said. "Or they knew something."

  "I would say gambling," Corey said. "They knew something was coming, and they didn't like their chances."

  "So, how did the Caliphate get wormhole technology?" Mark asked.

  "No idea," Corey said. "Maybe when we can get some recon ships near Earth, we might have a better idea. It doesn't seem like the Caliphate to think in that direction."

  Mark looked at Sylvester.

  "Your thoughts?" Mark asked.

  "I think the Jupiter Alliance found out that Athena wanted to leave, and had wormhole technology, even a nearby wormhole to use. Athena is strategically located and makes a good base for either the Jupes or Caliphate to launch attacks from. It also makes a good sensor platform to watch the inner or outer planets. I don't know how much things have changed yet, but the Jupes might not have liked the possibility the Caliphate could establish an untouchable base halfway to Jupiter. Maybe the Jupes know the Caliphate has wormhole technology and Athena would be a base they couldn't touch so they wanted to keep it out of Caliphate hands and didn't think the Athenians would cooperate."

  "They would use force to keep control of Athena?" Mark asked. "Keep it in system? That makes little sense. There are other asteroids out there."

  "The Jupes didn't want us to go forty-five years ago," Sylvester said. "They even tried sabotaging the system, but we caught their mole."

  "They didn't send a fleet," Ma
rk said.

  "As far as we know."

  "What are you saying?" Mark asked.

  "Like governments throughout history they are struggling to keep control and expand their dominion," Sylvester said. "Besides, Athena is already built and livable, full of allies, slaves or soldiers, however you want to look at it. Athena has a robust industry and a quality mining fleet."

  Mark sighed.

  "Find out more about the political situation in the Jupiter Alliance," Mark said. "Who is in charge, what their platform is, whatever you can. Any chance of those Jupiter Alliance ships getting through the wormhole and at Athena?"

  "Not unless we let them," Sylvester said. "I'm not about to either although they might have gravity manipulation now. They would be as much a danger to us as Athena, although I think the Breadbox will rip them apart if they tried to come through. We have enough forces to keep them from landing and we could even protect Athena if they wanted protection."

  "Good, but that is a sticky situation," Mark said. "Let's keep them on the Sol side. I want a confidential meeting with Allison if it can be arranged. Let's put her on the spot and see what we can get out of her. Why the accelerated time table and what was she expecting."

  "Will do," Corey said. "On a side note how are things going with the Caleet?"

  "Tara is keeping them on this side of the wormhole so far," Mark said. "They really want to cross over and start trade relations with the Jupes but I want more information first. For now, they are opening negotiations with Athena."

  "Good," Corey said. "The last thing we need is the Jupes, or the Caliphate getting their grubby hands on Conglomerate technology."

  "Can I fire at them if they try to transit?" Sylvester asked.

  "We don't have the authority from the Conglomerate," Mark said. "Yet. So far, they are playing nice and are being good allies, but I expect some of those merchant barons to push their luck. Especially those guilds that are not so friendly to us. This is a dark system so the Conglomerate will not interfere militarily, but I would rather not make them enemies. The Caleet could muster a decent fleet if we forced them."

  "Well," Corey said. "I'm willing to bet the Caliphate will shoot first and ask questions later which should discourage them, but the Jupiter Alliance will do anything they can to get their business and technology."

  "We need more information on what the Jupiter Alliance is up to," Mark said. "Sooner rather than later."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Spy

  "I don't know what to do with it," Jeremy said. "He follows me around like a dog. Uses the toilet and eats whatever I give it, but I'm not much of a pet person."

  "He's nice," Amanda said. "But could you take him back? Leonessa has already left for Athena and besides they won't allow it back on Athena unless it is kept in quarantine. They freaked out when they realized it was a real alien."

  Luke checked the time. Damn. Less than thirty minutes until his meeting with Mark.

  Felix walked over and plopped down next to Luke.

  The creature was an enigma, Luke didn't have the time to figure it out. It was too much like a cross between a dog and a cat. Despite the numerous scars and healed injuries it was peaceful. Large yellow eyes followed him around, but they didn't hold malice. The ragged ears atop the head also seemed to follow him, watching, waiting for attention. Despite the dangerous-looking appearance it had been nothing but docile and affectionate since it had come aboard. Was it intelligent?

  "It's not that we don't like him," Jeremy said. "It is just. . . I don't know. We weren't looking for a pet, even such a well behaved one. We don't want to turn it over to the scientific department because they will want to dissect it or study it and he is too nice and gentle for that."

  Luke looked down at Felix curled up by his feet, staring up at him. What was it and what did it want? The scars, seen fangs and claws proved it could be dangerous but it had been nothing other than gentle, except the one time when it had moved to defend Brita, something Luke didn't want to think about. In retrospect, perhaps he had been wrong, but the fact it would defend others made it more trustworthy in Luke's eyes. It had followed Amanda and Jeremy when they evacuated the ship and returned to Athena, but it had come back to New Alamo with them.

  Scowling Luke nodded. Why did it have to be his problem now?

  "I'll take care of it," Luke said. 'Maybe,' he didn't say out loud. He sure couldn't take it to Athena with him.

  "Thank you, Commander," Jeremy and Amanda said, and beat a hasty retreat to the door before Luke could change his mind.

  "What am I supposed to do with you?" Luke asked Felix. The creature looked up at him and then lay his head back down and rubbed its back against Luke's leg.

  "Musashi?" Luke said and Musashi stepped forward.

  "Don't even think about saddling me with it," Musashi said. "I'm a trainer of warriors, not a beast handler, and I'm not your side kick. Ask Gray."

  Gray shook his head, "What would I do with it? I can't assign it to a platoon and we can't bring it to Athena. Find it a home here?"

  "Who will take it?" Luke asked.

  "That's not my problem," Musashi said leaning back against the wall. "You have a meeting with the Prime Minister in about twenty minutes. You better think of something. If you leave it here with me, I'll test its combat skills."

  Luke grinned at Musashi.

  "Remember how he saddled me with apprentices?" Luke asked.

  Musashi smiled back.

  "Righteous, very righteous," Musashi said with a nod of approval.

  Gray chuckled, "I like it."

  "You want to live with the Prime Minister?" Luke asked Felix. Felix just shifted a little but otherwise ignored Luke.

  "Just like a cat," Luke said and reached down to scratch Felix's head. Felix raised his head to Luke's hand, forcing him to scratch harder and Luke just laughed.

  * * * * *

  Luke entered Mark's office with Felix beside him but because of the big desk Mark didn't see the creature at first.

  Mark froze his hand halfway up to shake Luke's when he saw Felix.

  "Um," Mark said lowering his hand and staring at Felix.

  "Go lay down," Luke said and Felix strolled over to a corner and lay down like a well-trained dog.

  Mark just stood there for several seconds staring at the creature. Luke tried to conceal his surprise it had understood and listened.

  "So, this is it?" Mark asked.

  "Yep," Luke said with a smile that put Mark on his guard. "He is like an over-sized cat, potty trained I'm told, eats whatever you give him and he is friendly. I have heard no bad things about him."

  "Huh," Mark said as Luke sank into a chair. "You act like he hasn't been with you long."

  "Well, Leonessa can't keep him on Athena because of quarantine and all. Lieutenant Commander Cussack, and Captain Blake couldn't keep him so they dumped him on me."

  Mark nodded and stared at Felix for a few moments before sitting down.

  Turning his attention back to Luke, Mark looked at the Commander over steepled fingers. His mind moving on to other things.

  "Congratulations," Mark said. "Athena would be more than happy to host you and your staff as a Conglomerate adviser and New Alamo Liaison officer."

  Luke nodded. He still wasn't sure about that.

  "Thank you," Luke said, it would be nice to see Leonessa but he would have to avoid dealing with the staff officers at Athena. Staff officers were some of the worst.

  "I would also like to congratulate you on your promotion to NADF Admiral," Mark said with an evil grin.

  "Oh, hell no!" Luke said. "We both know I'm not admiral material!"

  Mark shrugged as Luke tried to think of a way out of it.

  "You have time in grade, seniority, plenty of medals, decades of combat experience and the council approved it,. Admiral Day and myself both approve it. You are now the most junior New Alamo Defense Force Rear Admiral, can't promote you in the Marines, yet. There is no higher rank than Comm
ander in the Mercenary cadre, but there is talk of making one."

  "That's screwed up," Luke said, scowling at the Prime Minister. "We don't have enough people for another Admiral."

  Mark just smiled.

  "Plenty of staff positions and it will give you more weight on Athena," Mark said and a dismissive shrug. "You aren't being promoted just to screw with you, I'll bust you back down to Commodore later when I tire of the novelty, but until then it is Admiral Kishi. If you want to make too much of a fuss, we can do it in front of all the senior NADF officers. We could make a gala of your promotion."

  Luke glared at Mark. The Prime Minister would do it, so Luke held his tongue.

  "Now on a serious note," Mark said. "There may be a problem with Athena."

  "A problem?" Luke asked, rank forgotten. He could always get busted down a rank or two. Maybe. People were more tolerant of heroes so it might not be so easy.

  "I don't know if I am putting you in danger or not," Mark said and got Luke's full attention. "But something isn't right. Athena transitioned to Josaka earlier than they planned."

  "They were under attack by Caliphate forces," Luke said but Mark shook his head.

  "I think there is more too it," Mark said. "You know the Jupiter Alliance task force on the other side of the wormhole?"

  Luke nodded.

  "That appears to be an invasion force," Mark said. "They were planning to invade and subjugate Athena, not defend it. Even they didn't know about the Caliphate invasion force until you tangled with them."

  "I thought Athena was part of the Jupiter Alliance?" Luke said.

  "Well," Mark said. "Not that simple. The Jupiter Alliance was modeled after the United Nations and based in Atlantia on Europa. In theory, all members of the Alliance have a say in Alliance politics. Each of the members has authority to maintain their own military and forces. Some allies prefer to outsource those duties to the Alliance Secretary General or appropriate agency, like Alliance Intelligence. They pay in resources, or money, or favors instead of troops or ships."

  "What gives them the authority to invade and conquer Athena?" Luke asked.

  "I'm trying to find out," Mark said. "When New Alamo left, we pulled out of the Alliance and that pissed off a lot of people."