SWEET HOME ALLE BAMMA (SOLBIDYUM WARS SAGA)

by Musser, Dale

  “This is done without there actually being a real threat?”

  “Well, sometimes the scenarios are based on existing threats where engagement in conflict is considered a real possibility. Under those conditions they analyze as many scenarios as they can to identify the best courses of action. Other times they make up fictitious situations just to practice and hone their skills.”

  “I can see where there could be a value in such a program. I think it’s something the Federation military may find beneficial; but in the meantime, I’m afraid we’ll need to draw on your knowledge to help us.”

  For the next few hours we discussed how to go about setting up the FSO and defining its parameters of power and capability. The Federation had never seen a need for anything like this before and the admiral wasn’t sure how funding could be obtained from the Senate without making all of the FSO’s actions transparent. Considering the vast number of senators and the probability that the Brotherhood had agents within the Senate itself, establishing the FSO in a way that would allow it function covertly was not going to be an easy matter. In the end, I volunteered to foot the bill, at least for the short term, until such time that the FSO could prove its worth to the Federation and support the need for secrecy within the FSO structure. Both the admiral and I felt that our best chance was to get the Senate to agree to leave the supervision and decision making about the budgeting of the FSO strictly to the Federation’s three Leaders and the High Command. But there was a question of the legality of such action.

  The Federation’s government includes an entity parallel to what on Earth was called the United States Supreme Court, a membership of justices within one of the planet’s governments that rules on matters of legality based on the country’s supreme law or “Constitution.” In the Federation this body is called the Federation Legal Review Board or FLRB. Unlike Earth’s Supreme Court, FLRB members are not required to be judges, nor are they appointed by a Leader or president; rather, they are a constituency of members who have been selected according to their demonstrated knowledge of the law as defined in the Federation Constitution. Every university within the Federation territories submits their brightest and best law instructors and graduates to a pool of candidates who are subjected to a comprehensive exam. The exam is derived from millions of test questions compiled by all the universities. Randomly assembled questions appear in the test, which is given to all of the candidates. The highest scorers are tested again using a new set of questions. The top scoring candidates are then tested yet a third time, resulting in a final constituency of five members. The entire membership of the FLRB consists of fifty members, each serving on the FLRB for staggered terms of ten years, at which time they step down to be replaced by five new members. The rotation replaces five board members each year, resulting in a completely new constituency in any given 10-year period. If a member dies or is not able to serve their full term, that individual’s chair remains empty until their term would have ended. No member can ever serve another term.

  A two-thirds majority is required for a ruling to be made on a legal matter. If the panel is unable to reach a two-third majority within three votes, the matter is held until five new members began their terms, at which time the voting process is repeated. In the history of the Federation this situation had occurred only once.

  The FSO was a matter that would have to face the legal challenge of the FLRB, not only for its formation but for its continuation and funding. For the time being, however, the admiral agreed that there was a need to go ahead with the establishment of the FSO under the legal caveat of Federation maritime defense actions; and he would fight the battle with the FLRB later.

  It was close approaching the dinner hour and I asked the admiral if he and his staff would be staying. He declined, saying there were too many issues that needed his personal attention on the planet’s surface. Captain Stonbersa, Kala and I saw them off at the hangar.

  After they were gone Kala turned to me and said, “You look tense. I think we both could use a few laps in the pool.”

  One of the features of the NEW ORLEANS that I found most attractive when I purchased this space yacht was that it has not just one pool, but several pools – and gyms as well. My own personal suite was even designed with its own private gym and pool. I was still recovering from the stab wounds Lexmal had inflicted on me during the reclaiming of the DUSTEN, but the synthetic skin-like bandages had promoted effective healing of the wounds while also allowing me to bathe and swim. I knew that the regular exercise would continue to help heal and strengthen my injured muscles, so I accepted Kala’s suggestion.

  Taboos that are common on Earth are nonexistent throughout most of the Federation, especially taboos related to nudity. Consequently, the concept of bathing suits was foreign to its citizens and deemed silly by Federation standards. When I first met Kala, I was shocked when she joined me in a shower to “freshen up” before going to meet Captain Maxette on the DUSTEN. She was somewhat taken aback at the time when I described the customs and thinking of most of the cultures on Earth regarding nudity and sex. She was completely amazed that it was considered OK for a man to be topless at a beach, but not a woman, especially since, as she put it, “Both have nipples don’t they?”

  Kala had made me rethink many of the preconceptions, taboos and customs of Earth. For instance, why were certain foods reserved for certain meals? In the Federation there was no specific food that one ate only for breakfast or lunch or dinner; eating roast beef for breakfast and scrambled eggs and pancakes for dinner would not be looked on as out of the norm in the Federation. Also, marriage, as understood and practiced on Earth, didn’t exist in the Federation. Instead, there was a loosely practiced system referred to as bonding, which simply involved two people living together in a more or less exclusive relationship. Family units with children generally included bonded mates for parents, though single-parent families also existed. Ultimately, the legality of marriage simply didn’t exist on most of the planets.

  When we reached the pool, Kala wasted no time in shedding her uniform and diving in. I was a bit slower, as certain motions still caused me some pain. Lexmal had driven his knife into the muscles of my arms and legs and twisted the blade, leaving me with significant damage to the muscle tissues. Until I was fully recovered my movements would remain guarded and stiff. Nevertheless, I was soon undressed and slipping into the water to join Kala. In the past Kala and I swam laps together, equally matched in strength and speed; but now Kala clearly outperformed me while I swam at a firm, steady pace to work the aches and stiffness out of my muscles.

  As I swam, I reflected on all that had happened in just a few months. This all began when I found the TRITYTE buried in the swamp back on Earth and, in the course of investigating the craft, I accidently activated the homing device that brought it here to the Federation’s capital of Megelleon. I thought of all that had transpired since then, the friends I had made and, sadly, the friends I had lost. My journey since leaving Earth had been one unbelievable event after another and it didn’t look like it was going to end. I found myself wondering if all of this was some sort of crazy dream.

  When I reached the end of the pool, Kala was waiting and watching me finish my last lap. When I looked at her, I was even more doubtful that the experiences of these last few months were real. Kala was not only one of the loveliest women I had ever seen, but she was also the most incredible woman I had ever met. The fact that she was in love with me was almost too much to believe. Even though she was with me pretty much constantly, I regretted that we had so little time to share privately.

  As I pulled myself up out of the pool, I could see her examining my body. Gently she reached out to trace her fingers over the bright red scars of my recently healed wounds. “You’re going to have permanent scars unless you have the scars removed medically.”

  “I really don’t care. It doesn’t bother me to see them; but if they bother you I can,” I said.

  “No, I don’t think
they will bother me. I was just thinking… Lexmal stabbed you with the same knife that he used to kill Lunnie.” A brief sob escaped with Kala’s breath as she thought out loud, “Some of Lunnie’s blood was still on that knife. It was mixed with your own; and now, in a sense, Lunnie is a part of you.”

  “Even without being stabbed with the same knife Lunnie is a part of me,” I said. “Her memory will always be a part of me.”

  “What do you think about what Lunnie said in her message to me – I mean, about us having a daughter and naming her Luinella after her? Do you want to stay with me? Do you want us to have children? I understand your ideas about relationships and I personally agree with and like your traditional Earth values; but do you want us to stay together?”

  My eyes filled with tears as she asked me these questions. “Kala there is no one I could want to be with more or to have children with more than you; and if – no, make that when we have a daughter, not only do I think we should name her Luinella, I insist she be named Luinella.”

  Kala threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. We stayed like that for several minutes, knowing that the other was not only reveling in the shared love, but also revisiting the grief of losing Lunnie. Then, to my surprise and amusement, Kala said, “I’m hungry let’s get something to eat.”

  The next few days were bustling with activity, as all sorts of supplies and laboratory equipment were brought aboard for Cantolla’s laboratory needs. A number of assistants hired by Cantolla also began to appear and each was tested by Kala to ensure that their loyalties did not lie with the Brotherhood or any other subversive group. Marranalis also had new recruits coming aboard to serve as my personal security force. Kala tested them as well, while Marranalis addressed provisions for their quarters and gear and set up the required training schedules. Then there was the admiral’s staff; 120 troopers to be trained for Special Operations units and 50 more to be trained as undercover operatives in the newly formed FSO. Even with the addition of these people to the existing personnel on the ship, there still were many accommodations and other spaces on the NEW ORLEANS that were not in regular use – too many spaces left basically unseen. For security purposes I felt that there needed to be someone on the ship that was aware of all of them. While still preparing for our departure, I assigned Captain Stonbersa and Kerabac the task of visiting every space on the ship. However, by the time we were ready to embark on this long journey with the admiral and his officers, they reported that they had been able to survey and visit only about 80% of the ship. They both assured me, though, that once the ship was underway, there would be ample time for them to finish investigating the remaining unexplored areas.

  Our first stop was to be Nibaria, the planet where the NEW ORLEANS had been designed and constructed. Nibaria was the closest inhabited Federation planet in the vicinity of Megelleon. By the time we arrived at the planet the reactor was ready. Cantolla had been able to resurrect the plans for the solbidyum reactor from the TRITYTE, just as Lunnie had done; and with minor adjustments she was able make a reactor design suitable for a planetary power production system. The only problem was that the Nibarians didn’t know we were coming.

  During my previous trip to Nibaria to purchase the NEW ORLEANS, I had met with Senator Tonclin, who represented the people of Nibaria within the Federation governmental and legislative body; so it was logical that he would be the first individual we would contact upon our arrival. Without revealing the purpose for our visit we contacted the senator and said that we had a matter of interest to Nibaria that we wished to discuss and asked whether it would be possible for him to join us for dinner on the NEW ORELANS. We received a reply almost immediately that Senator Tonclin would be most pleased to dine with us that evening, if it was convenient for us. As it turned out this was perfect timing.

  Since we had arrived in orbit over Nibaria’s capital city early in the morning, we had an opportunity to deal with other matters before the scheduled dinner. I requested a meeting with Admiral Regeny, which he accepted immediately. Instead of meeting in the large conference room with his staff, I elected to meet with him privately in my study, which was an exact duplicate of the study in my estate house on Megelleon. I was staring into the large aquarium behind my desk, marveling at how many varieties of fish resembled the fish of Earth, when Piesew announced the arrival of the admiral.

  “Admiral, thank you for responding so quickly to my invitation. I know how busy you must be as you get settled in and organized,” I said.

  “Actually, Tibby, I’m at a loss for something to do at the moment, as my staff is still making all the necessary arrangements; so I have a bit of free time. Besides, it would be rude not to respond to your request after all you’ve done and are doing for the Federation. By the way, I must say this is an incredible office you have here. Absolutely amazing! I love the aquarium wall; and the dark wood paneling gives this space a real air of class and power. But I’m guessing you didn’t invite me here to see your office, now, did you?”

  I chuckled, “No, sir, I didn’t. Please have a seat.” I indicated two large, comfortable chairs arranged around a small table. “Would you care for something to drink?”

  “Perhaps a cup of foccee,” said the admiral. Piesew immediately went to a panel in the wall that opened to reveal a drink dispenser, from which he retrieved two cups of foccee, one for the admiral and one for me. Then, once his duties were performed, he departed the room in accordance with Federation protocol.

  “What I want to discuss with you is a means of expediting the delivery of the solbidyum and reactors to some of the planets in the Federation. It will involve some risk, but if we can work out a few security issues, I think we can speed things up tremendously.”

  “You have my interest, let’s hear your plan.”

  “The solbidyum reactors are quite small, considering the incredible power they produce, and the solbidyum itself is but a grain of sand. I was thinking, if you have people you know and trust on the receiving end, we could modify gravity wave message pods to deliver both the solbidyum and the reactors to planets where there is little likelihood of them falling into the wrong hands. We obviously would not be able to do it for very long, because word would quickly leak out to the Brotherhood and other nefarious parties, who would then be looking specifically to intercept the pods. If we could send out several hundred at the same time, before the Brotherhood or anyone else learns what we we’re doing, you could quickly head off the political ploy that the Brotherhood will try to create by claiming that the solbidyum is being hoarded. The big problem is that we can’t provide any preliminary warning that the delivery is coming. It’s an uncertain option in more ways than one; but the biggest risk is that the party receiving the delivery is potentially not loyal to the Federation.”

  I could see the admiral mulling over the idea and weighing the risk against the benefits. Finally he said, “I must admit it, this course of action would prevent a lot of problems; I just don’t know how we can assure that the people receiving it at the other end will see to it that it is employed properly. All it would take is for one delivery to go wrong to create dissention among a number of planets. However, that having been said, I would suggest that you stock up on GW message pods while we’re here near the Nibarian suppliers.”

  Although the Federation had been able to overcome the restriction of light speed by using gravity waves for propulsion, they had not been able to come up with a method of instant communication over spans of light years. Even so, the Federation was able to communicate using gravity wave pods (GWPs) that could carry messages at faster than light speeds; however, communication beyond a solar system could take weeks or even months and two way communications was extremely limited. Because of these constraints, even GWP communication could take several months to arrive with news at the more remote planets of the Federation. The mutiny and coup of the Brotherhood and the news of their defeat still had not reached most of the planets in the Federation. In fact, nearly half the plane
ts in the Federation still had not gotten word that the TRITYTE and the solbidyum had been found. It was still uncertain how large the Brotherhood was or the extent of their reach across the Federation; and it was entirely possible that, when news reached various branches of the Brotherhood in other parts of the Federation, their ranks might stage mutinies and revolts before hearing of the ultimate defeat of the Brotherhood at Megelleon. To compound matters, as word reached planets throughout the Federation of the discovery of TRITYTE, many other unscrupulous individuals and groups would be also be scheming intercept a shipment either for their own use, for black market sale or even for ransom.

  “Tibby,” Admiral Regeny said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said about your planet having vids – or what did you call it? TV, I believe – and documentaries of battles and wars on your planet. If we were to position satellite receivers 20 light years out from your planet to pick up broadcasts of these programs from the more distant past, we could glean a good amount of Earth’s military history from these transmissions.”

  “Hm, you’re right. I hadn’t thought about that. If you placed twenty of them one light year apart you could basically get twenty years’ worth of transmissions in one year.”

  “Exactly. I’ll leave orders before we head out of the system. It will take several months to deploy and position all of the receivers; but once they’re in place, we can immediately begin gathering data. Within a year we should have a good foundation of information as to how your planet wages war and implements battle strategies. It could make a huge difference in our dealings with the Brotherhood or other entities that may decide to engage the Federation in conflict over the solbidyum or any other matter. In the meantime, we can draw upon your knowledge to help us develop the proper approach to various encounters. I just wish we had a fleet of ships with RMFF and cloaking capabilities like the NEW ORLEANS, but the Federation has made it clear that using solbidyum to power our military airships is forbidden; and without solbidyum we can’t produce enough power make an RMFF work.”