“I want the ape man! Show me the ape man!”
Johnny walked onto the bridge. “Jasper? What the…”
Mace unbuckled his belt and stood. “Mr. Collins?”
Jasper let out his normal country cackle. “Yep. How you like my fleet?”
Mace sat back in his chair. “Your fleet?”
Jasper nodded. “They almost had me with that food. I wrote myself a note that I absolutely had to stop eating after a week. Only problem was, it took me three months before I stumbled across it. Told myself I had to build a still and then fast for three days while only drinking the booze. I had to put on a show for the Targarians, but they ain’t all that bright when it comes to our customs anyhow.
“Took me a week to come off that drug, after that it was a snap to take over the ship, and then their fleet. That’s why we backed out of the fighting at Harkoza. The Quelli stayed because they thought we were gonna make a move on the other colonies. When that didn’t happen, they decided they were gonna annihilate the prize Humans. I hope I’m not too late.”
Jeff said, “Stark’s command is reporting twenty-two centers destroyed. That’s out of just over a three hundred. And they caught all four of the embryo ships, Mr. Hardy. One headed to Moscow, one in North Africa, one in Southeast Asia, and the last one in Argentina. He says 55 percent of the embryos were delivered before those ships were destroyed.”
Jasper smiled. “Well, it’s over now. With this fleet we can protect Earth, at least until the battle is over at Harkoza.”
With the fighting finished, the Rogers returned to Organ Cave. The Targarians, under the command of their new king, Jasper Collins, assisted with the aftermath. In a week’s time, order had been restored.
Jasper’s flagship, the Revelation, hovered just above the ground over the cave, dwarfing the Rogers. Jasper sat in his rocker on the gift shop porch, smiling.
Mace rubbed his temples as he sat on the steps. “I could use a drink about now. King Collins? How about you?”
Jasper clapped as he rocked back and forth in his chair. “Flounder-head! Bring us some booze.”
For the moment, Earth was finally safe and free.
~~~~~
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HADRON
(Vol. 5)
Resurgent
Chapter 5.1
*
Three weeks passed before the Human ships returned to Earth. Of the sixty-four cruisers under Stark’s command, thirty-nine had been destroyed in the fighting. But the battle had tipped in the favor of the Galactic Union. Stark’s ship, along with six other cruisers, had followed the retreating Karthian ships back toward the rift they had come through. They had not been heard from since.
Mace, Johnny and Jane sat in an auditorium where the chief officers of Stark’s command were gathered. The men and women who had been placed in the controlling roles by Stark himself stood arguing with each other over who was responsible for what. The people were now free of the Mawga drug, and were beginning to get restless as to what they were supposed to do with their lives. Gone were the gleeful grins and the happy faces. Instead, a general unrest was beginning to spread.
Johnny turned to Mace. “This is starting to get out of hand. Without the effects of that drug and a strong leader, they’re gonna start shooting each other.”
Mace replied, “I know we wanted Stark gone. Now I’m not so sure.”
Johnny tossed a piece of popcorn in his mouth as he sat. “Didn’t realize how much I missed this stuff. Anyway, you should step in and take over.”
Mace shook his head as he laughed. “I am not taking that on. I have no desire to run the world. I’ll fight for our freedom, but I’m not gonna be an administrator. Command over the Rogers is about as far as I’m willing to go. You should offer your services.”
Johnny chuckled. “I don’t see that as a good option either. I don’t think I’d get along well with these jugheads.”
Mace took a handful of the popcorn. “Yeah, nobody ever likes you anyway. You’re kind of an ass���”
Jane cut in. “You know who would take right to this? Jasper.”
Johnny began to laugh almost uncontrollably. A piece of popcorn lodged in his throat, throwing him into a coughing fit. Mace smacked him hard on the back, dislodging the kernel. Johnny nodded his head in thanks.
Jane repeated her suggestion. “I’m serious. Look what he’s done with the Targarians. They practically worship him now.”
Johnny cleared his throat. “I don’t think we need someone the people will worship. That’s kind of what Stark was looking for.”
Jane replied, “I’m not saying that. I’m saying he has been fair and just with them, and they’ve obviously rallied around him. I might be crazy to say it, but he has drastically changed from the day we met him. He’s bold, assertive, doesn’t seem to have fear, and like I said, he’s fair.”
Mace added, “He also has his own fleet and set of colonies. He commands four species. I actually think Jane has a point. Of course, we’d have to run all this by him first before even suggesting it.”
Johnny asked, “And why would they be willing to turn power over to the old man?”
Mace pointed, “Look at them. None of them wants that responsibility. They need a strong leader. Jasper Collins might just fill the bill.”
Mace opened a comm. “Mr. Collins, we’re here at Stark’s headquarters. The people he left in charge are in chaos as to what to do. They all want power, but none wants the responsibility that goes with it. Where I’m going with this is that the lack of leadership is really starting to show. Not just here at the top, but at the community centers as well. The people are getting restless now that they are off the Mawga drug.”
Jasper nodded. “I was just over at the one at Ronceverte. And I know just what you mean. I had to break up a fight while I was there.”
Mace asked, “What were you doing over there?”
Jasper replied, “Taking my guys on a tour. I thought they would want to see how Humans were living now. Can’t say the people were too welcoming.”
Mace continued, “That’s what I was actually wanting to talk to you about. I know this might sound crazy, but would you be willing to fill in for Stark until a more permanent replacement is found?”
Jasper scowled. “What’s wrong with you?”
Mace pulled back. “Nothings wrong with me. I was just wondering if you might be willing to consider it.”
Jasper laughed, “No, you misunderstood. What is wrong with you being the one to take over? To fill in?”
Mace shook his head. “I’m not world executive material. You, on the other hand… you’re already doing that. You have a fleet, you have troops, you have an economy and resources that could be traded for… eventually.”
Jasper looked up to the right and then up to the left as he scrunched his mouth. “You suggesting I raid the Targarian coffers to rebuild Earth?”
Mace held up a hand. “Only suggesting you have the resources that might help smooth over a few bumps we might encounter.”
Jasper looked into the camera. “I’ll do it. But only if ape-man reports directly to me.”
Johnny spat out a mouthful of popcorn. “Now, wait a minute.”
Jasper laughed. “You’re too gullible, Tretcher. Was just jerking your chain. And Mr. Hardy, discuss it some more among yourselves, then come
back and ask me again. I need to mull this over with my staff.”
Mace asked, “Before you go, I have a question. The power heads for the plasma cannons, and the transducers for the dampener fields, Are those made by the Targarians?”
Jasper smiled. “As a matter of fact, they are. What would you have in mind, Mr. Hardy?”
Mace replied, “Are those resources you could get for us?”
Jasper nodded. “How many you need?”
Mace said, “We’re maxed out on the Rogers for transducers. We could use a few more power heads for our cannons. But what I’d really like are more transducers and reactors so we can update a couple shuttles to add back to the Rogers. We’ve lost both of the ones we had.”
Jasper replied, “I’ll send a Dauntless. Should have them back in a few hours.”
Jasper leaned in toward his comm camera and lowered his voice. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you three about. I think we have an opportunity to take control of the entire Galactic Union if we act swiftly.
“Reports from Harkoza have said they lost two thirds of their ships. The Sarkesians lost all of their Muhatha. Word is they are already gearing up to produce more. The Dellus are demanding they make upgrades also. It seems the Rogers has developed a reputation for being tough, and they all want that reputation, particularly since the Karthians are likely to mount another attack sometime in the future.
“They left with their tails between their legs, but with a sizable number of ships still fully functional. My staff puts the highest chance of return at about eighteen months.”
Mace frowned. “Eighteen months? That’s not very long.”
Jasper agreed. “It’s not. I for one have ordered my factories to start churning out cruisers. And I plan on loading them down with reactors, transducers, and those high-power cannon heads. If we have to fight, I want to be taking two hundred ships like the Rogers with me.”
Johnny asked, “How long does it take to produce a cruiser?”
Jasper replied, “Three months.”
Johnny laughed as he shook his head. “That math doesn’t add up.”
Jasper smiled, “I already have a hundred cruisers. Counting the nineteen here, and the Rogers herself, that only leaves eighty.”
Johnny replied, “And eighteen months divided by three gives you six more. I’d say that leaves you a good bit short of two hundred.”
Jasper nodded. “It does, which is why I’m talking about taking over the GU. That two hundred target could easily become four hundred. With that kind of force, I could have spanked the Karthians when they first showed up, sent them packing with no tails at all. And I mean that literally. If you haven’t seen the Karthians, they have tails. Kind of look like a cross between a small boy and a cougar.”
Johnny smiled. “Another small species. Kinda makes you proud to be Human don’t it?”
Jane said, “Or at least half Human, half ape in your case.”
Jasper grinned. “You beat me to that one, Miz Tretcher.”
Johnny replied, “You know, those comments used to frustrate me. I kind of enjoy the sarcasm now. In fact, I missed it while you were gone. Jane has thrown a few of those insults at me, but it’s just not the same.”
Mace said, “Have you had discussions with your staff about an overthrow?”
Jasper rocked his head. “Yes and no. I’ve attempted to bring up the subject in a roundabout way, but they haven’t caught on yet. I’ve thought about just flat-out asking them.”
Johnny said, “They do work for you.”
Jasper winced. “Most do, yes. But there are GU spies among them. So I have to be careful, unless I’m ready to fully commit.”
Mace stroked his beard. “Have you given any thought to a strategy? Who would you attack first?”
Jane leaned in. “You know, this probably isn’t the best place to be discussing this.”
Jasper nodded. “I agree. Can I meet you on the Rogers in, let’s say, two hours?”
Mace stood. “We’ll be there.”
The comm closed.
As the trio walked out of the auditorium, Johnny said, “Another war, huh?”
Mace replied, “Not without some thorough discussion first. We’d need to know precisely how many ships are left with each founder.”
Jane said, “If I was planning this, I would seriously think about capturing their gatrellium supplies first. You do that and their big ships are almost useless. And they wouldn’t be able to defend their colonies from any sizable fleet.”
Mace chuckled. “Sounds to me like you’re already are planning this.”
Johnny nodded. “Yeah, I’d say that would have to be among our top considerations. You control the gatrellium and you control travel between systems. Otherwise, we’re talking years to get from one colony to another.”
The shuttle landed in docking bay one of the Rogers. Lunch was eaten in the dining hall, followed by a check with the crew. The trio, along with the other senior members, gathered in the conference room. Jasper soon joined them.
Mace pushed an expanded starmap up on the wall display. “The blue dots are the capital colonies of the other six founders. The green dot is Jasper’s Targarian capital. The Sarkesians, the blue dot farthest to the left, have no Muhatha, just two Callista and five Dauntless left. The Dellus have a single Muhatha, five Callista, and twelve Dauntless. The Gorange and Dunden Heap have similar numbers. The Quelli, as we know, are down one Muhatha and two Callista. And the Zinka are down a Muhatha.
“Now, the Zinka, the Quelli, and Jasper and his Targarians are on the outs with the GU by not joining the fight against the Karthians. They are also the species whose fleets are the most complete. My first worries would be the Zinka and Quelli ganging up on us.”
Johnny pointed, “We have Jasper’s fleet. He should be able to crush the both of them.”
Jasper replied, “I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Those Quelli ships actually held their own against us. We had superior numbers, but it took more than we thought to take out the ones we did.”
Johnny teased, “What about your superior Human tactics?”
Jasper frowned. “They ain’t playing by the Union rules any more. They fought the same as we would have. Us being the big bad Humans don’t mean squat when we’re stuck on a ship. Hand-to-hand? Now that’s where we crush ‘em.”
Johnny asked, “The nuke ships, it seems like everyone has them.”
Jasper nodded. “The Targarians had a half dozen stored away. I just happened to bring one with me. Glad I did. I suspect they might be one of those un-talked-about secrets that everybody knows. It makes sense. They would each want something that would destroy one of those Muhatha ships.”
Mace flipped an image of one of the small ships onto the display. “Were any of these used in the war at Harkoza?”
Jasper shrugged. “Our intel from there is spotty. And with no one admitting they have these, I’d bet any use was kept quiet.”
Jane raised her hand. “Who do you feel is the more powerful of the two? The Zinka or the Quelli?”
Jasper thought to himself for several seconds. “I would have to say the Zinka. They look like a mini-centaur. Kind of a mix between a Shetland pony body and a ten year old boy upper torso. And, believe it or not, their preferred weapon is a bow. Everyone else has these short swords. Except the Gorange. They had a kind of trident.”
Liam said, “Interesting. We have a centaur with a bow and an aquatic with a trident. Anyone seeing a little Greek mythology coming to life here? Perhaps we had visitors several thousand years ago.”
Jasper shook his head. “Doubtful. Neither of those species was conducting space travel at that time. In fact, as far as space travel goes, most of the founders were in their infancy back then. However, I guess it’s not impossible, either.”
Mace attempted to pull the conversation back on topic. “So the Zinka fleet, you think it matches up to yours?”
Jasper nodded. “We have an extra Muhatha,
but that’s about all. And if they get help, well, that puts us at a disadvantage.”
Johnny said, “Why can’t we put together boarding parties with the grappling shuttles?”
Mace replied, “If we’re talking a single ship that works. I don’t think you want to be out there cutting through a hull with other ships around. They’d pick you right off that hull.”
Johnny winced. “Good point.”
Mace focused the display on the Zinka capital, zooming in. “Should we plan out an assault? If we fully join the Union, we could get help from the others. In fact, since Stark went off to fight for them, they might already consider us members.”
Jasper scowled. “They won’t consider me a member. Not after we left them high and dry at Harkoza.”
Mace said, “Maybe this is an opportunity to get back in their good graces. They will all want defense against the Zinka and Quelli.”
Jasper looked over the holo-image of the Zinka capital planet. “We might be able to pull off a strategy of hit and run and hit again. We hit their ship factories and gang up on half a dozen ships, and then leave, wait a couple hours, and return while they’re still recovering. Take out another half dozen. Rinse and repeat. Once we get superior numbers they won’t last long.”
Hans replied, “What if they make use of those nuke ships?”
Liam said, “Can we add any shielding to the Rogers to protect us from that? We have the weapons to take them out, we need shielding.”
Johnny grinned. “We could always paint the outside of the Rogers with lead paint.”
Jeff said, “He may have a partial solution. And a spray-on application would certainly be the easiest to apply to our hull. I’ll get with Gnaga and the others to see what we can come up with.”
The discussion continued for several hours. When the meeting ended, Jeff left to work on the hull shielding. Mace and the others returned to the bridge.
As they walked onto the deck, Jasper looked around. “I miss this place… but only a little. The flounders take good care of their king.”
Johnny asked, “Where’d you get the fancy battlesuit?”
Jasper replied, “I had them design it for me. Notice I don’t have an exosuit attached to it. It’s built in, which is cool, because now it’s protected from plasma fire, where the old one could easily be taken out.”
HADRON Revelation Page 27
