Garrett said, "Is that the portal ship we're looking at?"
I nodded. "Yes. And I believe the freighters to either side are cesium haulers. Each jump might consume as much as a full load."
Jack zoomed in on one of the freighters. "I bet he doesn't use a full load for a local jump. Moving that fleet from Odenta to here wouldn't require near the energy as jumping all the way from the Triangulum would."
Garrett said, "Joni, I'm passing you the time estimate to reach that ship. Seventy-four hours should put you aboard her. I could run you in closer and shave a couple hours off that number."
Joni replied, "Just stay where you are. I can do three days without issue. It looks to only be about three hours flight from there to the Jordan. I can say 'hi' to the ambassador while I'm there."
I said, "Just get on that ship. We need to destroy it, if at all possible."
Joni snarked, "Destroy it? Forget that. I'm taking that thing. We get control of that ship and we take control of this whole game."
I replied, "It's not that easy. My Talisans are down on that planet and the my family is at the Moddle worlds."
I could see Joni frown over her video feed. "Well, we get this ship, we can get your family. And we can always use it to threaten my uncle into giving up the Talisans."
With Joni on her way, my attention returned to watching Ambassador Gottlieb. "Captain," he said, "I noticed you have been observing the ground war. From a military man's viewpoint, what would you have done differently?"
The captain thought for several seconds. "I think they planned it out well. I might have given those ground troops a little more air support. Was there a reason that wasn't offered?"
The ambassador replied, "The planners thought it might cause excess damage. Our goal here it to take the planet in as intact a condition as possible. It then becomes a bargaining chip to use with the Kergans. They need the crops down there. The southern hemisphere is nearing harvest."
The captain shook his head. "Why is it the agrarian planets always have an axis tilt to them? Why does that make them better for crops?"
The ambassador looked at the image of the planet on the Jordan's main display. "I suppose it offers two growing seasons where most planets only have one. The history of Earth that we know, speaks of it having a similar tilt."
The captain crossed his arms. "I was told there were only five planets in all the Alliance with a that tilt. Strange the things one remembers."
The ambassador nodded. "Indeed."
Go entered the bridge, carried by two autobots. "Sorry, was too much happening for me to just lie there. Let me see the portal ship on the big display."
Jack swiped on his arm pad and the image of the portal ship returned.
Go nodded. "That is impressive. I wonder how many ships they are able to move at the same time."
Garrett replied, "Hang on and I'll see if I can work up an estimate."
Go asked, "How would you do that with any accuracy?"
Garrett tilted his head in thought as he punched numbers into the console. "Let's see, the old portal had what, thirty of those generators? I count forty-eight sections on that ship. Given the size, I'd guess four generators per section. So we are probably looking at six times the capacity of that stationary gate. They moved two thousand ships through there with at least 20 percent overhead. As a quick estimate, I would say they moved all twelve thousand ships here at once."
Go was silent for several seconds. "I could agree with that estimate, and with your methodology."
Garrett laughed. "Well, I'm just glad my methods meet with your approval."
The following day was spent looking over data gathered from the probes. Joni continued to lay out a chain of new probes as she powered toward the portal ship.
The ambassador received news. "It seems the Kergans remain defiant."
Dale Rogers replied, "What's our next move?"
The ambassador smiled. "Their capital world, Kergis, is about to experience the power of the Ares. I am to select a city for a demonstration of our power."
The captain rubbed his chin. "What are we going to do to this city?"
The ambassador turned. "We will be moving it from there to here."
The captain winced. "What do you mean… moving it from there to here?"
The ambassador sighed. "Come now, Captain. You know what the Ares is capable of. A portal will be opened just below the city's surface, and then sweep upwards, bringing the city to this location. It will be deposited right over there beside the Ares. And before you get all up in arms and ethical, Captain, remember, we are at war."
The captain scowled. "We fight wars as military versus military for a purpose, Ambassador. You of all people should know that."
Ambassador Gottlieb smirked. "Captain, we both know that wars are not only fought with weapons on the front lines, they are fought in the hearts and minds of the people. They are fought in the factories and schools. They are fought in the homes of the very people who provide warriors to the fight."
The captain gestured toward the image of Kergis floating on the main wall. "So you just pick a city and poof, all its residents are executed?"
The ambassador smiled. "I would not word it in that manner, but yes."
The ambassador moved closer to the display. "I have selected our target. Here... Mount Handreg. It is an agrarian city, roughly a hundred thousand in population. The loss of those who deliver their food supplies will fit nicely into our strategy."
The ambassador raised his forearm, speaking over his comm. "Colonel Rodell, the target city will be Mount Handreg. It will rotate to our side of the planet in about six hours."
The colonel replied, "Thank you, sir. We will begin the targeting process."
The ambassador opened another comm: "Governor Elriki, it has been decided that our campaign efforts will shift to Kergis directly. Unless your House of Kerg countrymen accept the terms of surrender, we will be forced to unleash our most powerful weapon on one of your home-world cities. There will be no fight. There will be no stopping or delaying our efforts with any ship or armada. The city in question will be destroyed in totality."
The governor huffed. "We are prepared to defend our capital, Ambassador. Your threats do not intimidate us and your demand for a surrender is ludicrous. Be prepared to lose, Ambassador. I will personally see you hanged."
The ambassador slowly shook his head. "The deaths of your people will be on your own heads for your defiance, Governor. I can assure you that the method by which this will happen will be such a shock to you and your House of Kerg that you will capitulate immediately following the event."
The governor returned an angry face. "And if we don't roll over on our backs for you?"
The ambassador scowled as he leaned toward the comm camera. "Then the next city to perish will be larger. The pain for you and your people will increase."
Ambassador Gottlieb began to pace in front of the camera as he talked. "Governor, all we ask is that you become a member of the New Alliance. It is not such a bad thing. Our laws are fair and just. Jobs under our guidance will be plentiful. And the threat from other species will be greatly diminished. Your people will be allowed to live in peace."
The governor frowned. "As slaves to your empire? I think not. We will stand, fight, and die before joining you."
The ambassador stopped. "So be it, Governor. In six hours, you will know the power we wield, and you will beg to join with us."
The comm was closed.
Dale Rogers looked at the ambassador. "So that's it? A hundred thousand innocent civilians die in six hours?"
The ambassador returned a stoic expression for several seconds. "War is brutal, Captain. People die, ships are destroyed, cities burned, whole populations annihilated. There is nothing pure or dignified or ethical about war. It is misery and pain and death."
The captain frowned. "There are always two sides to a war, Ambassador. One side is the attacker and the other the defender. Each side fights based on a different mo
rality. We are the aggressors in this war, Ambassador. For us there will never be a moral or just reason."
The ambassador stared for several seconds and then laughed. "You have a job to do, Captain. I would suggest you focus your mental powers on doing that job to the best of your ability, and not on denying that there are injustices in life. Just play for the team you are on, Captain. And be happy you are on the winning side."
Chapter 8
* * *
Joni said, "I'm about two hours from the Ares. I'll be there about the same time they sweep that city through."
Garrett commented. "You might want to hold back until they finish that. There's no telling what will happen. I don't want to see you getting squashed by a floating city in space, all because you were in the wrong place."
Joni replied, "I'll be fine. And... wait... the Ares is moving! No!"
Jack said, "I don't see any other movement. It looks like it's heading for the surface. Why would they do that?"
I sighed. "My guess? They will be attempting to move the city from one planet to another."
Go said, "That's not going to happen. I mean, they could move it from there to here, but they won't be able to do that in any stable way. Any buildings or structures will crumble. It will be like the worst seismic event one could imagine."
Ambassador Gottlieb gestured toward the main display. "Captain, after careful consideration, I decided you were at least partially right. Why should these people be needlessly sacrificed? Won't they be productive Alliance citizens when this is all over?"
The captain replied, "What are you planning, Ambassador?"
The ambassador smiled. "We had planned to move the city of Handreg from there to here. Why not make better use of our resources by attempting to deposit the entire city on the surface down there? If this works, Captain, your morals may have pioneered a new way to settle an uninhabited planet."
The captain returned a curious look. "How do you figure?"
The ambassador motioned above his arm pad. The wall display zoomed in on a section of Bolitha's surface.
The ambassador pointed. "This area over here will receive the new city. If we're successful with this move, imagine us constructing an entire city, from roads to generators, schools and hospitals, all built on an existing world with existing resources. Then, in a single move, the entire city, including its inhabitants could be deposited on a new world. There would be no settlement, no construction, no build up. The city would be pre-made and pre-populated. It really is an exciting concept, Captain. And I shall give you full credit for its inception."
The captain replied, "So you're moving the city from Kergis to Bolitha?"
The ambassador nodded. "We are. Perhaps the idea you spawned will save a hundred thousand lives today, Captain. That is quite the accomplishment."
Joni said, "I think I can make it down there before they move it again. And if our time estimates are right, I should be there before the portal sweep."
Garrett replied nervously. "Just be careful, all right? If it looks like they're powering that thing up, just wait until they're finished before you go in. Promise me you will be cautious."
Joni replied, "I can't promise you anything right now. I have to get on that ship."
Joni was soon dropping through the atmosphere and slowing as she approached the great ship. Standing almost on end, the Ares stood more than a kilometer in height. The dull gray exterior told the story of an uninspiring mission. The equipment housed inside told of something completely different.
As the video feed rapidly closed on the Ares, Joni said, "I'm going in up top. The rest of it looks like it's just for generators. If anyone is on there, they'll be where I'm heading."
The view of the outer hull quickly flipped to the interior of a room as Joni came to a stop. "I see bunks but I don't see where anyone lives here. I'm moving to the outer hall."
After several minutes of exploration it was evident the floor Joni occupied was for crew. Storage areas, showers, and an off-hour activity room all sat empty. Drifting upwards to the next level showed rooms of controls. Again, no occupants sat in front of the many consoles that dotted the rooms. The floor above yielded our first view of the Ares' bridge.
Joni said, "I think this is all automated. I see a dozen of those bots plugged into the wall over there. And if I'm not mistaken. That looks like one of the AI cores over there. Too bad we didn't get that AI comm figured out. We could shut this place down."
Garrett replied, "Can you patch me through to a channel on your comm? Maybe I can snoop and pick something up that we are missing here."
After several eye blinks through her helmet menus, a channel was opened for Garrett.
Joni moved over to stand in front of a console. "Looks like they only have six generators online right now. If that's all it takes to move a city, they have to have all kinds of excess power. Hang on, I'm going down to check out one of those generator decks."
Garrett said, "I'm getting all kinds of data on their comms. I have to wonder if Anterra was deliberately changing channels or making random swaps in an effort to keep us out. If this is their standard comms, I should be able to back-figure my way into Anterra. This could be the break we've been searching for."
Joni stopped, hovering just above a generator deck. "OK, I'm only seeing two generators per section. That means ninety-six total. I drifted through the outer part of the section and it's full of refined cesium. I would guess there's enough of a supply here for this ship to do a couple intergalactic jumps. You leave the Triangulum coming here, piddle around for a bit, and still have enough fuel to get back."
Garrett yelled out, "Got it! Go? You want to give this a try against Anterra? Load this into the comm system and then activate."
Go replied, "OK, but how do we know that it actually worked?"
Garrett nodded. "Trust me, it'll work. And, Joni, I'm sending it back to you. If you blink in you should be able to disrupt the comms between the AIs and their bots. If nobody else is there, you could walk around in your underwear if you wanted."
Joni laughed. "OK, well, I'm not going to do that. Besides, I'm not wearing any underwear. This suit doesn't allow it."
Garrett shook his head. "Nobody gets my jokes anymore."
Jack smiled, "Maybe they didn't get your jokes before and you just didn't pick up on it."
Garrett leaned in close to his comm camera. "No, they got it, and I was funny."
Joni said, "I just had another generator kick on. This might be the grab of Handreg. I'm going back to the bridge."
Fifteen seconds later our view through Joni's helmet had once again changed. The bridge was now full of autobots moving about from console to console.
Joni hovered over the generator console. "They powered up two more generators. And it looks like they came online instantly. I think this is it."
I asked, "Is there a console showing the coordinates of Kergis? I want to know if it tracks with the star maps we have."
Joni replied, "Passing those coordinates now. I'm seeing all kinds of activity on these consoles."
Garrett said, "I'm picking up a low frequency rumble over the comm. The portal is opening!"
Joni powered to just outside the hull, looking across at the area where the city transfer was expected to end. The portal moved down through the atmosphere. A wall of dust and dirt suddenly filled the video feed.
Joni frowned. "What the... no way! They brought the city in upside-down! They just killed everyone!"
The ambassador clenched his fists. "Idiots! How could you not know the city would come in the way it was swept away! This should have been done on the opposite side of the planet!"
The captain said, "You just killed a hundred thousand civilians, Ambassador."
The ambassador sighed as he opened a comm to the Kergans. "Governor, if you have yet to be informed, the city in question was Mount Handreg. Have your people take a look at where the city was. I give you one hour to respond before we move to the next targe
t."
The comm was silent for several seconds. "You will have your response, Ambassador," then replied the governor. "And for the record, this is an act of cowardice. The slaughter of innocents is not war, it's high crimes."
The ambassador returned an uncaring stare. "Governor, it would behoove you to hold your tongue. These conversations are all recorded and passed on to our command. When this treaty is signed and the Kergan Empire becomes a part of the New Alliance, which it will, there could well be those who would use these statements against you."
The Kergan scowled before closing his comm.
The ambassador turned to face Dale Rogers. "Captain, we should have our answer within the hour. Hopefully the Kergans will make the right decision and we can begin the process of assimilation."
The captain replied, "So the Kergans fall. Who do we pick on next?"
The ambassador turned, walked to chair and sat. "Three weeks ago I would have said the Grumar and Grotus. However, this new species, the Tamarins, we may need to find their home-world first. Of course, that decision will be up to the planners."
The captain sat in his chair. "If the Grumar and Grotus are taken, doesn't that give us the resources the planners want? Why even bother with another target?"
Joni said, "The portal is moving. I'm hopping back aboard. Garrett, how is your comm test with the AIs coming?"
Garrett replied, "Go can better answer that. Go?"
A video feed came in from the bridge of the Garmon. Go was lying on the deck.
I said, "I think we overlooked a minor detail."
Go replied, "Minor? All I can do is flop around like a fish. You shut down the comm to the bots that were carrying me and the bots went dormant."
Garrett replied, "Sorry about that, but we needed to know if this would work. If they try to jump elsewhere with that portal, we will have to shut down the AIs on that ship."
Joni said, "Give me five minutes and I'll have every console on that bridge mapped. They had six bots running during that sweep. I have to wonder if we'll need six to hijack this thing."
I replied, "We'll take a close look at them."
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