by S A Asthana
“The High Council has handed down its next edict.” Belle’s face went long. “They wish to enslave humanity.”
“What?” Bastien’s eyes enlarged, their fiery yellow brimming with anger. “Why?”
“They deem humans an imperfect, problematic creature. They’ve decided man has run his evolutionary course.”
“And they think machines should carry the evolutionary torch forward?”
Belle nodded. “They value the certainty of circuitry and logic over benefits of carbon-based thought and dreams. They want to control us.”
“… and Alice is okay with this directive?”
Belle turned to face the tunnel that stretched away from them. A video played in the distance as if upon an invisible screen. It was Alice staring directly at someone or something she was addressing. “I have our defenses ready,” she said. “The enemy thinks themselves stronger than our military capabilities. They couldn’t be more incorrect in their assumption. As they come into the Martian atmosphere, we will unleash our might. We will consume them, and we will crush them.” She wagged a finger with confidence. “And then, we will launch a counterattack that will bring Nippon One to its knees. The city and its people will capitulate swiftly.”
An anger unlike any before it swelled inside Bastien’s flesh and metal chest. His fingers curled into fists, bulging the muscles in his right forearm and riding a cable down his left. He said through gritted teeth, “She can’t. A counterattack will only ensure mutual destruction.”
The video faded. “She was created by humans — how could she do this?”
“Much the same way the High Council, who were also created by humans, want to do this. Artificially created systems, turning on their creators.”
“Like the green fogs.” Bastien shook his head.
“Except those aren’t sentient. Just mindless miasmas floating along. Lethal, sure, but still innocent entities simply doing what they were created to do. The threat humanity faces now is unlike any before. Artificially crafted beings have aligned in their distaste for their creators. They have the means to bring mankind to its knees.”
Images of the 1.V10, the fleet of 1.V9s and 1.V8s, the tanks, the humanoid attack-bots and the highly trained military personnel flooded Bastien’s mind. The Martians’ army was formidable. Not that the Nipponese’ capabilities weren’t equally impressive, even if they leaned towards defenses. They were now overseen by lunatics — the new emperor and empress weren’t sane. There was no negotiating with them. Not if Marie could help it.
As if reading Bastien’s mind, Belle said, “Trying to persuade the Nipponese is a lost cause at this point. The probabilities of them, or of Marie, turning a corner are extremely low. We stand a better chance trying to persuade, if I can even call any effort by that name, the High Council.”
“You’d have to broaden your hack to all three and not just the mother. Perhaps there’s a way to delete recollection of the treaty or Marie altogether from their memory.”
“Perhaps, but you must accept — none of this will be easy, and there will still be fatalities.”
The ugly certainty. “I know. Still, we can try to save as many as we can, Belle.”
She walked to him and held his hands. “You’re a good man, even after everything.” Her gaze fell to his left hand. “Or a cyborg, I should say.”
Things had changed drastically since Bastien had found Belle in a chamber below the Parisian sewers with the intent of assassinating her. The two now brainstormed a fight with an unfamiliar evil. They’d come a long way —him a cyborg, her a whole brain emulation — two compassionate humans now living post-human existences. It was hard to make sense of it.
Father Paul’s words echoed in his mind. “Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Wisdom for any age, whether bronze, iron, industrial, technological, or space.
Bastien eyes remained on the darkness at the tunnel’s end. “What if hacking the High Council doesn’t work?” A moment of doubt. “What if the two colonies still end up annihilating one another?”
Belle pondered the query, her eyes brimming with data. “It’s a possibility. There’s a fifty percent chance, per my calculations. If it comes to that, we focus on evacuating as many as we can from here. It’s the only logical answer. We can save some and preserve our species.”
“Evacuate to where? Back to Earth? Neither the Nipponese or the Sydneysiders would last a day on the surface.”
Belle walked ahead. “We wouldn’t have any other choice. Unless we find out about an unknown colony, Earth is our only option.”
The gravity of their situation seemed to suck the air out of the tunnel. The challenge created a vacuum. “Fair enough. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Belle shook her head.
“Then, I will focus on saving Reo. He doesn’t deserve being executed, which is exactly what will happen.”
Belle nodded.
“All right. Let’s get to work.”
Hacking the High Council was a matter of life and death for humankind. And saving Reo was the right thing to do. Bastien shut his eyes and prayed. “Lord, rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them from the hands of the wicked.” Worshiping again felt good. It calmed his pounding heart in a way nothing else could. “Deliver them out of the hands of the wicked.” The monster in him was fading, loosening its grips on a still-righteous soul.
Father Paul stood next to him, his warm hand on Bastien’s shoulder. He also prayed. “God is to us a God of deliverances. And to God the Lord belong escapes from death. Amen.”
“Amen,” said Bastien. His flesh and metal chest swelled with hope. The time had come to make a difference.
END OF BOOK TWO
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APPENDIX I: THE TRILATERAL TREATY
TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN NIPPON ONE, PORT SYDNEY, AND NEW PARIS
Archived in Nippon One’s Governmental Library
Treaty and protocol signed at Port Sydney, conference room 101, floor 1 on June 28, 2112, by representatives of all three colonies. Entered into force January 10, 2113, as between contracting parties.
The contracting parties represented by:
Port Sydney — The honorable Alan Stephenson, Prime Minister
Nippon One — The honorable Haruto Honda, Emperor
New Paris — The honorable Louis Dubois, King
THE COVENANT OF THE THREE TWO COLONIES
The contracting parties, in order to promote intercolonial cooperation and to achieve solar system-wide peace and security, align
By acceptance of obligations not to resort to war,
By the prescription of open, just and honorable relations between the colonies,
By the firm establishment of the understandings of solar system laws laid out in this treaty, and
By the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations (Articles One through Fourteen below) in the dealing of organized peoples with one another.
ARTICLE 1: FAIR AND JUST REPRESENTATION
Each colony must provide a treaty representative, one individual or a body of individuals, on a yearly basis. This is to ensure equal representation in matters governing intercolonial agreements and contracts, and other such matters involving the rights of each colony.
ARTICLE 2: THE RIGHT TO DEFEND
Each colony has the right to defend itself against another by any means necessary if provoked or attacked. Attacks/provocation can include but are not limited to, destruction of colony property and or citizenry, blockades of shipments, and cyber breaches. A response can include, but only as an absolute last resort, a similar rebuttal to the attack or provocation.
ARTICLE 3: GOVERNANCE OF SPACE
Each colony is to be involved in decision-making about space m
atters immediately surrounding the orbital paths of Earth, Mars, and the Earth’s moon. This includes, but is not limited to, deployment of satellites and/or space stations, directing space traffic, and military and/or civilian security of said space traffic. Lack of inclusion of a colony will make any decision null and void, and any subsequent output non-sustainable.
ARTICLE 4: FAIR AND BALANCED TRADE
Each colony is entitled to fair and balanced trade with its neighbors. This includes the trade of goods and services and open borders. Unjust price hikes for goods and services owned by one colony and deemed necessary for survival by another colony can be considered an act of aggression. The closing of borders to other colonies can be considered a deterrent to peaceful relations.
ARTICLE 5: SOVEREIGNTY OF COLONIES
Each colony has complete control over the political, mercantile, and military processes within its border. Interjection by a foreign colony is deemed an act of aggression, which in turn can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 6: RIGHT TO WATER
Each colony is to have access to Earth’s remaining bodies of water for usage of consumption, and or other industrial processes if required for free. Colonial monopolization on water cannot be put into motion. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 7: RIGHT TO SUN
Each colony is to have access to the solar system’s sun. No colony shall deploy any technology that impedes another colony’s ability to benefit from the sun or its heat. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 8: PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
All colonies are prohibited from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, or stockpiling nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Colonies are barred from transferring or receiving nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, control over such weapons, or any assistance with activities prohibited under the Treaty. Colonies are also prohibited from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices. Colonies cannot allow the stationing, installation, or deployment of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices in their territory. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 9: SPACE EXPLORATION
All space exploration will be done with good intentions and is equally open to all colonies that comply with Trilateral Treaty. No one colony may claim ownership of outer space or any celestial body.
ARTICLE 10: BORDERS
No colony can expand its borders, for purposes of living, research, or removal of waste without approval from other colonies.
ARTICLE 11: EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS
Each colony is obligated to extradite an individual accused of committing a crime in another colony or an individual who has been convicted of a crime in that other jurisdiction, and any harboring of such individual(s) is an act of defiance towards peace amongst the colonies. Penalties of breach can include sanctions on goods and services until the individual is returned.
ARTICLE 12: SPACE LAW
Crime, such as theft and/or murder, amongst others, outside of colonial borders, on land, and or in space, will be arbitrated using laws of source colony or colonies from wherein involved parties hail. No colony has jurisdiction outside of its borders.
ARTICLE 13: AMENDMENT OF TRILATERAL TREATY
Any amendment to The Trilateral Treaty can only occur with representation from all colonies. Lack of inclusion of a colony will make amendment null and void, and any subsequent output non-sustainable.
ARTICLE 14: SPACE OBJECTS
Colonies shall retain jurisdiction and control over their space objects, and shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects. Colonies shall avoid the harmful contamination of outer space.
APPENDIX II: CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is an ancient religion and is currently estimated to have less than 100 followers, mostly in New Paris (update: after the city’s destruction in 2209, this religion is now considered extinct). It is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and savior of all people, whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament and chronicled in the New Testament.
Archived in Port Sydney Database 7996 — Old-World Religions
Jesus: Christians believe that Jesus, as the Messiah, was anointed by God as savior of humanity and hold that Jesus' coming was the fulfillment of messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The core Christian belief is that through belief in and acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans can be reconciled to God, and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life.
Death and resurrection: Christians consider the resurrection of Jesus to be the cornerstone of their faith and the most important event in history. Among Christian beliefs, the death and resurrection of Jesus are two core events on which much of Christian doctrine and theology is based. According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified, died a physical death, was buried within a tomb, and rose from the dead three days later.
The death and resurrection of Jesus are considered the most important events in Christian theology, partly because they demonstrate that Jesus has power over life and death and therefore has the authority and power to give people eternal life.
Salvation: Paul the Apostle believed that sacrifice can bring about new kinship ties, purity, and eternal life. For him, the necessary sacrifice was the death of Jesus. Christians concern themselves with how humanity can be saved from a universal condition of sin and death.
The Bible (from Koine Greek τὰ βιβλία, tà biblía, "the books") is a collection of sacred texts or scriptures. Varying parts of the Bible are considered to be a product of divine inspiration and a record of the relationship between God and humans by Christians. In the old-world, the Bible was considered to have more significant impact on literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on old-world history is undeniable.
APPENDIX III: NIPPON ONE (THE SOLAR SYSTEM FACT BOOK)
THE SOLAR SYSTEM FACT BOOK — COMPILED BY PORT SYDNEY MILITARY, AUTHOR: LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALICE SMITH
YEAR COMPILED: 2209
NIPPON ONE (EARTH’S MOON)
History
Founded: 2074
Mining & Scientific Outpost: 2074 — 2109
Human Residential Colony: 2109 - present
Leadership: Emperor K. Honda (ruled from 2109 — 2130)
Emperor Dai Honda (ruled from 2131 — 2149)
Emperor Akiyama Honda (ruled from 2150 — present)
Geography
Location: Tycho Crater
Selenographic coordinates: colongitude 12
Diameter: 282, 152’ 0”
Depth: 15,748’ 0”
Primary natural resources: silica, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, iron, titanium, He3, and H2o
People and Society
Population (estimate): 2,000,550
Nationality: Japanese
Races (estimates): 90% Asian, 10% Other
Languages: Japanese, English
Religion: Buddhism (state-sponsored)
Average life expectancy: 85
Government
Type: Monarchy
Economy
Type: State Capitalism
Taxes: 20 - 25% of income
Industries: Nippon One’s major industries include automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, semiconductors, and iron and steel. Additionally, key industries in Nippon One’s economy are mining, nonferrous metals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, bioindustry, military technology, space, textiles, and processed foods.
Population below poverty line: 4-5%
GDP: 4970.35 billion Yen
Key exports: raw materials (magnesium, aluminum, silicon, iron, titanium), pharmaceuticals, processed water and foods
Key imports: Martian carbon dioxide, solar energy, euphoria (update: not after N
ew Paris’ destruction), calcium, potassium, deuterium and chromium
APPENDIX IV: NIPPONESE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY (ATTACK/DEFENSE)
1) SONY DEFENSE SATELLITE SYSTEM (SDSS)
Purpose: defense
Location: deployed in lunar orbit
Estimated count: 110
2) 6th GENERATION NISSAN PLASMA CANNONS
Purpose: defense
Location: deployed around Tycho Crater
Estimated count: 4
3) SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE SYSTEMS
Purpose: defense
Location: deployed around Tycho Crater
Estimated count: 100
4) KAMIKAZE SPACECRAFT
Purpose: space offense & defense
Comparative Martian Tech: 1.V9
Estimated count: 25
5) SPACE MOBILE SUITS (SBS)
Purpose: ground offense
Comparative Martian Tech: Tanks
Estimated count: 10
6) SUZUMEBACHI SPACECRAFT
Purpose: space defense
Comparative Martian Tech: 1.V2
Estimated count: 10
7) ARMY INFANTRYMEN
Purpose: ground defense
Location: deployed across lunar surface
Estimated count: 100,000
THE FINAL WARS END
Find out more about the third book in the Final Wars Trilogy at www.SAwritesSF.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I like to write about robots, spaceships, and explosions - also, blood. To learn more, check out my site:
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