Blackstone leaned against the map-module and found that he was breathing hard. Total annihilation of everything on Earth—the cyborgs meant to smash the most critical planet to Social Unity and the Highborn. This had to be from the cyborgs. The Highborn could have dropped the former farm habitats on Earth if they’d wished for planetary obliteration.
“Prepare a message for Supreme Commander Hawthorne,” he said.
“We already have,” Kursk said. “What are you going to add?”
Blackstone blinked at the red image on the screen. Had they spotted the asteroid cluster in time? With a start, he began adjusting the controls. There was no telling how little time they had to make the right moves. Weeks from now, the asteroids would approach Earth. If they were going to halt planetary extinction, they had to act now.
-34-
Supreme Commander Hawthorne swam laps in an Olympic-sized pool on the Third Level of New Baghdad. His long arms churned through the water as he fluttered-kicked. Back and forth through the clear water, stroke, stroke, breathe out, turn the head to the side and sip air. He let everything go as he swam through the chlorine-smelling water. The muscles worked and the heart pumped. This was better than stims and allowed him to sleep a solid five hours each night. These days, he couldn’t achieve more. He’d lurch awake in bed, his eyes would snap open and he’d be realize his mind was working over a tactical problem or a strategic conundrum. At that point, it was impossible to get back to sleep.
His fingertips brushed the edge of the pool. He curled his long body, turned and brought his feet around. As he began to push off, he heard a shout. The temptation to keep swimming was strong. This was the one time in the day when his problems slid away. Instead, he stopped and treaded in place. Water ran from his hair and he wiped his eyes.
“Sir,” said Captain Mune, “the cyborgs are trying to obliterate Earth.”
“What?”
Mune began to tell Hawthorne about the asteroids hurtling toward Earth.
-35-
At 8:31 P.M. that same evening, Supreme Commander Hawthorne began an emergency meeting of his Strategic Council. They met in the conference room on Level Three of New Baghdad. Director Juba-Ryder of Egyptian Sector joined Air Marshal Crowfoot of Earth-Air Defense, Security Specialist Cone, Field Marshal Mead of Missile Defense and Field Marshal Baines, Commander-in-Chief of Eurasian Defense.
***
From the Supreme Commander’s biocomp transcriptions, File #12:
The meeting opened with a presentation by Colonel Tong of Space Defense. He spoke in an otherwise silent room. Every eye watched the grainy pictures he presented slide by slide. Even Captain Mune watched, momentarily forgetting his preoccupation with protecting the Supreme Commander. Afterward, there were terse questions. Colonel Tong gave the best estimates. Impact time was predicted as minus forty-three days, a little over six weeks from now. Soon thereafter, the Supreme Commander began to speak.
HAWTHORNE: It is difficult to grasp the magnitude of the situation before us. The historians tell us that once dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then a comet or possibly a stray asteroid struck the Earth. The Age of the Reptile ended with vast hurricanes as hundreds of species perished in something worse than a nuclear winter.
The Jovian information we received about the cyborg assault there almost two years ago I consider critical. This moon Carme, it shows us the cyborgs attempted this once before.
MEAD: Indeed, this is a catastrophic situation. But I fail to grasp this certainty that the cyborgs initiated the attack.
HAWTHORNE: I consider the proof conclusive, but it doesn’t matter. The asteroids heading at these unnatural speeds for Earth are all that matters. We must deflect or destroy them.
MEAD: Indeed, the dedicated scanning that allowed us to find these anomalies, these so-called asteroids—
TONG: They are asteroids, sir. Some are debris fields. Some are ice like the first asteroid.
MEAD: Please do not interrupt me, Colonel.
JUBA-RYDER: Is there any possibility the Jovians have fabricated this evidence?
HAWTHORNE: I believe the primary evidence originated with the Planetary Union and then from our own Mars Battlefleet.
TONG: That is correct, sir.
JUBA-RYDER: I find it suspicious that this—what are they called again, these Jovian warships?
TONG: Do you mean the Meteor-ship Spartacus?
JUBA-RYDER: Thank you. The meteor-ship’s approach to Mars is very suspicious, seeing as it occurs at the same time as these asteroids.
HAWTHORNE: I believe some of the Spartacus’s scanning data helped the Battlefleet discover the asteroid-cluster. Maybe as important, their sharing of information concerning the cyborg assault on Jupiter gave us reason to scan so thoroughly. I trust the Jovians in this. They fought off the cyborgs and have good reason to fear another attack.
JUBA-RYDER: The Jovians have a treacherous history.
HAWTHORNE: That is inconsequential now. Together with the sharing of information, the donation of the meteor-ship was an act of good faith. Its position may be of use to us.
MEAD: Respectfully, sir, it is too far out for that.
HAWTHORNE: (shakes his head) It isn’t only a matter of distance but of speed. They have built up enough velocity to enter the fight.
MEAD: I don’t understand that reference, sir. What fight?
HAWTHORNE: Weren’t you listening to Colonel Tong’s address? The cyborgs converted Carme to a weapon’s platform. We must assume the cyborgs have employed the same tactic again. My Social Unity Loyalists, this is a grim situation. The evidence is direct and solid. We face extinction on Earth unless we can deflect or destroy these asteroids. I am ordering Commodore Blackstone to head out to engage the asteroids.
MEAD: Colonel, didn’t you say the battleships couldn’t reach them?
TONG: (glances at Hawthorne) I did not say cannot, but they risk annihilation, and it’s doubtful they could stop such a mass.
HAWTHORNE: They must strike the asteroids by launching missiles and using their lasers for long-distance fire. Perhaps as importantly, they will gain critical data on the enemy. There is a negative to this, however. Moving the battleships leaves Mars vulnerable. But at this point, we have no choice and must risk it.
MEAD: What of the Fifth Fleet between Venus and Earth?
HAWTHORNE: This is our last fleet other than the warships at Mars. Fifth Fleet contains two battleships, a missile-ship and some secondary vessels. The warships are reportedly in poor condition and the crews are listless. But they are Social Unity fighters and are armed.
MEAD: Can they intercept the asteroids in time?
TONG: Conditionally, yes.
MEAD: What is the condition?
TONG: The presence of the Julius Caesar and the Genghis Khan in Earth orbit.
HAWTHORNE: (Pauses, and glances at each of the participants in turn) Now we come to the heart of the matter. The cyborgs are attempting to obliterate Earth. The evidence to my mind is conclusive. The cyborgs mean to crush Social Unity and the Highborn. We must face the facts, as grim as they are. If we consider the islands of Earth and the surrounding territorial waters, the Highborn control a greater surface area of the planet than we do. They cannot wish total annihilation here. Otherwise, they could have already rained the drifting habitats onto the planet.
MEAD: (laughs) The Doom Stars can crush the asteroids for us. Why didn’t we see it before? Our problem is solved.
TONG: May I speak, Supreme Commander?
HAWTHORNE: (nods)
TONG: The asteroid tonnage en route suggests the cyborgs can outfight the Doom Stars.
MEAD: How did you arrive at this conclusion?
TONG: It is logical given the cyborg armament history on Carme and the number of asteroids or tonnage en route to Earth.
MEAD: These are not known, absolute facts.
TONG: No sir, you are correct. The asteroid tonnage is an estimate. It may be off as much as fifty percent either way. Yet given�
�
CONE: We must call a truce with the Highborn.
JUBA-RYDER: (stares angrily) Those are seditious words. Supreme Commander, I urge you to enforce your edict of November Third. Anyone suggesting surrender or accommodation with the enemy is to be summarily shot on sight. Your bionic captain could take Cone outside to perform the action.
CONE: With due respect, Director, you are failing to grasp the gravity of the situation. Social Unity is doomed on two fronts. The Highborn are crushing us. Now the cyborgs wish our extinction. There is only one possibility. We must call a truce with the Highborn, attach the Fifth Fleet to the Doom Stars and attack the asteroids. Whatever asteroids fight through them, Earth Defense must destroy with merculite missiles and proton beams.
JUBA-RYDER: I find your words incredible and the idea unsustainable. Surely, you are aware that the Highborn are mass murderers.
CONE: It is better to fight with murderers against those practicing species elimination. The Supreme Commander is correct to tell us that the battle in the Jupiter System points to this truth. The Jovians united with the Highborn and achieved victory over the cyborgs.
CROWFOOT: Will the Highborn see it that way?
HAWTHORNE: That is the question. Specialist Cone speaks too pessimistically concerning the conclusion of our struggle against the Highborn. But I accept the logic of her last statement. If we are to save the Earth, we must unite with the Highborn.
JUBA-RYDER: The genetic supremacists have murdered billions. We cannot possibly trust them.
HAWTHORNE: I never suggested we trust them. It may be that our salvation will occur in the fight against the cyborgs. For instance: what if the cyborgs destroy the Doom Stars for us?
CONE: I doubt the Highborn will sacrifice their warships for Earth, at least, not until all our spaceships are destroyed first.
HAWTHORNE: They aren’t gods.
CONE: Agreed. But they have proven to be our superiors in every endeavor.
HAWTHORNE: Your words now approach sedition, Security Specialist. Curb them at once.
CONE: (nods)
HAWTHORNE: We have little time left. The asteroids move at outrageous speeds. Therefore, I will attempt to open direct communication with Grand Admiral Cassius. Are there any further comments? No? Director, I see your hand. Do you have anything new to add to your previous objections? If not, please do not waste my time with a reiteration of your qualms.
JUBA-RYDER: (lowers her hand and stares at a spot on the conference table)
HAWTHORNE: Good. Then I declare this meeting adjourned.
-36-
Grand Admiral Cassius was aboard the Julius Caesar in near-Earth orbit over the middle of North America. The Doom Star supplied heavy laser fire against a cybertank charge out of Kansas City. The Tenth and Fifteenth FEC Corps together with the Twenty-Third Jump-Jet Division spearheaded a final assault against this stubborn knot of resistance. The cybertank charge no doubt attempted to blunt the FEC offensive.
Kansas City had been the focal point for the middle North American stronghold. During the conquest of the continent, the Highborn had bypassed Kansas City, covering the approaches with secondary units. The strategy had been classic Blitzkrieg, flowing through weak areas to cut-off and isolate the strongholds. Then they’d besieged the strongholds at their leisure.
“Impressive equipment,” said Cassius. He sat in his command shell, examining holoimages of the cybertanks. The one he watched had multiple turrets and independent tracks. It likely weighed well over one hundred tons. The laser beam from the Heavens was red-colored on the holoimage. Unbelievably, the cybertank’s armor withstood the laser for several seconds. It even sprayed a cloud of prismatic crystals over itself.
“Amazing,” said Cassius.
Then the heavy laser that could fire in a coherent beam an easy one million kilometers burned through the prismatic crystals and punched through the reflective and composite armor. Still, the cybertank launched missiles at nearby FEC troops and chugged thousands of rounds of explosive shells. Wisely, the infantry hugged the ground, staying out-of-sight. Several jet-jump flyers weren’t so lucky, but tumbled to the ground as bloody chunks of meat. Then the Doom Star’s primary laser destroyed the cybertank, turning the massive vehicle into a mound of slag.
The other cybertanks had already turned around, and roared back toward their underground bunkers.
“It’s too late for that,” Cassius said. “They should have kept charging, doing what damage they could. Now they will die uselessly. Premen are such fools.”
“Your Excellency,” said tall Scipio. “I’m receiving a strange message from the premen.”
“They wish to surrender, do they?” said Cassius.
“No sir. It isn’t from the resistance forces. Sir,” said Scipio. “This is a direct message from Supreme Commander Hawthorne of Social Unity.”
“Verify that,” said Cassius.
“I already have, sir. All indications are this is Hawthorne. Just a minute, sir,” said Scipio. “His office is sending us a download.”
“Put it into a lone system, unattached to the ship. We don’t want them infecting us with a computer virus.”
“It’s done Your Excellency,” said Scipio.
“What does the file say?”
The tall Highborn—Scipio—studied his board. He was silent for a time, his mannerism indicating absorbed interest. Then his bionic hand smashed against his board as he cursed loudly.
It brought Cassius to his feet. In several strides, he was at Scipio’s station. “Show me the information.”
Scipio turned harsh features toward him. “The war—” He shook his head. “This is beyond reason.”
“Show me,” said Cassius, as he put a powerful hand on one of Scipio’s shoulders, squeezing until the tall Highborn squirmed in probable pain.
Scipio pressed a button and wrenched himself free of the Grand Admiral’s grip. He stood and indicated that Cassius sit in his spot.
Cassius did so, and he began to watch video files concerning the ice-asteroid and the larger asteroid-cluster behind it. He received the information in silence, reading the accompanying text many times faster than a preman could absorb such a quantity data.
“Supreme Commander Hawthorne wishes to speak to you,” Scipio said.
Cassius stared at the tall Highborn. Scipio’s features had turned ashen-colored. The Saturn-originated asteroids, their unnatural speeds, the possibility they were armed as the Jovian moon Carme had been…. The cyborg strategy was obvious. It was ruthless, cold-blooded and brilliant.
With an oath, Cassius surged to his feet. He felt lightheaded. All his plans of Earth conquest—with a violent mental shove, he pushed those plans aside. He was the epitome of Highborn excellence. Quick mental acuity, the ability to shift onto a new strategic axis, those were the marks of Highborn superiority. Hardly aware of what he was doing, Cassius strode to his shell.
“Put Hawthorne through,” Cassius heard himself say. “Let’s see what this so-called preman genius wishes to tell us.”
-37-
“Shall I order a halt to the primary laser burning out cybertanks?” asked Scipio.
“Negative,” said Cassius. “Our attacks in North America have no bearing on Social Unity. North America is our territory now. We are merely destroying rebels.”
Cassius settled himself into his large shell. As he’d moved across the bridge, he’d been assessing the Saturn-sent asteroid strike. He breathed deeply, calming himself. Under ordinary conditions, he wouldn’t speak with an enemy commander now. Hawthorne had him at a psychological disadvantage. Yes, the Supreme Commander of Premen must have already taken time to ingest the news. This preman was also clever. Cassius mustn’t allow himself to forget that. But Hawthorne was still just a preman while Cassius knew himself to be the greatest Highborn of them all. So even though the preman had the psychological advantage, he would engage in direct communication. He accounted it as further evidence of his own genius.
“Ready,” said Cassius. He pressed a button on the armrest of his shell.
Before him appeared a holoimage of James Hawthorne’s head. The preman had a longer cranium than average, with a high forehead indicating intelligence. There was thinning, sandy-colored hair on top of his head and discolored bags under the man’s eyes.
He’s tired. The war relentlessly grinds him down. Cassius nodded. How could any preman hope to pit himself against the greatest Highborn without a heavy mental and physical price to pay? To be outmatched in every way—it must be a galling thing. To know that doom and abject defeat was all that awaited him…. Cassius could almost pity Hawthorne. Such a weak emotion was not part of his genetic inheritance, however. Instead, Cassius grinned inwardly. This preman had surely reached the end of his strength. Yes, this last news of the asteroid strike must have crushed his remaining spirit.
“I am Supreme Commander James Hawthorne,” the holoimage head said.
He has a firm voice, one filled with authority. Yes, whatever is happening to him, this preman is still used to being obeyed.
Cassius knew it would be so.
“I hope you have read the information we sent you,” Hawthorne said.
“I have,” said Cassius.
“I trust you understand its significance,” said Hawthorne.
Was the Supreme Commander trying to be insulting? Surely, Hawthorne must be aware that Highborn ingested information at five times the rate that a preman could. Why then did Hawthorne speak this way to him? What was the hidden agenda here?
Cassius waited, letting the full force of his powerful personality effect the preman.
“…We have been at war a long time,” Hawthorne said. “We have inflicted heavy damage on each other.”
Trust a preman to exaggerate. The Highborn had inflicted the heavy damage. The premen had done more in the way of gashing a man’s ribs in a knife-fight where the loser drags himself away with his guts in his hands.
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