“Good point, Al, can you handle that please?”
Al replied, “On it. I’ll let you know when I hear back.”
Over the next couple of days, the answers all trickled in before we left for Leira on Monday. I believed Bill must love me, because he was the first, and his answer was yes. I couldn’t wait to see him again, but I wouldn’t see him for another five days or so.
Karen agreed if she could take her husband and kids with her. She liked the idea of a new planet founded with like-minded peaceful people. And it would be, we excluded military technologies, so most of those types of scientists would be left behind, except for ironically, Kristi and I who were two of the founders.
Caroline accepted as well, she was hoping she could work with scientists from other worlds and possibly break through the issue she had with the nanites. She refused to give up on it despite what she’d said the other day.
Jason was the only one who declined. He wanted to make his invention and rake in the cash. I couldn’t blame him for that, so I wished him luck. He would continue to work in our building in Colorado Springs, which would eventually get shut down when he succeeded with his project, or gave up.
It would also make me some more money I didn’t need, and Joe would be able to make Jason, Kristi, and I even richer when he sold it through the contacts he still had to develop on many worlds. It would be necessary anyway I think, some money would as long as other worlds were involved. My goal was to simply make it less necessary on ours, until the rest of the galaxy figured out it was a waste of time. Resources and energy were far from scarce.
I arranged to have them picked up by a third party on Monday and brought out, right before our announcement, so everything seemed to be going to plan as we arrived at Leira. To be fair, I was expecting the plan to fall apart and need tweaks after it had been announced, the preliminaries were in secret and fairly easy to swing.
Leira was different again than anything on Athiren, Omara, or Tressia. They didn’t have the tall skyscrapers, but they didn’t blend in with nature either. They’re buildings weren’t that tall, except maybe Alnot’s palace, but they were extremely striking, complex, and beautiful buildings. At first glance, they didn’t appear to match any of the surrounding buildings, but the whole picture was somehow very well balanced. Almost as if the whole planet were a bunch of artists, including the architects.
It was Tuesday morning and I was still in the hotel suite when things changed again, and not for the better.
Al cleared his throat, and when I didn’t object in my mind, he briefed me.
“There is about to be another attack on the Bug worlds.”
I wanted a display in my overlay and got one, he also responded to another thought.
“Kristi has been notified.”
I reached into the display and zoomed it a little on the defending system and frowned, “That’s new.”
I still didn’t know what they could do, but there were eighteen of the new larger ships, equally spaced in front of the swarm of one million five hundred thousand ships, half of the swarms from the one million per each hive, of which there were three at every world. The humanoid ships were less than half of that, yet with missiles and keeping their distance while using them, it more than made up for it.
As the humanoid ships reached the outskirts of solar system, all one and half million Bug ships went to FTL for just over a second and dropped out in the midst of the attacking vessels. There was also a large line of small explosions behind them. Then they all attacked humanoid ships in groups of fifty.
The first enemy plasma barrage took out thirty thousand, the second volley of plasma took out another thirty thousand, before the third volley the humanoid ships managed to jump to FTL and retreated toward the core. They’d just lost sixty thousand ships and I was frozen with horror. The Bugs didn’t chase them, instead they turned back for the planet.
“Al, what the hell happened? Didn’t they deploy anti-FTL gravity missiles.”
Al replied, “Yes, that’s what the long line of small explosions were. I believe the lead ships emitted a protective screen of some sort, perhaps a major gravity weapon that destroyed the missiles before the missiles could reach their ships. It’s the most likely explanation for the missiles exploding just before reaching the ships at FTL.”
I frowned, “Yeah, okay. I can see that. Still, without dark energy that would take a tremendously large fusion reactor.”
Al replied, “Well, those new Bug ships do put out a tremendous amount of energy, perhaps most of the bigger ships are a reactor.”
I bit my lip in thought, “You know, it may be these new ships weren’t in response to the attack on their first colony at all, but due to them all dying by gravity missiles during the waves sent at the Seltan.”
Al was silent for a moment, “Insufficient proof, but it is more likely than the other explanation. The gravity missile was not utilized in the other attacks on the Bugs, and their new ships appear to be specifically designed to defend against that.”
Kristi joined me in my room, her face was drained of blood.
“That… sixty thousand ships. Most of them Seltan, only a handful from Earth and the other planets. What can we do?”
I frowned as my mind raced, “Let’s make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
She rolled her eyes, “Godfather quote? Really?”
I shrugged and smiled a little sheepishly, “The platforms are done and in position, I could knock every bug in the galaxy out of space in the next few minutes. But all that would be doing is giving the Seltan free reign to blow up planets with impunity. Even in the face of the loss of life we just witnessed, I can’t contribute to their genocide.”
She calmed down a little and looked thoughtful, “You’re right, that’s exactly what would happen, so what do we do?”
I replied, “When we put out our thing on Monday, we’ll also offer to take care of the bug issue, but only if everyone agrees to leave the planet’s alone once they’re quarantined from space.”
She was silent for a moment, and then asked softly, “And if they lie? And then go after the planets anyway?”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to blow them out of space. If I quarantine the Bugs, I’m responsible for them. So pray they don’t lie, and believe what we say, because I don’t know if I could live with either option.”
She blew out a breath, “Fine, I agree. They might not even take the deal.”
I shrugged, “Maybe, but with those new ships they can swarm directly into solar systems, and the deal will be public record. The leaders, even that bitch in the White House, won’t last in their positions very long if they don’t take the deal and Earth ships continue to die.”
Kristi snickered, “Geez Alicia, how do you really feel about the president? Don’t hold back on my account.”
I blushed, “Sorry.”
Kristi patted my arm and said in a conciliatory tone, “I’m right there with you. I’m actually pretty excited about founding a colony, but I’d rather it wasn’t necessary too. Plus, we gave her the protective bustier, no charge, and no gratitude at all for it, I tell you, people these days,” she said half joking.
I giggled, “Good point. I forgot about giving her that. Did you have a chance to go over the city ship yet? Make sure I didn’t screw anything up?”
Kristi nodded, “Not finished yet, but so far I fixed a few things. All software, the hardware looks solid, but I didn’t expect any different for that part.”
“Thanks, I really do suck at software, did you look at my scan interface?”
Kristi smiled teasingly, “That wasn’t actually too bad, you must have worked hard at it, but I still made a few tweaks. It worked right, but it was inefficient.”
She added in a resigned tone, “You know the twenty-four worlds in the original treaty will accuse us of holding the galaxy’s safety hostage right?”
I nodded in agreement, “We kind of are. But then every world strips the ri
ghts from, and jails, those that commit murder. It will just be political double talk and rhetoric. I hate that we have to blackmail twenty-four worlds into doing the right thing, but I didn’t make the rules.”
Kristi sighed in annoyance, “I agree, and I believe it’s the right thing, just don’t expect to be universally loved when we save the galaxy… again.”
I giggled, and then it grew into a long belly laugh. She was right of course, the twenty-five worlds in the new treaty might be thankful, but I could live with the others hating me, as long as they kept their word. If they didn’t, I wasn’t sure I could live with either decision I’d have to make.
She said faux sternly, “Don’t you dare start cackling like a crazy person bent on galactic domination.”
I lost it, and laughed so hard that I had to sit down. It wasn’t even that funny, I just couldn’t stop laughing. Too much stress, I was losing it.
Chapter 16
The rest of the week flew by as Nora and Senna showed us around Leira. It was nice because I really didn’t have the time to look around the last time I’d been here. Friday morning it was time to go, and I had butterflies in my stomach as we returned to our house ship, and went to our new home. I wasn’t sure if the butterflies were because I was about to claim a planet, as one of its leaders, or because I was blackmailing the galaxy into playing nice at the same time, or maybe because I was finally going to get to see Bill again.
It was probably all three.
“Jones world!”
I glared, “Absolutely not. How about Kristiville?”
She just gave me a look and I shrugged helplessly, that one was bad, and not even a planet name. We were still trying to come up with a good name for our new world. Scientist colony just didn’t sound good. It was also supposed to be a part of the claim. Of course, with our speed we were already there, and leaving subspace to land in one of the humongous landing bays.
I sighed, “How about Minerva, Roman goddess for wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, and war strategy. That’s kind of as close to scientist as the gods come. It also covers the idea that we can just about stomp anyone else if we’re forced to defend it.”
She pondered that for a moment, “Alright, that sounds okay, but are you sure Alicia’s world isn’t good?” she asked faux innocently.
I glared, and she just laughed at me, and then Joe did too, he couldn’t hold it back anymore.
Al said, “Minerva as the name of the world has been added to the claim.”
“Thanks Al.”
“You know, I’m really glad I put the landing bay on the bottom, it’s the only door on this thing.”
It was a serious design flaw, but I never imagined landing it, just taking shuttles down to planets and back up.
She snickered, and we got up and headed downstairs, to enter the city ship’s landing bay… through the landing bay on our house ship.
“Al, are our guests here somewhere?” I asked, this ship was huge.
Al replied, “They are in the quarters you assigned, they arrived earlier today.”
I looked over and Kristi smirked, “Go for it, we’ll be in our quarters, I know you’re dying to see him. Just don’t forget to send our message out.”
I nodded, “Al, send it,” I ordered, and then I walked toward Bill’s quarters, which just happened to be, by some odd coincidence of course, right next to mine. Considering the man gave up his gun to come out here, because we were using non-lethal means such as gravity generation in case arresting someone became necessary, I was almost positive he wouldn’t mind.
When I walked up to the door, it just opened, and I wondered if there was a security issue, or if he added me to his approved list for opening the door.
Al said, “He added you first thing, and then started learning about the internal security features of this ship.”
I smiled, and walked in, “Bill?”
I felt a huge release of emotions, and my body relaxed, as I set my eyes on him for the first time in a couple of weeks. It hadn’t even been that long really, but I’d missed him more than even I’d realized, until my body melted into his as he claimed a kiss hello. It was a really good kiss, and he showed no signs of stopping. Oh, alright, he can say hello back later… much later…
I was lying against him in bed, feeling much better and more relaxed, when he smiled, “It’s good to see you Alicia.”
I laughed a little breathlessly, “I could tell. You too.”
He asked, “How many of us are on this behemoth?”
“Right now? Just… six. It’ll grow though. Just three scientists, me, Kristi, and Caroline. Joe’s going to deal with other worlds, you’re going to make sure I don’t go crazy, and Karen is going to deal with applications and assigning rooms.”
He nodded, “So she assigned my room?”
I blushed, “Umm, no. I did.”
He pulled me closer and kissed my head, “Is that why I’m so close to you?”
I nodded shyly, which was odd considering where I was and what we’d just been doing.
Al said from the speakers, “I hate to interrupt you, but there are numerous ships heading in system.”
I muttered, “Damn, I should have sent the message after the greeting.”
Bill chuckled, “You bend some more people out of shape?”
I said to Al, “Bring up five percent shields Al,” I looked up at Bill, “I suppose that’s possible,” and then I explained exactly what was in the message. New world, joining new treaty, blackmailing galaxy to not commit genocide, and… well I think that was enough probably, but there was also the scientist invite as well.
Bill whistled, “I don’t blame you, I understand the difficulty there. Plus, I’m also kind of biased.”
I smiled softly, “How so?”
Bill kissed me, and then said, “Blinded by love, obviously. It’s also why I up and moved into space.”
I asked, “Isn’t it a little soon for that? Not that I don’t feel the same because I do, and you…” I trailed off as he put a finger across my lips.
Bill smiled, “I knew the moment I saw you again, I had it bad for you when you disappeared off to college when I was going into what, ninth grade? It’s different now of course, not a child’s feelings, but you are you, and it was so easy to fall, I’d do anything for you.”
I sighed, and kissed him again, “Me too.”
Al cleared his throat, as if reminding me we were under siege by thousands of ships. In retrospect, perhaps this hadn’t been the best time for us to declare our feelings and intentions toward each other.
Then Al said, “You’re being called by several people. Based on the scan data I’m reviewing, it looks like Earth sent ships first, and then others saw that and sent ships, possibly to defend you, it’s very confused out there right now. Twenty worlds currently have ships here, and that number is growing by the minute, ironically they’re all using your taxis to get here, except Earth of course.”
I sighed and banged my forehead softly on Bill’s shoulder. I’d been expecting trouble, but this exceeded my expectations. I really didn’t want to fight anyone, it’s one of the reasons I’d left Earth, my situation had been untenable there, it was either let them destroy me, fight back, or build my own place. I’d chosen the last option, obviously.
“Who called first?”
Al replied, “The Earth ship, they were here first, and have five hundred ships with him. Admiral Abramov.”
I nodded, “Very well, Al just in case move the ship so that if they fire and miss it won’t hit the planet. Go ahead and answer the general’s call, and make sure all the ships here can see it, or rather hear it. Oh, and no video at all please.”
I was a bit indisposed, not to mention sweaty. Even I didn’t want to see my hair right now. But mostly it was the naked in bed with my lover part.
“Admiral, you’re on a party line. Looks like a lot of people have come to welcome my new world in the fold, w
hat can I do for you today?”
Bill played with my hair, and lightly drew circles on my back with his fingertips, it was rather calming but also distracting as hell.
General Abramov said coldly, “You will surrender and return to Earth where you will be held pending an investigation and trial into the events of the last few months.”
I sighed and said in exasperation, “Sergei, I did tell you that you’re on a party line, did you hear me? Are you sure you want the galaxy to know the Earth turned on me because the president has a twist in her skirt? I’ve broken no laws, and by the laws common to all I staked a claim for this world. I have a treaty with twenty-five other worlds, who I might note are not genocidal, as of… two hours ago.”
Wow, I’d been in Bill’s quarters longer than I’d thought. Time flies.
I continued in a more challenging tone of voice, I was really kind of pissed actually, “You are now in my space, and in violation of my borders, and threatening me. Do you really want to attack me here, and risk the galaxy turning against you for an act of aggression against another sovereign world? I do believe that’s against the treaty you signed. Go home Sergei.”
Al, bring the test shuttle here please, I thought carefully.
Sergei responded, “This is a false claim of a liar and a thief, Earth is disputing this claim and we will apprehend you today at all costs. That looks like a pretty ship, don’t make me destroy it.”
I groaned, why doesn’t anyone listen?
“Alright Sergei, we both know you have no proof of that since I didn’t do anything illegal or wrong, the only thing I did was hold too much power for the worlds’ leaders’ comfort while I saved your world. That means none of the worlds will pay any attention to your accusations about a false claim. I won’t submit to it, I also have no wish to destroy Earth ships, so I’ll make a deal with you Sergei.”
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