“Captain Herl. I apologize for the interruption, but the Izod are aggressive, and they often make unprovoked attacks on us.”
“I understand,” Joan responded. “Was much damage done?” she asked.
“Minor. While we were under attack, I was made aware of additional information. I have been told that another one of your ships is in the Izod system and other personnel are in discussions with the Izod. Is that true?”
“Yes. After your unprovoked attack, there was a group of Izod survivors. We offered to return them to their system. There should be no problem with that,” Joan stated clearly.
Borrea stared at Joan for a few moments before responding. “Captain I must point out, that you are a guest on our planet and you should have told us of your meeting with the Izod.”
Joan sensed that the meeting was going in the wrong direction and she might not be able to redirect it.
“Captain you will remain here until we are convinced of your sincerity,” Telorr said in an authoritative voice.
I sense guards approaching, SIMPOC passed to Joan.
“Borrea that is unacceptable. We came here for an open and honest discussion. We are not responsible for your confusion. We are leaving. If you want further discussions, please contact us. I will remain in orbit for one planet rotation.”
Joan and SIMPOC rose and walked towards the exit.
Borrea was caught off guard. He wasn’t used to people being so independent and willing to take actions that he didn’t approve of.
Just before Joan and SIMPOC reached the door, it opened, and four guards entered. SIMPOC dealt with them quickly, and Joan turned to Borrea.
“Any further acts taken to restrain us will cause my ship to do considerable damage to this building.”
She didn’t wait for a response but turned, stepped over the incapacitated guards and followed SIMPOC up the hallway to their ship.
Shappel fires on Satellite
“Dr. Shappel, SIMPOC has just sent a message. They are airborne and will dock with the Chevesky in 18 minutes. We are to leave the rail guns armed and focused on their departure point until they are onboard.”
“Are their defensive weapons still aimed at us?” Shappel asked.
“Yes, they are armed and tracking us. Sir, one of their missile tracking systems on a satellite is preparing to fire.”
“Take it out.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Chevesky shuddered for a second as the huge slug left the ship. The satellite was only 142 kilometers from the Chevesky, so the rail gun slug moving at 25,000 mph reached it in 12.78 seconds.
“Sir, the other defensive systems have turned off their tracking systems,” Beta-Prime announced.
Dr. Shappel smiled a little then said, “Prepare for the shuttle docking.”
“Acknowledged.”
LL ‘Bugs’ Tobias
“Sergeant LL, this is Beta-Zero. I’m approaching your location. May I enter?”
“Yes, just be discreet,” was LL’s reply.
“Team, Beta-Zero is approaching our location,” LL announced over their shared comm network.
“Beta-Zero, what did you find out?” LL asked.
“My status hasn’t changed significantly from my last update. I have directed the mobile units that are maintaining the critical infrastructure to continue their work. Many of the supporting systems are developing difficulties and their continued success is unsure.”
“Beta-Zero, the people that we’re monitoring are professional and violent. What information have you gotten about violence?” LL asked.
“There has been little in the industrial areas where mobile units are supporting the infrastructure. But, numerous mobile units have witnessed violence between humans. Recently a group of humans in SUV’s have done harm to a number of groups.”
“I wonder if those are the people that we are monitoring?” LL said to himself.
“That conclusion is possible. Many of the attacks are centered around this area,” Beta-Zero added.
LL turned to his team and said, “Okay, we’ve got to figure out who these guys are and what they’re up to. We’ll keep an eye on them, and when they’ve left the area, we’ll go in and plant some ears. They haven’t seen us, so I don’t think they’ll suspect that anyone is around. I think we’ll be okay, but let’s make sure that all of them leave.”
“LL we’ve still got plenty of gear, so we can link them up pretty well,” said Morgan.
“Marty, what’s their status,” LL transmitted to Marty who was their eyes on top of the building.
“Looks like their packing up to go somewhere. It will be a few minutes before they’re in the vehicles. I’ll let you know when they’re moving,” Marty transmitted back.
“Ruth, get on the roof with O and keep your scope ready and if they return, provide us cover.”
“Roger.”
“Beta-Zero, there is a blind spot one block east of our location on K. Please go there and watch for any groups of black SUV’s. If you see any, transmit to us immediately.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Okay, let’s move out and get in position. We don’t know how long they’ll be gone, so I want to get in and get out. Questions?” asked LL. He knew there likely wouldn’t be any, but he asked anyway.
There weren’t any questions. The team was all professionals, and they knew what to do.
LL and the team moved down two flights of stairs and exited to the west staying close to the building. They needed to stay undercover and always have a plan to disappear. No one knew what direction the suspects would go, so LL always needed a plan B, and C. That level of planning is what kept them safe.
“Okay, most of them are loaded, except for their leader. Wait, here he comes, and he’s in the lead SUV. They’re moving out and heading east, so you guys are clear. O has eyes on them, and I’ll call when they turn off K,” Ruth whispered to the team.
As soon as LL heard that the suspects were moving in a direction away from them, he gave the team a quick head-nod, and they moved to the end of the alley.
“They turned down 11th,” Ruth whispered.
LL only needed to point in the direction, and the entire team was in motion. They crossed the street in 6 seconds and were moving east on the north side of K. When they reached the hotel, LL and Tobby moved north in the alley, and the rest of the team waited for them to get into position. The team waited 15 seconds, which was enough time for Morgan, O, and Michael to move into position.
“Back door,” LL whispered, and that was the signal for the assault.
Even though they didn’t think anyone was inside, they couldn’t take the chance.
Morgan, O, and Michael moved in through the front of the hotel and LL, and Tobby came in through the rear. They moved quickly, clearing each of the spaces to make sure there weren’t surprises. Both teams met in the lobby.
Once the team checked in with each other Tobby went to the rear entry, and O stayed by the front, both providing cover.
“Ruth, we’re inside and setting up,” LL whispered to his lookout.
“Roger. Marty and I are opposite sides of the roof to clear both directions,” was the simple reply.
Setting up the surveillance equipment went fast for the experienced team. The room was large, and a couple of small cameras in the corners near the ceiling wouldn’t be noticed. If they were noticed the assumption was that they were part of the building and had always been there.
The microphones were another thing; they might be noticed. The team came to D.C. knowing they might have to surveil different locations, so they were prepared. It was easy to place a couple of family pictures on desks that were transmitters as well as ornamental items in planters that looked like they belonged. The entire operation took 3 minutes.
“We’re done and moving,” LL whispered to Ruth.
“Clear,” was her response.
O came from the back entrance, and as a group, the entire team moved out of the front
of the building — each team making sure that none of them left any indication of their presence.
Within 30 seconds they exited the building and were across the street moving down the same side street they had approached from.
“Out of zone,” LL whispered to Ruth and O indicating that they were out of the area.
“Roger, still clear,” was Ruth’s reply.
Joan Returns to Chevesky
“Dr. Shappel, this is Herl, we are alongside the Chevesky,” transmitted Joan Herl.
The shuttle recovery went smoothly, and Joan and SIMPOC passed through the pressure door into the command area.
“Thanks, Doc, you did a good job,” announced Joan Herl as she patted the astronomer on the back.
“Thanks, it was a little touch and go for a few moments. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I couldn’t sit here let them fire on us,” said Dr. Shappel.
“Doc, I know everyone has to take on new jobs in our world today. I know you’ve never captained an intergalactic battleship, but you did well.”
Dr. Shappel smiled and took a deep breath letting it out with a noticeable sigh.
“I guess I’d better hone up on space tactics and weapons systems,” he said with a smile.
“I guess we all have to,” responded Joan with a smile. “After all, I used to be a training officer not too long ago.”
They smiled at each other and realized the magnitude of how their lives had changed.
“We’re going to orbit for a while and wait for their response. If we don’t hear anything we’ll leave the system and head back home,” said Joan.
“That’s good news,” said the doctor.
“Captain Herl, if you have a few moments I’d like to review the Chevesky’s sensor data?” Said SIMPOC.
“Sure, SIMPOC go ahead,” replied Joan.
“Captain, it appears that these ships have a robust sensor array designed for analyzing planets and associated solar systems,” spoke SIMPOC.
“SIMPOC, why haven’t we seen these sensors before?” Asked Joan.
“Captain Herl, this ship is huge, many times larger than anything Earth has ever produced. It has capabilities which are beyond my understanding. The computer system on board the ship is far beyond anything earth has ever created. I can control a limited set of operations, only because I have managed the input to the main processor, and I don’t see a capability until it is called and processed. When these sensors turned on they were fulfilling the main mission of the ship which is to analyze, catalog, and investigate all resources on the planet it is investigating,” said SIMPOC.
“Okay, SIMPOC I understand there’s a lot that we still need to learn about the ships. I’m not blaming you for not knowing everything, go ahead with what the sensors found,” said Joan.
“The main planet has a typical mix of resources, but the amounts vary considerably. The planet structure appears heavy in noncritical materials, perhaps that is why they were seeking the ability to mine Uranus within our system. The Chevesky’s sensors aren’t tuned to measure technology, but they did pick up the Terest spaceships in orbit on the hidden side of the planet. It appears the ship considered them to be minor planets, instead of recognizing them as spaceships. I was unable to determine their technical capabilities, as the sensors focused on resources. Based on recordings of the electronic transmissions in the solar system and other sensor data it appears that they have more than 20 spaceships. I was able to detect electronic transmissions typical of the ship that entered our solar system and attacked us in our previous engagement. They also appear to have a space station which was in a geosynchronous orbit opposite to our orbit location. Its capabilities are unknown,” said SIMPOC.
“A space station?” she wondered. “Find out anything you can about that.”
“Okay, so they have 20 spaceships like the one that attacked us. I told them we would orbit for a while, keep working on analyzing any technology that you can,” said Joan.
“Acknowledged,” responded SIMPOC.
“Captain Herl, there are other items which I have discovered,” said SIMPOC.
“Oh, what?” Responded Joan.
“I have retraced the computer logs showing which algorithms have been loaded and run. During my investigation, I have discovered that the ship operates on two modes. There is an en route mode and an on-station mode. When the ship is on station, the sensors are turned on and functional, but when the ship is in transit a different set of sensors are functional. When the ship is in orbit, or on station, it appears to have a higher level of alert. I believe that is because the ship is designed to remain as a sentry while the Jakeel are down on the planet. Remember, it has a huge manufacturing capability and is designed to support a startup colony on any world that it is harvesting. During that harvesting mode it has, I believe, weapons engaged, obviously to protect the aliens on the surface. I have been experimenting with those algorithms and investigating them, and I think I have finally deciphered some of the weapons aboard this craft. There appear to be two weapons; one is similar to the approach that I was investigating while in Earth’s vicinity, the ship is able to focus its power system or drive system so as to distort space around it. Remember we were able to use that approach to destroy some Cow-Robots. But now I believe that I can aim it better and focus the energy much better,” explained SIMPOC.
“And, what is the second weapon?” Asked Joan.
“This new weapon is something I still need to investigate further, but it appears to be an energy discharge weapon. As you are aware, this vessel has tremendous power reserves. That power can be used for interstellar travel, or in the weapons mode, a large percentage of it can be discharged in a certain direction. It is not a point weapon but a radiating weapon. Because of that it also has a limited range. As the energy moves away from the ship, it expands. It appears to be a highly effective weapon capable of destroying matter within approximately 5 km,” said SIMPOC.
All Joan could do was sit there thinking about what SIMPOC had just told her. Wow, thought Joan.
“As soon as we get back into Earth’s system, I want to test those weapons. I don’t want to do it here, in case we’re being watched,” directed Joan.
“Acknowledged,” responded SIMPOC.
General Quiang Knows Something is up and looks for Keung
General Quiang didn’t like what was happening. The virus had devastated China, but his country survived as it always had. The government was beginning to function although he wondered who was in charge. There had been rumors, and it became obvious at the last conference that forces were at play that he had to account for.
General Quiang parked his car on the north side of New Jingshan Street. Even though there was a no parking sign, he smiled and looked east and west on the street. There were no cars and only one person. I don’t think I’ll get a parking ticket, he thought.
After he shut the door, he turned and looked at the north gate of the Forbidden City. He could see far into the Forbidden City, and there was no one. It was empty. Over the many years of living in China’s Capitol and visits to the Forbidden City, it would be hard to imagine it empty.
There wasn’t much to be said, that was the reality of the new day. He turned and walked into Jingshan Park.
It was a pleasant fall day in the trees were approaching their brightest colors. There was a gentle breeze, and there was a rustling sound amongst the trees as he walked. He looked around the park noticing that it wasn’t as clean and perfect as it had been in the many visits that he had made to it over the years. There were few people left in China’s Capitol city, and it didn’t make sense for a large number of gardeners to tend the park, though some still were. The history of the park and their desire to keep it beautiful encouraged a few people to do their best to keep the cup Park beautiful. Unfortunately, it was a losing battle. Regardless, that didn’t bother the general as he walked.
The thought that kept coming back to him was an old proverb that repeatedly popped into his min
d.
“When there are no great tigers in the deep mountains, even a monkey can become king.”
With the tremendous loss of human life that China had just survived, there were few true leaders left. Whether it was the deep mountains or the party leadership, there were few tigers left. It was the monkeys that he had to worry about, and one in particular.
The general continued his walk up to Coal Hill and the Ten Thousand Spring Pavilion or the Wanchun Pavilion as the guidebooks called it. It was a quiet walk and a thoughtful walk. He had to figure out what the monkey was doing and do everything he could to prevent him from succeeding.
Now was the time to call in some favors, he thought.
Listening in on Tobias
“Targets are returning,” Ruth reported to LL.
"Roger,” he whispered back.
LL and Michael turned on the monitoring equipment they had set up, so they could find out something about their new neighbors. It didn’t take long.
“Hey TJ, how about some of that Black Label that we got?” said Voice one.
“Sure, let me put down my stuff,” responded Voice two.
“Who wants to play some more poker?” asked Voice three.
“Not me, you jackass. I lost too much money to you last time. Maybe TJ and Tommy will fall for it again.”
“How about it guys?” asked Voice three.
“Sure,” said TJ.
“I’m going to clean you out this time,” responded Tommy.
“Before you guys get too comfortable, I want to go out again and check on a couple of other places,” Voice four.
“Damn it; we were up half the night, can’t we take it easy for a while. That jerk in New York, won’t know what we’re doing,” said Voice five.
“I don’t give a dam, you do what I tell you,” responded Voice four.
“Tobias, you’re the only one that gives a shit about Dans, we don’t. We just want to get something out of this,” said Voice five.
“Do what I tell you or I’ll blow your head off,” Tobias said. His comment was immediately followed by the sound of a fight. Then silence.
Earth II - Emergence Page 18
