Waking the Sleeping Giant: The First Terran Interstellar War 2 (Founding of the Federation Book 5)

by Chris Hechtl

  “I think the schedule just went up in smoke for a day or so,” Jack said with a shake of his head as he saw Paul and the rest of the council join in the celebrations out in the street. He felt arms encircle his neck and then a mouth kiss him on the cheek. He turned in surprise to see Menolly. She kissed him again. This time a feisty kiss on the lips as she leaned over him, then her hands tugged him imperiously upward and out of the chair to join in as well.

  (@)()(@)

  Six days later Admiral Kepler, her senior staff, and her senior officers were still processing the logs from Magellan and the planet. They were surprised by the report on what had happened to the enemy task force that had initially conquered the star system. They were intrigued by Jeeve's hacking of the alien dispatch ships as well. Boarding parties made up of officers and engineers were dispatched to inspect the craft. A cruiser was sent to board the derelict battleship to document it more thoroughly.

  According to Magellan's log, Captain Cooley had dispatched Zephyr back to Sol to keep them up-to-date. Both Magellan and North Wind had stripped out as much spares from Zephyr's cargo as they could before she'd left. Most of those parts were stored on the space station, but a few had been put into good use elsewhere.

  As the fleet crossed the solar system, they had seen the space station in orbit, but they had also picked up the IFF of another station near the belt. CIC reported the star system seething with orbital industry. Asteroids were being mined and or shipped to orbit of the planet. Tugs were everywhere, catching or pushing asteroids or goods or moving between the stations or the automated refinery.

  “I knew he'd have something up his sleeve, but … this …,” Jan shook her head. Willard whistled as another station crested the planet. They'd gotten sight of it early on, but only when they'd gotten close did they actually make it out enough to identify it as a small but growing shipyard. It was a truss system with only one massive dock and a series of rectangular bays on one side, but it was something. Jan was even more deeply impressed by the sight of the six massive rail gun platforms and the shoals of missile pods also distributed in orbit of the planet.

  “Well! I guess we've got a base to work from! He's been busy,” she said in admiration.

  “I think he just made our job a whole lot easier, ma'am,” Willard replied with a grin.

  (@)()(@)

  General Falcon debarked from the shuttle and wasn't surprised to see some security on hand at the new spaceport. He was, however, surprised to see the professionalism of the militia. Somehow that was fitting he realized as he recognized a familiar silver-furred Neochimp in digicam standing in the shade of a hangar.

  “General?” he asked as he walked up to the other man.

  “General,” General Elliot replied as they swapped salutes. “Damn good to see you, Bobby,” General Elliot said as the two men shook hands.

  “Ease up!” General Falcon gasped, then shook his hand in pain as the Neochimp let go. “Damn,” he muttered. The Neochimp chuffed in amusement.

  “So, still in uniform I see. Last time I recall you were a butter bar. My how the times have changed,” Elliot said in mock admiration as he studied the human.

  “And you, playing militia general I see,” General Falcon replied with a shake of his head. Only a few officers could make him feel like a kid again; the Neochimp was one of them.

  “So, is Roman still around or …?”

  “Roman is still in charge—sort of.”

  “Sort of?” The Neochimp wrinkled his nose. “What's that supposed to mean?”

  “It means he's gone from wearing a uniform to a suit. He's the secretary of defense. He handed off the Marines to Tao-ling a while back.”

  “I see,” Elliot replied as he motioned for the two of them to get moving and out of the eyes and way of the people around them. As they fell into step, he nodded. “Makes sense. He is getting on.”

  “To hell with that. He'll probably outlive all of us,” the human replied with a mock sniff. “Tao-ling is like a yo-yo, in and out of uniform.”

  “Hopefully, this time it sticks,” Elliot replied with a hint of longing in his voice.

  “Well, since you jumped ship, they couldn't very well stick you back in uniform. Not that I don't see you finding your way back into it anyway,” the human general drawled as a militia soldier opened a door for them.

  “I couldn't stomach the crap going on back in Sol. I don't miss that part at all, though I am curious about how things changed. And hell, it worked out here, didn't it?” Elliot asked, waving a hand to indicate their surroundings.

  “I suppose,” General Falcon drawled.

  “So, what's the plan?”

  “As in, what do you want me to do? Or who's in charge?” General Falcon asked with a half-smile.

  “Something like that. Wanna arm wrestle for it?” Elliot quipped.

  “Pass,” the human general replied with a laugh.

  “So …?”

  “Hmm, I seem to recall having your draft orders around here somewhere,” General Falcon said as he pretended to pat his pockets before he pulled out a flash chip out of his breast pocket. He brandished it. “Should I hand it over or flush it?” He turned to dangle it over an imaginary bowl.

  “Just give me the damn thing,” General Elliot muttered as he snatched the chip and linked into it with his implant jack. “Huh, so, Roman isn't leading the Marines anymore? You weren't foolin'. Wow.”

  “No. You've got a lot of catching up to do,” General Falcon said with a shake of his head.

  “I see that.”

  They made small talk as they made their way through the building to the conference room. When Elliot saw a familiar duo there outside the door, he stopped. “I've just been put back into uniform. First off, I want to know if you'll re-up as well, Sergeant,” he said, eyes intent on Sergeant Maltese.

  He heard a slight gasp from the Neocat on the other side of the door but didn't look.

  The Neogorilla shook his head in polite refusal. “We've got a family to protect here. I'm staying put. Sorry, General.”

  General Elliot studied him for a long moment. He knew Benny had another kid coming soon. “I see that,” he said after a long quiet moment. “But you'd do best to protect them with us.”

  “And get shot up in a ship? Pass,” Benny replied with a drawl. “Now Tom here …,” He waved a massive hand to the Neocat.

  “Oh, hell no!” the Neocat replied, practically spitting as his ears went back. The others laughed. “What? What's so damn funny?” the cat demanded.

  (@)()(@)

  “Governor Lagroose, a pleasure,” Vice Admiral Kepler said as she shook hands with the head of the reception committee. The entire council was there, shaking hands with Second Fleet's senior officers. “You are Menolly?” she asked, smiling as she shook hands with the governor's wife in turn.

  “Yes, my lovely wife, Menolly. I see your intelligence services are keeping you up-to-date,” Jack said as Menolly gave him a sidelong look then a tap on one foot with her own.

  “And I see your wife is keeping you in line,” Jan said with a smile and twinkle to Menolly.

  “Trying anyway,” Menolly replied with a roll of her eyes.

  “This way,” Jack said as they began to move. They had to pause a few times for photo ops. Even a sailor with a camera got into the act. Jack shook his head but made a show of kissing his wife on the cheek and making her blush.

  Once they were through the reception area, the aides led them to a large conference room. “We're still working on Onyx City. I'm used to being underground,” Jack said with a wave as they took their seats around the enlarged table.

  “I'd thought you would have been more comfortable on the space station,” Jan drawled as she took her seat.

  “In theory, but I don't like the idea of the enemy being able to sneak in here and pounce. Besides, I am the governor. I have to shake hands, kiss babies, all that sort of thing on a daily basis,” he said airily.

  “Ah,” Jan sa
id with a nod. She was still feeling out the legendary Jack Lagroose. From reading his dossier, she knew he was highly intelligent, motivated, and damn good at his job. “We could have used your grit in Sol. Getting the navy started was a near thing,” she said with a shake of her head.

  “And your daughter's antics aren't helpful either,” Admiral Oh grumbled.

  There was a slight sour expression on Jack's face before he set his shoulders. Menolly shot him a concerned look, but he waved it off. “I'm not surprised. There is an old saying about leading a horse to water? Captain Cooley told us about some of the problems with getting the Navy started.”

  “Yes. But we've gotten our feet under us and a ship deck as well,” Jan said, giving the rear admiral a warning look. “So,” she said turning to him, “I think we all know what is coming.”

  “You want to use Pyrax as a staging ground. I'm all for it as long as we go over the ground rules. I'm not sure about taxes and such; I think we'll have to work something out with the powers that be in the Confederation. And I am sticking to local autonomy on some things,” Jack stated.

  “That … might be difficult,” Willard said slowly. He glanced at the vice admiral and then back to the governor. “Unfortunately, the administration didn't send anyone from the State Department to handle those negotiations,” he said.

  “Pity,” Debby muttered mockingly.

  “Then we can let them slide for the moment,” Paul said. “Right?”

  “We'll keep a running tab for those discussions with the IRS when they come up,” the treasury secretary said pointedly.

  “But no problems supplying the fleet? Or acting as a base?” Jan pressed.

  “No,” Jack said as Sharif opened his mouth to answer. “As long as the supply requests are within reason. We'll have to get with your JAG office to sort out the legalities of personnel on leave and such as well,” Jack said, looking up to the ceiling. “I'm starting to realize there is a lot more to this than I'd wanted to face.”

  “Me too,” Jan replied thoughtfully after a moment. She shook herself. She knew most colonies would welcome them with open arms. Eden had, but they'd taken some time to think a few things through. She should have had her staff working on that as well she thought, kicking herself mentally for the oversight.

  “So, what's the plan? In general?” Jack asked, knitting his fingers together. “I know you don't like to share, but we're all on the same side. I'm assuming that you'll set up shop here and then scout and hit Janus and drive the enemy out. You've checked the other colonies?” he asked.

  Jan nodded. “Protodon and Antigua were hit hard. Both lost every major and minor population center. Antigua is doing better than Protodon however. They've got a bigger population base and more tech. They also have Doctor Grayskull in their corner.”

  “Him,” Jack replied with a snort. “I'm glad he's still around, but he is a character. Brilliant, but maddening,” he said with a shake of his head.

  “I read something like that in the reports from Captain Presley. He's a hermit. He's extending his aide to the refugees around him, but only grudgingly, and only when he's not caught up in a research project.”

  Jack laughed. “Yeah, that's the doc all right,” he said with a shake of his head. His chuckles ended slowly, and his eyes narrowed as they focused intently on the vice admiral. “And I noticed you dodged the question.”

  “Or tried to,” Debby murmured.

  Jan snorted. “Yes, I did or at least did so momentarily,” she said, sitting back. “Okay, cards on the table. I didn't come here with any agreements or directives from the government other than to relieve you and the other colonies.”

  Jack stiffened.

  She realized her error after a moment of silence. “I mean relieve as in rescue your star systems, not force you out of office,” she amended.

  “Ah,” Jack said with a slow nod.

  “Sorry, poor choice of words,” Jan admitted. “Beyond that, yes, we're planning to set up shop here, scout Janus, and then hit it if it I see an opening worth exploiting,” she explained.

  Jack nodded again.

  “You've been busy. Building a yard?” Captain Beaudry said as the room grew silent.

  “It's the beginning of one at any rate,” Sharif said. “We don't have a lot of orbital industry to support it at the moment. We can do basic repairs and some infrastructure. We're really lacking in support for fusion reactors, hyperdrive tech, force emitters, and the like,” he said with a shake of his head.

  “And of course military hardware. Though I did note the rail gun platforms in orbit. They aren't quite as big as the ones in Sol but not bad,” Captain Beaudry replied with a nod of approval.

  “Thanks. Basic superconductors were a pain in the ass to produce. Powering them is still an issue,” Sharif replied. The captain raised an eyebrow to the ceiling. “We've got to beam power up to them from the planet. We are still working up to building more fusion reactors. Unfortunately, our production is divided between orbit and the planet,” he said.

  “We've got to help our own people rebuild too,” Paul pointed out, clearly nettled by Sharif's statement.

  “Not knocking it, just wish we had more,” Sharif said hastily.

  “How are you even producing some of the tech?” Captain Beaudry asked. “I mean, I heard the reports from Antigua. They started out with most of what you've got but …”

  “Well, we had advanced warning in the form of Magellan,” Jack said with a nod to Captain Cooley. “Antigua didn't. We prepared the best we could, shifting as many resources underground as possible.”

  “Yeah, he says that like it was easy. It wasn't,” Paul grumbled. “Building the underground facilities one step ahead of people moving in. And a lot of people didn't want to move. They blew it off. Right up until the Taurens arrived and then they wanted everything underground right away.”

  “Sounds about right and a lot like what Sol went through. The whole Chicken Little thing backfiring,” Willard murmured.

  “So we heard. Shifting a lot of our resources underground, yes, helped a lot. But so did the nanotech Athena and I packed when we came here,” Jack admitted. There was a hushed silence in the group. “Yes, I've got nanotech. It should be obvious since I've had a regen. But I want to point out, this isn't Sol. That is one of the points we're going to have to deal with when we do talk to Sol,” he said pointedly, stabbing his index finger firmly into the table top. “Local autonomy. Local laws. One of which is no ban on nanotech here. We will use it within reason. That is for medicine and industrial purposes. That isn't negotiable, now or ever,” he ended firmly.

  There was another long drawn-out silence as the group digested that.

  Jan shook herself when Willard gave her a look. Finally, she cleared her throat. “Believe it or not, Governor,” all eyes fell on her. “I don't have a problem with it as long as the proper safety measures are seen to and enforced,” she said, meeting his eyes. She saw the subtle nod and was encouraged by it. She knew the man was no fool. “That being said, I think using any tool in our tool chest to get as many advantages in the hands of our sailors and Marines is vital if we're going to win this thing.”

  “Agreed,” Admiral Oh murmured.

  “Good,” Jack said after another moment of silence. “Glad that is settled for the moment. Now, what is your greatest need of the moment? Other than current intelligence,” he said with a look to Jan and then to her staff intelligence officer.

  “Jeeves has given Ensign Lex and our intel community the downloads. We'll arrange some interviews with your prisoners,” Commander Bently replied with a nod. He was a soft spoken and thoughtful Neogorilla.

  “Good.”

  “We'll download the parts we need,” Captain Beaudry stated. “I've got manufacturing blueprints. I suppose we should start with parts we've got in common. MilSpec though …,” he shook his head.

  “We make the best,” Sharif replied. Paul nodded as well.

  The captain smiled. “Go
od to know. I've got a lot of new designs to spring on you. I'm not sure about legal though. Some are patented,” he said with a frown to Jan.

  “We've got wavers since we're in the field,” Lieutenant Ing replied. The JAG officer was a chimera. She had green cat eyes, a broad flat nose, and gazelle horns that went out of her temples and then back along her skull. She also had a long neck and long ears.

  “I didn't see that. Okay,” the captain replied with a nod. “Good, then we're covered there,” he said.

  “I sent you a memo,” she said pointedly.

  “I forgot. I'd tell you to sue me but you're a lawyer. I don't want you to be tempted,” the captain replied.

  That sparked a brief chuckle in the group.

  “She'd do it too,” Willard teased as he picked up his cup of coffee. That earned a fresh titter as the lieutenant stuck her tongue out at him. He snorted.

  “We're going to need every advantage we can get. We've found that the Taurens are no slouches at innovation,” Jan said, cooling the room once more. She shook her head. “Based on what we've been able to determine, they innovate pretty dang well. And it looks like everything they did at B-92C was field changes too,” she said, glancing at her pet spook.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said with a nod. “Once you've seen something … we may not have much hardware, but we have seen it. If they can build it, we can damn well reverse engineer it. Even make it better in time. They apparently can do the same thing," the Neogorilla grumbled. “It's a race to see who can get the advantage while covering their own weaknesses.”

  “And it's one I aim to win,” Jan said firmly.

  “Here here,” Jack agreed with a nod. “So,” he said, turning to Paul and Sharif. “We'll start with fresh food and materials for your ships while the captain sorts out his shopping list.”

  “Can you build ships with the blueprints I've got with me?” the captain asked softly.

  Jack snorted. “I've got the blueprints for a lot of tech. Almost everything in the company's databases. But it's all thirty years out of date obviously. And it takes tools to make the tools to make the factories and so on and so forth. We're getting there.”