Talosian Chronicles 5: Raptor Squadron

by Ben Winston

  In order to get the treaty worked out, the Terran Council would have to allow visitation as well, but they had been allowing that already on a case by case basis. However, the United States wanted other concessions as well; they wanted detailed reports of the comings and goings of all ships in the system, a full and complete listing of all weapons systems available to the Terrans up to and including a listing of all warships and any other defensive systems currently deployed in the system. They also demanded a listing of all personnel including age, race and place of origin.

  The Terran Ambassador laughed at the list of demands when he read them and shook his head. He looked at the frowning American Ambassador. "You're out of your mind. Look, we are willing to allow that any guards accompanying visiting dignitaries will carry only non-lethal weaponry. We are also making the effort to ask for your permission for our personnel to visit your nation. We are making an effort to at least try to normalize relations with the countries of this planet. What you seem to be overlooking is that this is a formality we are extending to you as a matter of courtesy. At present, we are recruiting from every nation on this planet regardless of diplomatic relations. How do you suppose those people are retrieved?

  "Ambassador, the United States has no more right to our confidential information than any other nation has to yours or each other’s. You cannot use the excuse of our being a threat to your nation as it has already been proven that we have no interest in making war on this planet or any of the peoples here. We have enough problems with the fucking Empire!"

  "Yeah, so what will happen when the war with this Empire comes to this planet? We have a right to know what you are doing to defend us? We also have the right to have an active say in how that is accomplished. To that end we demand to know what weapons you have available to you and how they are deployed. You have taken it upon yourselves to force your guardianship on us and then refuse to give us a say in your actions. That is unacceptable; we have the right to know what you have done in our defense," the American Ambassador countered. "We have the right to know what the hell is going on out there!"

  The concern was a valid one, so the Ambassador spoke to the Terran Council and got permission for a new information sharing policy. The Terran Ambassador asked for and received permission to address the Council.

  "Ambassadors, I have been given permission to share news of Galactic events with you. In order to set the stage for that, I will explain our current position in that political environment.

  "We are allied with the Alliance of Races, which is the force defending this half of the galaxy against the forces of the Empire. This Alliance is comprised of every still free, space-faring race in the Galaxy. That would include the Talosian Alliance, whose representatives you have already met. As well as the other 'human' race called Benesians that are, spatially speaking, our closest neighbors." He briefly explained the structure of the Alliance of Races and how the Council worked.

  "I would also mention that the Alliance has never made so much as a mild insult to us. You are unaware of the political situation in this regard, but it is such that we have entered into a mutual defense and technology sharing treaty with this body. Simply put Ambassadors, we have nothing to fear from them at all; now or in the future.

  "You have all met and spoken to the Talosian delegates that visited here some time ago. Shortly after their visit, criminal elements in the government of that nation stages a coup to over-throw the government. An event that had never happened to them before. Part of their military doctrine, and because of the power of their warships, they had a self-destruct protocol programmed into the ships to prevent them from ever being used in this manner. The result was the almost complete destruction of their entire defensive fleets.

  At present, we are building a replacement fleet for that nation using the latest technology at our disposal. We are also refitting or building new ships for the other races of the Alliance of Races. When complete, the facilities here will be the largest, most complete ship building complex in the Galaxy. Because of that, we are also one of the most secret and closest guarded secrets the Alliance of Races have. We are aware that by assuming this role in the Alliance, we have placed a very large target on ourselves." He paused to gather his thoughts. "By doing so, we have become very important to the Alliance. While we are, by far, the smallest of the member races, we are currently one of the most important, trusted, and respected members.

  "Recently, Admiral Williams led an Alliance force in the liberation of a captured Talosian World. The event, while highly important as well as successful, was a diversion. The real target was a facility deep in Imperial space that they had been using for terror attacks on non-military Alliance worlds." He went on to explain the non-classified parts of the missions. He finished with one last comment. "Ambassadors, there are two things you need to understand about these events; While both missions were authorized by the Alliance of Races, the liberation of the planet Hyperion was the first time in the history of this war that the Alliance has been able to retake a world from the Empire, and that the mission in Imperial space was accomplished by our Terran forces alone."

  "Ambassador, might we at least have some of our own military men with your forces as observers?" the Israeli Ambassador asked.

  The Terran Ambassador smiled. "How many more do you want?"

  "Excuse me? I was unaware we had any people with your forces," the woman replied.

  "Rear Admiral Joshua Hawkins who is now serving as a Commodore in charge of the Pleiades Stations in the Centauri System. Major General Vladimir Zolninisk who is now serving as the overall commander of Marine training on the planet Atlas in the Centauri System. Rav seren Aviel Ancel formerly of the Israeli Mussad who is now second in command of the Terran Intelligence division, should I go on?" the Ambassador replied. "Ambassadors, there are people who you know and trust already working with us. I will grant you that none of them will be willing to pass on classified information to you, but have you even bothered to call and ask them their opinions?"

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Hover Tank training area

  Rostov United Arms Military Base (RUAM)

  Northern Continent

  Atlas, Centauri system

  Sol Sector

  "It's good to see you all again, Doctors! How have you been?" Alan said, grinning at his friends.

  Doctor Schmidt smiled back at him. "We have been doing much better. I would thank you for the suggestions you made to correct the flaws in the system. Honestly, we were at a loss for how to proceed."

  Tom rolled his eyes. "Actually, I was thinking adding a skip plate of sorts to cover the rear, but that would have limited the unit's ability to move like a human. Your suggestion of using a hard force shield was perfect."

  Alan just shook his head. "You guys would have gotten there without me, I just happen to think of it first. I saw in the project notes that the balance, stability, and endurance issues have also been corrected. Does that mean you are ready to see if these are ready?"

  "Ja," Doctor Schmidt nodded vigorously. "We believe we have covered our bases this time. However, we insist that the units be retested fully before sending them back to the production facility."

  Alan nodded and looked around. "Tom, forgive me, but I don't see Olivia? Is everything alright?"

  Tom grinned. "She's getting checked out by the medical center. They wanted to make sure she and the baby made the trip okay."

  "Baby! Congratulations! I had no idea! When is she due?" Alan asked.

  "In a few days. She did tell me to say hello for her, and to let you know she will be very pissed off if you wreck her drone again!" Tom replied, still grinning.

  "Nien! If it can be broken, you must try to do so!" Doctor Schmidt said. "We will know what needs to be fixed!"

  Alan just shook his head and chuckled. "Well, I brought some top of the line help this time. Doctors, ladies, and Tom…" he winked at the man as Tom rolled his eyes. "These gentlemen are members of the Terran Mar
ines that have been assigned to me for another project. They have all been well trained and have extensive combat experience. They are the same folks that will be issued these drones when they're ready. I've briefed them in the same manner they would be briefed by a training officer. That is to say, while they are here to assist us, they have no knowledge of any of your testing notes or design concepts. All they have been given are the operational parameters of the units and instruction on how to operate them. I set it up this way on purpose; I want them to come into this project without any preconceived ideas about what to expect. I felt that would give us the best data we can get on the units."

  Doctor Schmidt looked a little skeptical, but Doctor Hiram nodded his understanding. "Yes, that is exactly what we need. Very well done, Major: thank you."

  Alan chuckled. "They promoted me, Doctor. I'm a colonel now, in command of the Raptor Poseidon."

  "You're a Raptor Commander? Wow, we had no idea!" one of the women said. "We sure got lucky getting you as our test pilot!"

  Alan grinned at the woman. "We're not that special! I hate to rush this, but we do have a limited amount of time we can be away from our other projects. Since it's a bit later in the day, I'd like to get my team fitted for the suits so we can begin tomorrow, if that's alright, Doctor's?"

  Doctor Hiram nodded. "Of course! Colonel, we still have your original suit and have been making sure it stayed current with upgrades and such, so you shouldn't need to be refitted. Why don't you and Doctor Schmidt go over the changes since you were last with us, while I take you team to be fitted?"

  "That would be great Doctor," Alan replied. "Herr Doktor, I am at your disposal."

  As Doctor Hiram lead the Marines into another room, Doctor Schmidt led Alan over to a holographic terminal. "There has not been any changes to the base machine, Heir Colonel. However, we have changed a few things." As the doctor began going over the changes and modifications to the drones, Alan got the impression that no one had created a schedule for the tests to be performed.

  "Herr Doktor, has anyone made up a schedule for these tests? I would like to go over it as well and make sure we cover everything you need tested," Alan asked.

  The old man shook his head. "I have not seen one, Colonel. A lot of this is because we insisted on further testing before allowing the unit back into production. Because of that, I do not believe we are getting the support the project deserves."

  "This project has great potential, Doctor. It increases combat effectiveness while reducing the risk to our soldiers. It deserves to have much more support, but there are a lot of other projects in the works as well." He winked at the older gentleman and activated his comm device. "Andreya, can I borrow you for a few moments?"

  "Certainly Colonel, what do you need?" Andreya replied. Alan had activated his virtual audio system so the doctor could hear her as well.

  "Well, the FROG project doesn't seem to be getting the support it should from the base. For example, no one has created a schedule for the tests we're going to be running. Would you be willing to work with the design team and work out a schedule for us so we can make sure everything gets checked out?" Alan asked.

  "I would be honored, Colonel!" Andreya replied. "I will also check into why this project has been neglected. That doesn't sound like my brother at all; usually, Mathias is very conscientious when it comes to assisting the designers and researchers."

  Schmidt looked confused. "Herr Schmidt, allow me to introduce Officer Andreya of the Raptor Poseidon. Among other things, she is sister to the Main AI at Phoenix base, Mathias. Andreya, with me is the lead scientist on this project, Doctor Wilhelm Schmidt."

  "Your Officer Andreya is an AI?" Heir Schmidt asked.

  Alan nodded. "Although she is considered a tactical asset, she is also a non-combatant. Honestly, I don't think I could get out of bed in the morning without her help!"

  "Well, I do have to wake you up in the morning!" Andreya replied teasingly. "Herr Doktor, may I have access to your project data? With access to your notes and designs, I can create a test regimen that will help you finalize your work. Of course, standard AI security protocols will apply."

  "Ja! Of course! The assistance of an AI would be invaluable to us! Thank you very much, Officer Andreya!" the old man replied and quickly input his authorization codes.

  Andreya was silent a moment. "Okay, now this is odd. The entire project container has a seal on it. If I didn't know it was there, I wouldn't even be able to locate it. There is also a tag that would prohibit me from mentioning it to anyone if I were not a Raptor AI. Alan, this project has been sabotaged."

  "What?" Alan asked, surprised. "Can you tell by whom?"

  "No, but now I know why Mathias wasn’t helping them; he wouldn't even be able to acknowledge the project existed," Andreya replied. "Give me a few minutes while I figure out how to break this seal." She paused a few minutes. "Alan, I recommend increasing security for the department and personnel until we can figure all this out. Whoever has done this has accessed it recently."

  "How recently?" Alan asked.

  "Four hours ago the container was accessed from within RUAM, but not from that area. Whoever it is, followed them there," Andreya said.

  "Get me a secure line to General Anders right away please," Alan asked.

  "Right away, Sir." Andreya replied.

  "What's going on Alan? I thought you were on Atlas helping the FROG developers?" Ty replied.

  "I am, General. We have a problem here. The project has never really gotten the support it should have from Phoenix base, so I asked Andreya to take a look to help us work out a testing plan. Doctor Schmidt gave her access to the project data but she found a can of worms," Alan said and told him what Andreya had found. While they were talking, Andreya added more comments as she found things she felt she needed to report.

  "Sirs, the production version of the drone was altered prior to manufacture. A much softer alloy was substituted for key frame components in the assembly program. I am finding other items that appear to have been altered as well; erroneous programming that would cause random weapon failures, some of them could be catastrophic. There is a section in the feedback synthesizer that could seriously hurt or even kill an operator. Sirs, none of this is part of the original programming, that is clear. As designed, this unit should have been just fine," the AI reported.

  "What is your assessment of the threat to the designers?" Ty asked.

  "I'm actually very surprised some of them have not been harmed already. They longer they are allowed to remain as a functional part of this team, the greater they risk the alterations they made could be discovered," Andreya replied.

  "Sir, one of the team members, and Doctor Schmidt's daughter is currently at the medical section; she is in the late stages of pregnancy and was being checked out before returning to the lab. She's out there alone," Alan said anxiously.

  "Andreya, contact the medical unit and have them detain the woman until Alan can arrive to escort her. Then contact base security and have them secure the entire testing facility. Alan, secure the lab and the rest of the team before you go get the young woman. I'll get someone out there as soon as I can to take over security. The Raptor AI can assist the designers and provide data security at the same time. Until then, Andreya will have to do it. Armor up brother, you're back on the clock for now." Ty replied. "I'll call the Admiral."

  "We'll need more time here, Ty," Alan replied.

  "Don't sweat it; your team can work on the other project just as well from there as they can on Earth. Your other mission is far enough along that we can make the designer's safety a priority for you. With you helping them, and another team guarding them, we should be able to track down the bad guys pretty quickly," Ty finished.

  "Alright, I'll get right on it. I'm worried about Olivia," Alan replied.

  "Well, go get her then!" Ty replied. "Hades Base out."

  "Sir, I was able to contact the medical center and they will ask Doctor Schmidt-Wilcox to remain
there until you arrive to pick her up. According to the nurse I spoke to, she was just about to leave," Andreya said.

  "Thanks Andreya. Herr Doktor, please ask your team to assemble here in the lab immediately. I'll have my people get armed so you are protected until we figure out what's going on," Alan said.

  "I do not understand this Alan. How could someone do this?" Schmidt asked. "It makes no sense!"

  "I agree, but the fact is you are in danger. We need to make sure you are all safe, then we can figure out how to proceed. Now, please assemble your team," Alan replied, sadly.

  While Alan had been talking to Ty, Andreya moved the Raptor from the base landing area to a place closer to the lab so the rest of the team, as well as the Marines that had accompanied them, could have access to their equipment. While Alan put on his armor, Andreya got one of the land rails ready. The team at the lab had been given a car for their use while on the base, and Alan borrowed it as well. It wouldn't be good to transport a pregnant Olivia in a land rail.

  Alan drove the land rail while Andreya drove the hover car. The clinic Olivia was at was only eight blocks away or they would have just taken the Raptor to get her. She had been planning to use the base public transportation system to get back to the lab, the same way she got to the clinic in the first place. What Alan was having difficulty with was why the saboteurs had not acted sooner? Why had they waited? There was still no guarantee that they would attack the members of the team at all, but that was a chance Alan was not willing to take. The whole thing just smelled fishy as hell.

  "Andreya, have you discovered when the bad guys first accessed the project files?" Alan asked over the comms while they were driving. He had one of the Marines as a gunner while the rest of the team deployed around the lab to make sure it was secure.