TSN: The Best Laid Plans (Terran Space Navy)

by Paul Phipps

  I’ve had fifty scalp hunters and other tactical combat vessels placed at each facility for personal protection. They all have Screens, point defense weapons and Gravity-phase drives if they need to move themselves quickly.”

  “Why so much defense, Gunnar?” asked Evana.

  “I was going to get to that but now is as good a time. Johnny Reb and I did some economic analysis of the effect of these facilities on the world oil markets. The good news is that they will replace the petroleum that the IUR was providing. The bad news is that our projections show that they have the capability of supplanting the entire Middle Easts’ petroleum output.

  That means that the various Arab and OPEC nations will find that the money spigots have been turned off. They will, no, they must find a way of stopping us from providing that oil. On the other hand the nations we will be supplying oil to will have just as big a reason to let us keep supplying them.

  So we need to make it evident from the very beginning that these facilities are protected by the TSN.”

  “Any idea when we might start to see that sort of resistance, Gunnar?” Admiral Webster asked.

  “It’s happening now actually. There was a non-binding resolution submitted today at the United Nations condemning our actions vis-à-vis the Iranian Unified Republic, in the details of the resolution our facilities were specifically mentioned. And the one in the Mediterranean especially ticks them off.”

  “What is the current utilization rate?” Lt. Commander Fuller asked.

  “Not too bad there, we started operations on Wednesday and right now we are filling on average ten tankers a day. There would be more, but a whole lot of tonnage is trapped inside the IUR. Once those vessels are replaced by newer vessels the amount of oil being purchased and delivered will jump commensurately.

  Now as far as garbage acceptance is concerned only the Atlantic facility off of the East Coast of the United States is accepting a decent amount. That’s mainly because New York City has been dumping its garbage for years at sea. So now they just bring it to us to process. That’s making the Enviros happy anyway.

  China and Japan are expected to be huge garbage contributors within a year. It’s going to take time for them to build transshipment facilities. We of course could supply garbage scows to pick it up from them.

  Johnny Reb’s analysis there says that we need to get them to do it themselves. It will provide needed and useful jobs for their internal economy.”

  “Good work there, Lt. Commander.” Admiral Webster complimented him. “Anything else?” and then looked around at the participants and saw no takers. “Very well then, Dismissed.”

  TSN Auxiliary Louis Pasteur, Niasar Iran Province IUR, 1500L, Friday November 20, 2026

  Captain Thomas is meeting with Colonel Hernwell and the team leaders of his investigation into the Niasar Contamination zone.

  “To answer your earlier question on the reason or reasons the Bio-War weapon spores spread so quickly throughout the area took some time to figure out. But now we know; it was the failure of the IUR people on site to take into account the purpose of what the bunker complex was built for versus what they used it for.

  The original purpose of the bunker was a Governmental continuity site. A place where high government officials would be taken to in the event of a NBC type of war. This means that the complex was designed to be over-pressurized with air thus assisting in keeping NBC agents and fallout out of the complex.

  A Bio-War laboratory is designed to use under-pressurization. Thus if there is an accidental release the ‘bug’ has a very low possibility of exiting the facility.

  In Niasar’s case the air filters were on the atmospheric intake vents with none on the outflow vents. When the vial was released the system literally blew the spores out of the complex and spread them across the countryside.” Colonel Hernwell told Evana.

  “I understand and that does make sense, thank you Colonel. Any suggestions on sterilizing this area? Or do we need to use a fusion device here?” She asked him.

  “No, we haven’t come up with a good sterilization method that won’t damage or kill the surrounding environment. And if that was the end result of the sterilization then why not use a warhead and do a complete job?” The Colonel said slowly.

  “I have an idea but it hasn’t ever been done before.” Major Yu Phong said tentatively, “In discussions with the Louis Pasteur’s Medical Research A.I. about that subject, she suggested that we use specifically tuned microwaves that would destroy the De1t8 spores function to replicate themselves.”

  Evana/ Personal Comm Mode: “Henri, what is the Medical Research AI’s Use-name?”

  Henri/ Personal Comm Mode: “She calls herself Alessandra after Alessandra Gillani a fairly famous Woman Medical Researcher.”

  Evana/ Personal Comm Mode: “Thank you Henri.”

  “Alessandra,” Called out Evana, “Please review the record of this meeting so far and then join us, and I have a few questions I think you can answer.”

  “Captain, I have reviewed the record, please ask your questions.” Alessandra answered in a low contralto voice at the same time a holo of a Raven haired Doctor appeared in the room.

  “Alessandra, have you done any further research into the possibility of tuned microwaves being able to destroy the De1t8 spore ability to function?”

  “Yes Captain, I have converted the spore into a mathematical equation and I am using modeling techniques to come up with a solution to this question. So far I have run two hundred thirty seven thousand and fourteen reiterations and have come up with several solutions that are close but none that work perfectly.”

  “What is your definition of ‘close’ Alessandra and your definition of ‘perfect’ for this problem.” Evana inquired.

  “‘Close’ for the purpose of this problem is a solution that kills or damages the spore without harm to other organisms and uses less than one-hundred watts of output power.

  ‘Perfect’ for the purposes of this problem is a solution that kills or damages the spore with less than one watt of energy and can be utilized on an infected organism such as a human being.”

  “Very interesting Alessandra, I like the parameters you have set up. Please continue your research into this matter and pass on your findings on ‘close’ solutions to our Fabricators. If a ‘perfect’ solution is arrived at please let me know immediately.

  Henri, please give the fabricators free rein in their implementation but with an emphasis on hand held units less than twenty pounds. As soon as there are prototypes available I want them taken to the Niasar Complex and tested on the surrounding environment.” Evana said as she issued her orders.

  Lt. Colonel Alvarez was sitting back in her chair at the conference table looking a bit bemused. Evana in turn noticed the look on her face and said, “Something you would like to ask?” in a gentle voice.

  She blushed slightly but then said, “Well… Yes, one of the interesting traits I have noticed about you is how quickly you come to a decision and issue your orders. It’s almost like you don’t take time to think them through completely.

  I’m not trying to be antagonistic at all, but is this trait just one of yours or will I find it as a similar trait in the other TSN officers?”

  Evana smiled and chuckled a bit and then said, “I understand where you are coming from and when I was a U.S. Naval officer I too was more slow in coming to decisions and thinking of all the ramifications to them.

  In the TSN we learn very quickly that we humans are NOT experts on anything. The AI’s know far more than we will ever personally know. What we contribute is intuition and random factors into the process of daily life and in this particular project, new direction’s for the AI’s to concentrate on.

  That makes it easier on me and my fellow officers. I issue my orders knowing that they will be carried out and I don’t worry about them not being completed. Then I go on to the next thing. It’s quite liberating knowing that I can trust in my subordinates without havin
g to look over their shoulders to make sure the job is being done to my satisfaction.”

  Lt. Colonel Alvarez nodded her head slowly and said in an agreeable tone of voice. “I think I understand, thank you for answering my question.”

  “Colonel Hernwell then said, “Well this has been fascinating to me, now is there anything else we should discuss?”

  Evana smiled and said, “I was talking to Major Padgett earlier and she asked when I could arrange transportation back to Fort Detrick, The burn patients have all been repaired and are quite far along in any Physical Therapy that was required, Lt. Johnson and Sergeant Grant are fully recovered and are assisting the others in the PT program.

  Major Evans is now out of danger for his aneurisms, we’ve done a complete circulatory cleansing and repair of his vascular system. He had a few areas of pre-cancerous cells and we’ve removed those and have determined that he has a chronic low B-Complex deficiency. That’s easily corrected with a corrective vitamin supplement therapy. He too is in the PT section and is doing well.

  Only Colonel James needs to stay for her therapy. Med-center informs me that she will be released for Physical Therapy next week, probably on Wednesday unless further complications arise.

  All in all, everyone except Colonel James that we brought aboard can go home now. The question is, do you want to give your personnel the weekend off to join them or do you want to press ahead in your investigations?”

  “I hadn’t thought about that.” The Colonel replied in surprise. He thought for a minute and then asked his officers, “Any progress on finding records or laboratory log books?”

  “No Sir, It’s like they just grabbed the vials and left their original Laboratory in a hurry.” Lt. Colonel Alvarez told him.

  “Hmmm, Yes, a weekend off sounds like a very good idea. What time do you think we will get there by?” The Colonel asked Evana.

  “How about 1200 EST? We won’t overwhelm everyone this time. I’ll transfer you in a smaller vessel.” Evana said with another smile.

  “Sounds good to me, Let me call the General to let him know we are coming then.” The Colonel told her.

  “Excellent then, if you need me I will be on the Bridge. We will arrive there in three hours.” Evana told the Army officers and then left the conference room.

  TSN Susannah, Lunar Orbit, 1000 GMT, Friday November 20, 2026.

  Commander Ansel Webster is currently involved in a design session with ‘Hans’ Susannah’s chief Fabricator and designer.

  “Yes Hans I realize that a Comm implant makes the helmet system work more efficiently. The people that are going to be receiving these will have no implants at all. That’s why it’s necessary for the helmets have the Comm system installed in them and only programmed to interface with the Game-Recruit-Net we are setting up.”

  “Commander we have been over this before, I’m just reiterating that it is the most efficient usage of resources.”

  “Fine, fine it’s the most efficient granted, but that is not what is needed here. These helmets are going to allow a potential recruit to experience what it is like to be in the TSN without actually being in the TSN.

  Most of the people using this are going to think of it as a game. And for them it will be one. We on the other hand are going to use the ‘game’ as a means of winnowing out the grain from the chaff so to say. We want the sort of people that are attracted to what the TSN is supposed to be.

  And we definitely don’t want the ones who look upon wielding power as being something to play with. Yes, in the game they can blow up planets, fight huge space battles etc. Those who must do so for real need to do it because it’s necessary not because it’s fun. We want empathy with their foes but not to the detriment of the human race.

  And this helmet requires that when the one who ‘owns’ that helmet uses it, the virtual reality he or she is on is perfect. No need of external controls everything that is required is done through neural interfaces.

  Also only the person that the helmet is assigned to is to be allowed to use it. If someone other than them tries then the helmet needs to destroy its circuitry. This is another technology we don’t want them to have yet. If it’s desired technology let the people of this Earth develop it.”

  “Very well Commander, I’ll get it designed and some prototypes built for you. They will be ready in three or four days. This requirement is a completely new one for us so it will take some time to come up with a design for you.”

  “Thank you Hans, that’s more than acceptable. Ariadne and I are going to be working on the software and interfaces.”

  * * *

  “Ariadne, we’ve been on this for eight hours now. I need a break.” Ansel told her.

  “I agree, I was going to suggest one in a little bit too. I think you need to get some sleep also.” Ariadne told him.

  “Ok, that works for me. Did you line up some interviews like I asked you?” Ansel said as he got out of his form-fit chair and started to do some stretches to ease the tension in his body.

  “Yes I did, FOX/CNN was interested in getting an update on our efforts in the IUR. And have agreed for us to meet them at their New York headquarters at 0900 EST tomorrow. You might want to catch up with Captain Thomas on her end of that effort. I gather she and the Louis Pasteur are gathering a lot of excitement from around the world.

  You have the interview with at GameTestors scheduled for Monday. They are a company devoted to testing and bug-finding of Computer games. They also have a reputation for not-talking about products they are testing even those products they tested and finally went to market. That alone makes them someone to respect.

  I have also been looking over e-mails going to our TSN.ORG site inquiring about enlistment and terms. The one I find most interesting though is that of a Warrant Officer Class One which is the equivalent of a Senior Chief Petty Officer, Sarah Cavendish formerly of the Royal Navy is interested in joining the Terran Space Navy. I have taken the liberty of scheduling her for 0730 GMT tomorrow morning at her home in Mousehole England.”

  “Really? What about her is so interesting?” Ansel asked her as he finished his stretches and headed for the Food Replicator for a late night snack before bed.

  “She is a thirty one year veteran of the Royal Navy; she’s been mostly on board their Type 42 and Type 45 frigates. She has also done two tours at their equivalent of boot camp as an instructor and lead instructor. And I liked her e-mail to the TSN.ORG site. I think she is quite witty.

  Oh yes, she is a paraplegic. She didn’t say so, but I did some basic research on her and found out that her vessel the Dauntless was doing a port visit at the Norfolk Naval base in Virginia and one of the those Flash-Mobs popped up and… Well she was lucky, One Hundred Twenty Five dead and Sixty One injured. She was one of the injured. Took two nine millimeter rounds to the back, one of which severed her spinal cord.”

  “I feel for her, I hope that she is qualified for the TSN. I would really like to see her walking again.” Ansel said with feeling. After a few minutes of silence he asked. “Did they ever catch the perpetrators of that flash mob?”

  “No, not at all. If you remember it was shortly after that, that the Federal Government suspended the second amendment and demanded that all personal firearms be turned in.” Ariadne said.

  “OOOHHHH Yeah! That was a real smart move wasn’t it. Over twenty million Gun Owners converged on Washington and that was the end of the Second Civil War. And just think, “he said in a wondering tone of voice, “it was both sides that marched on Washington.” Ansel finished with a tired grin.

  “Yes, they did and they found out on that march that they had more in common than they thought and that it was the Federal Government that was really the source of their problems.” Ariadne said primly.

  “Yes it was and is in many ways still.” Ansel said tiredly. “I’m off to bed, don’t wait up for me.”

  TSN Auxiliary Louis Pasteur, Fort Detrick Maryland, 1230 EST, Friday November 20, 2026


  Evana is on the main concourse of the Louis Pasteur. In front of her are two groups of the U.S. Army. One is the USAMRIID team under Colonel Hernwell and the other is a more loosely organized group of Doctors and Patients under the command of Major Padgett.