by T S Paul
Ignoring the question the Alpha looked at the Zeta second-in-command. “Are you still getting the answers you need?”
“Some. Younger ones, such as this piece-of-meat, know very little. This one was an undersecretary to the planetary Governor. He was in charge of earthquake and disaster relief. Under his supervision supplies and other material was secreted in hidden bunkers around the planet. He has been telling me all about it.” The Zeta touched the man with the electrode in his hand. The body on the table barely moved until he applied the second electrode. The subjects body arched off the table a silent scream on his face.
“As you can see this is not our first procedure. This one has screamed his throat raw. I don’t believe he has anything left to tell us.”
The Alpha looked down into the young human’s remaining eye. Even though it was rotating wildly in its socket, he could see a spark of defiance in it. “Not to tell you your job, but this one is keeping something back.”
“Is he now? Interesting. Let us try something new.” The Zeta looked to the shelving unit behind him. It was filled with all manner of torture and scientific device. Staring at the various instruments he pulled on a pair of shiny gloves and selected a large clear container. A bright red liquid filled the bottle. He uncapped the bottle and carefully poured the foul smelling potion into a beaker. He carried the beaker over to his subject on the table.
“This my friend is something very special I brought from Earth. It is an acid we found out near Venus. It will eat through any material except silicon. These gloves I wear are impervious to it. However your skin and bones are not. I will put just a drop on your arm as a demonstration.” The Zeta pulled the arm up and locked it in place so the subject could watch. One drop is all that he put on the bare skin of the young man.
Alpha 222 watched in fascination as the acid bubbling and boiling ate a small hole through the subject's arm. As he watched steam began to rise from the hole. Zeta 100 placed a clear glass plate underneath the arm of the subject. The acid burned its way completely through and went splat on the plate. There was no blood to speak of.
At his puzzled look the Zeta replied. “It cauterizes as it goes. It will burn through any part of the body. A very effective tool. Now how about here for the next spot?” He traced his fingers down the subjects chest stopping at his groin area. “Maybe we will get a look at your soul.”
“Is there an antidote to the acid?”
The Zeta looked up at the Alpha. “Of course. We always stock the antidote in case of accidents. It is a form of neutralizer.”
Looking down at the now squirming subject the Zeta smiled. “And here I thought we were done. Now how about where the hidden bases are located?” Very carefully the Zeta began placing dots of acid on the subject's skin in a line downward toward his pubis. The holes began to smoke and sizzle as they burned.
The two clones watched dispassionately as the acid burned through the subject. The man on the table began to mutter and attempted to speak. The Zeta leaned in close as the man whispered the hidden locations of the military assets. “See how easy that was? You shouldn’t have hidden this from me.” The man whispered more loudly this time.
“Neutralizer…”
“What? Ah yes you need to be neutralized don’t you?” He called for the guards.
The guards unlocked the now writhing man. “Neutralizer… you said… Neutralizer.”
The Zeta looked at his former subject. “Did you think it was for you? Oh, no. Guards take him to be neutralized please.”
The guards dragged the helpless man out of the chamber on his way to the termination tent. “Stupid humans. They always think it's about them. The locations he gave will be checked out. I will keep you informed.”
“Good work. Stay on top of it please.” The Alpha looked up as yet another subject was dragged into the room and strapped to the table. It was a woman this time. For some it was going to be a long night.
Chapter 9
We met the next day in the Martian Central Command Center. Our idea was to create a grand fleet. It sounded like something out of a vid or fantasy novel. Each member government would contribute as many ships as they could afford and some they couldn’t. This attack was vital to the survival of humanity as a whole. Not just some colony world at the end of space. Governments would only be told the bare minimum to avoid conflict and espionage. The former Hong Kong Secretary of the Interior was used as an example. Loose lips sank ships.
“How many ships can Mars contribute to the effort?” We were meeting in one of the larger conference rooms. Large vid screens covered the walls. Each planet had its own screen. Seeing the number and type of ships each planet had in use was sobering. We were outnumbered by a lot!
“If we strip the reserve fleet of all usable ships, we should be able to field seventy ships. I would send more but the ones left in reserve just don’t have the legs to get into Earth space and be able to get out in one piece. They are more of a liability than an asset. We are sending all the fighters we have. Three of our newest strike fighters are out there and the rest are Fuglies or obsolete models. Six squadrons is all we have on the planet.”
“I contacted Minerva, and she's sending the new fleet. Both carriers are older and can only hold two short squadrons only. The Black Sheep and the Silver Valkyries are getting packed into one of our new Q ships and sent along too. This will be a trial run for them.”
“Athena, have you thanked Wilson for me yet? Without his help this attack wouldn’t happen.”
“He knows Grandmother. I think he plans to hold it over our heads for a long while.”
“That sounds like something he would do. Have you figured out how he is able to communicate that way?”
I looked at my grandmother and rolled my eyes. “No. He refuses to discuss it with me. It’s funny. I built the prototype RAM robots and even they can do it. It has to be a software thing but damned if I can find it. There have already been several abductions of RAM robots by some to the corporate groups.”
“I hadn’t heard that. Did they find the answer?”
“Not a bit. The Robots either exploded, or they called in police and military to capture the ‘pirates.’ No one has tried to capture one of the CATTs yet. It would be a really stupid move because they can defend themselves.”
“Didn’t I hear about one of the robots in the vid news?”
I started laughing. “Yeah, Lester. That story is pretty funny. So a couple of pirates see a robot for sale at a market in New Texas space. They negotiate and buy it. When told about the contract obligation they laugh and throw it away. They abused the RAM when he tried to explain his rights so the first time they make port in League space they are arrested for kidnapping. It has become a parable for don’t screw with the robots.”
“What happened to the robot? He took them to court and won their ship! He works as a school teacher believe it or not. I built them but they are changing society.”
“Dear, you are making your mark you know that right?” I nodded my head.
“Grandmother, I all wanted was to be an Engineer. Nothing else.”
“I know that Athena. Your mother would have been very proud of you.” Wilson took that moment to put us back on task.
“Athena, the New Texas Militia says they can provide their battleship and a heavy cruiser. They have two squadrons of mixed fighters as well. They think they can fit them either on the cruiser or the BS.”
“Have them contact Chief Engineer Kościuszk at the Fooey shipyard. He would be able to tell them how to make it fit. I might be able to, but he has more experience with the older models than I do. If anyone can squeeze a square peg into a round hole, it’s Tadeusz.”
I looked up at the screens. “What about the Rus system? They joined the League recently.”
“Seriously? Athena, the last report I had from our agents in that system stated all they had patrolling was a couple of converted mine-layers and some freighters.”
“I have it on go
od authority they have at least one fighter squadron based out of those freighters. We should include them. It’s for humanities sake, Grandmother. Everyone who can help should be allowed to.”
She looked at me then turned toward Dar. Dar shrugged and went back to organizing the incoming ships. “Fine. You’re right. Can we get word to them in time?”
“Wilson says that one of Hong Kong’s merchants is stuck in the Rus waiting for a ship part that his onboard RAM unit can’t fabricate.” I smiled at her.
My grandmother just shook her head. “He’s sharp that AI of your’s. Has he been able to find Kane’s fleet?”
I glanced at one of the screens. It held a tally of what we knew of Kane’s remaining fleet. “He thinks he knows where she went, but it’s too far away for us to do anything. He might be able to reach her, but she might not be there after all.”
She looked at the galactic map. “How far out is she?”
“He said that based on the course she took there is only one colony world that we are aware of in that direction, Greenlandia.”
“Crap! That’s almost sixteen long jumps away, and that's with a new ship. With what she had, impossible? What is out there for her to find?”
“They were one of the last colonies to join the Old Empire before the Cabal took over. Fleet used to have a base out there. Minerva has a tech on the station who is from Greenlandia. She’s one of the twins. I know I told you That story? According to her, the resupply base is still there. She said that they upgraded the defenses and built up some kind of fleet too after they joined. She was a little vague about it. Her family is planetary Militia, and she didn’t want them mad at her. Regardless, it’s a good place for the Admiral. No way they would support either the Cabal or Earth. Unfortunately they are way, way off the beaten path. It may be some months before they find out about the Earthies.”
“We will cross them off the list then. You know when she finds out about this she will kick herself for missing it?”
“I’ve served with her remember? So who is left?”
Amalie studied the vid screens. “The only other system we know has a non-aligned fleet is Celtica.”
I winced at that word. “Ouch. Grandmother they do not like me at all there. Is Kate O'Malley still in charge out there?”
“Yes, she is. She challenged Taoiseach McCarthy to a duel and took control of the planet a few years ago. She is as much a statesman as a pirate these days. She might not shoot you on sight. It’s worth talking to her. At last estimate they had a good sized fleet along with several fighter wings. You might stress to her that once Earth wipes us out she is next. It’s in her best interest to help us now rather than later.”
“Me? Why do I have to go?”
“You are the Ambassador aren’t you? Besides who would we send in place of you? That idiot from New Texas?”
“By-the-Gods no. Fine. But I want to take some of our more advanced ships with me.”
“Of course. You are my heir. Whether you like it or not, it is what you are. I’m sending fourth fleet with you.”
“Fourth? Grandmother… that’s too much! We need them here.”
“Think of it as a training mission. We have time. Not much, but enough for you to get there and back. Stress to her that she is needed. When this is all over we will open up official relations with Celtica. Promise her this.”
“Grandmother! They’re Pirates! The Senate will never go for it!”
“Leave them to me. Make the promise in my name. Now. I have already sent word, and the fleet is waiting for you.”
“Waiting… Damn it you sandbagged me! That’s dirty politics Grandmother!”
“Just a lesson for you dear heart. Take Dar with you. Your security team is all packed and ready to go. Bellona is sending along a team of her own so make room for them.” Amalie stepped over to me and gave me a huge hug. “Make us all proud Athena.” She let go of me and strode from the room.
I looked over at Dar. “Did you know about this?”
She smiled at me. “If I say yes, are you going to spank me?”
I smiled back at her. My big strong Marine Captain had no shame whatsoever. I walked over to her and gave her a big hug. She leaned down to kiss me. I whispered to her. “Still want me to spank you?” I pulled away and hurried through the doors.
Dar stood stock still for just a moment staring after me. She shook her head and pursued me.
~~~~
The Martian Fourth Fleet was new. It was not part of the reserve fleet. They were the newest of the new in Martian shipbuilding technology. The Engineer in me could not help but rub my hands in anticipation. Each fleet in the Martian Navy took the names of one of the countries of Old Earth that settled it. It was in order of settlement. In order it was the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, and finally Norway. Each successive wave of settlers brought their culture and beliefs with them. Mars evolved into a very fascinating planet because of them. Fifth Fleet was still under construction, but would carry names based in Norse or Old Norse history or mythology. The same could be said for the other four fleets. I had Wilson brief me on Australia and some of its history. I wanted to respect the fleet not disregard it.
My security team almost didn’t fit inside the shuttle. I laughed as the officers and crew that were departing stared at the circus that was my entourage. To me it sounded like a the plot of a vid show or something, ‘How To Squeeze Into A Shuttle’. Fortunately, we departed without incident.
“Do you know where we are going Athena?” Dar was looking out the one viewport in the bulkhead.
“Grandmother said that Fourth Fleet has two Carriers. The Melbourne and the Sydney. Wilson told me they were named after cities in Australia. They are both ironically Colossus class. They participated in the fight against the Earth ship of the same name. They are credited with destroying the majority of the stray fighters in that conflict. We are going to the Sydney. It will be operating as the flagship of our little adventure. We have an escort of two heavy cruisers, a battleship, ten destroyers, and four squadrons of the new Martian advanced space fighter the Space Fury.”
“Who came up with that name? It sounds like it’s from a comic book.”
“Believe it or not school children. There was a contest. Wilson said it came from a historical record of one of the students. His great-great-great-great grandfather flew Sea Furies in a war against someone called the Reds.”
“Reds? Who or what are Reds? Aliens?” I started laughing at the look on Sergeant Carter’s face. I pointed at him.
“Do you believe in aliens Sergeant?” He looked down at the deck and murmured something too low to hear.
“What was that Carter?” Dar looked expectantly at him.
“Sorry, Ma’am. What I said was aliens don’t exist.”
I arched an eyebrow at the red-faced man. “Of course they don’t Sergeant. I believe you are an expert are you not?”
His head jerked up in surprise. His eyes grew wide at my smile. “I like to know who is guarding me Vince. It’s not in your records, but I know about the little club you run.”
“Ma’am, I don’t know what you think…”
“Forget I mentioned it.”
I smiled and nudged Dar. She and I had been very surprised when Wilson’s minions dug up the information that the Sergeant was the leader and chief officer of Aliens Now, a website devoted to finding and communicating with little green men. Several of the other guards had surprises in their backgrounds too but Vince’s was the most otherworldly. I had looked at some of his evidence and a few things had some merit but none of the actual science checked out.
The fleet was parked in Phobos orbit near the fleet refueling depot. Our shuttle obtained clearance and approached the large carrier. As I watched two Martian Space fighters peeled off and returned to Mars. We had an escort, and I hadn’t even noticed.
One of the pilots stuck his head inside the cargo area. “Ambassador Lee? The Captain wants me to pass along the word t
hat you will be piped over the side on the Sydney.”
I groaned. “Thank you Lieutenant…?”
“Malcomes, Ma’am.”
“Thank you for the heads up Lieutenant Malcomes. Inform the Captain that I will be ready.”
Turning toward my entourage I shook my head. “My headache just became yours. We have until we dock to get shipshape to be piped aboard. Everyone get cleaned up and prepared. I would suggest instead of blues you go full-on combat prep. Let's give them a show shall we?”
Dar chuckled as she, like the her troops, began digging into her travel cases and equipment bags. Being crammed like we were in a parts case, we somehow still managed to change without knocking each other out. Close quarters indeed.
