by S A Asthana
These final wars between the three colonies—World War Four or whatever they’d be remembered as, would have the domino of Bastien Lyons. The flutter of a butterfly’s wings setting off a tornado thousands of miles away. A righteous act of defiance against the euthanasia of a thousand innocents setting off wars killing millions of innocents, collapsing human civilization altogether.
Hopelessness swept over him. But it was short-lived. There was no pit bull over that fence. The dog was Bastien’s problem, not Viktor’s. Hell, none of this was Viktor’s problem. Those were Bastien’s paranoid thoughts, a man who’d experienced trauma all his life. Viktor was going to be different—colder, detached. And certainly not an extension of Father Paul.
I could finally just blend in. Disappear. Be a long forgotten memory. Learn Japanese. Get a job. Perhaps construction? Something, anything regular. Viktor, the crane operator. Or Viktor the shopkeeper. Just plain old Viktor, an immigrant looking for a fresh start. Viktor who still needs a last name. Maybe Pikes? Or Giles? He always liked Pikes for some reason.
A regular guy with a regular life. Someone who woke in the morning like everyone else and went about his daily routine. Not someone who’d been a struggling orphan once. Nor someone who’d been a Martian soldier ending up a wanted man. Or someone who’d triggered New Paris’ destruction.
Instead of paranoid what-ifs, his focus shifted to finding a bed somewhere in Nippon One. A full night’s sleep was long overdue. Some rest and relaxation would do the mind a whole lot of good.
His breathing became easier. He blinked away sweat. Even monsters deserved a good night’s rest.
“Conversation request.” A green light flashed on the console, signaling an incoming communication. “Message from Port Sydney.”
He sat upright, every muscle taut.
“Sender, Lieutenant General Alice Smith.”
Bastien blinked in disbelief. No rest for the wicked.
“Accept?” the computer asked, “… or decline?”
END OF BOOK ONE
APPENDIX I: THE TRILATERAL TREATY
TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN NIPPON ONE, PORT SYDNEY, AND NEW PARIS
Archived in Nippon One’s Governmental Library
Treaty and protocol signed at Port Sydney, conference room 101, floor 1 on June 28, 2112, by representatives of all three colonies.
Entered into force January 10, 2113, as between contracting parties.
The contracting parties represented by:
Port Sydney – The honorable Alan Stephenson, Prime Minister
Nippon One – The honorable Haruto Honda, Emperor
New Paris – The honorable Louis Dubois, King
THE COVENANT OF THE THREE COLONIES
The contracting parties, in order to promote intercolonial cooperation and to achieve Solar System-wide peace and security, align
by acceptance of obligations not to resort to war,
by the prescription of open, just and honorable relations between the colonies,
by the firm establishment of the understandings of Solar System laws laid out in this treaty, and
by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations (Articles 1 – 13) in the dealing of organized peoples with one another.
ARTICLE 1: FAIR AND JUST REPRESENTATION
Each colony must provide a treaty representative, one individual or a body of individuals, on a yearly basis. This is to ensure equal representation in matters governing intercolonial agreements and contracts, and other such matters involving the rights of each colony.
ARTICLE 2: THE RIGHT TO DEFEND
Each colony has the right to defend itself against another by any means necessary if provoked or attacked. Attacks/provocation can include but are not limited to, destruction of colony property and or citizenry, blockades of shipments, and cyber breaches. A response can include, but only as an absolute last resort, a similar rebuttal to the attack or provocation.
ARTICLE 3: GOVERNANCE OF SPACE
Each colony is to be involved in decision-making about space matters immediately surrounding the orbital paths of Earth, Mars, and the Earth’s moon. This includes, but is not limited to, deployment of satellites and/or space stations, directing space traffic, and military and/or civilian security of said space traffic. Lack of inclusion of a colony will make any decision null and void, and any subsequent output non-sustainable.
ARTICLE 4: FAIR AND BALANCED TRADE
Each colony is entitled to fair and balanced trade with its neighbors. This includes the trade of goods and services and open borders. Unjust price hikes for goods and services owned by one colony and deemed necessary for survival by another colony can be considered an act of aggression. The closing of borders to other colonies can be considered a deterrent to peaceful relations.
ARTICLE 5: SOVEREIGNTY OF COLONIES
Each colony has complete control over the political, mercantile, and military processes within its border. Interjection by a foreign colony is deemed an act of aggression, which in turn can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 6: RIGHT TO WATER
Each colony is to have access to Earth’s remaining bodies of water for usage of consumption, and or other industrial processes if required for free. Colonial monopolization on water cannot be put into motion. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 7: RIGHT TO SUN
Each colony is to have access to the Solar System’s sun. No colony shall deploy any technology that impedes another colony’s ability to benefit from the sun or its heat. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 8: PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
All colonies are prohibited from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, or stockpiling nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Colonies are barred from transferring or receiving nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, control over such weapons, or any assistance with activities prohibited under the Treaty. Colonies are also prohibited from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices. Colonies cannot allow the stationing, installation, or deployment of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices in their territory. Breach of this article can trigger Article 2.
ARTICLE 9: SPACE EXPLORATION
All space exploration will be done with good intentions and is equally open to all colonies that comply with Trilateral Treaty. No one colony may claim ownership of outer space or any celestial body.
ARTICLE 10: BORDERS
No colony can expand its borders, for purposes of living, research and/or trash discarding without approval from other colonies.
ARTICLE 11: THE EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS
Each colony is obligated to extradite an individual accused of committing a crime in another colony or had been convicted of a crime in that other jurisdiction, and any harboring of such individual(s) is an act of defiance towards peace amongst the colonies. Penalties of breach can include sanctions on goods and services until criminal is returned.
ARTICLE 12: SPACE LAW
Crime, such as theft and/or murder, amongst others, outside of colonial borders, on land, and or in space, will be arbitrated using laws of source colony or colonies from wherein involved parties hail. No colony has jurisdiction outside of its borders.
ARTICLE 13: AMENDMENT OF TRILATERAL TREATY
Any amendment to The Trilateral Treaty can only occur with representation from all three colonies. Lack of inclusion of a colony will make amendment null and void, and any subsequent output non-sustainable.
ARTICLE 14: SPACE OBJECTS
Colonies shall retain jurisdiction and control over their space objects, and shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects. Colonies shall avoid the harmful contamination of outer space.
APPENDIX II: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
The Butterfly Effect is a concept proposed by the American meteorologist Edward N. Lorenz (1917-2008) to highlight the possibility that small cau
ses may have momentous effects.
Archived in Port Sydney Database 103 – Old-World Concepts and Conjectures
Excerpt from Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set off a Tornado in Texas?.pdf (1972)
By Edward U. Lorenz, Sc.D. Professor of Meteorology Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
1) If a single flap of a butterfly’s wings can be instrumental in generating a tornado, so also can all the previous and subsequent flaps of its wings, as can the flaps of the wings of millions of other butterflies, not to mention the activities of innumerable more powerful creatures, including our own species. 2) If the flap of a butterfly’s wings can be instrumental in generating a tornado, it can equally well be instrumental in preventing a tornado.
The question which really interests us is whether they can do even this much – whether, for example, two particular weather situations differing by as little as the immediate influence of a single butterfly will generally after sufficient time evolve into two situations differing by as much as the presence of a tornado…
One hypothesis, unconfirmed, is that the influence of a butterfly’s wings will spread in turbulent air, but not in calm air.
APPENDIX III: NEW PARIS (THE SOLAR SYSTEM FACT BOOK)
THE SOLAR SYSTEM FACT BOOK – COMPILED BY PORT SYDNEY MILITARY, AUTHOR: LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALICE SMITH
YEAR COMPILED: 2209
NEW PARIS CITY (EARTH)
History
Founded: 2111
Leadership: King Louis Dubois (ruled from 2111 – 2140)
King Jean Dubois (ruled from 2141 – 2144)
King Jacque Dubois (ruled from 2145 – 2146)
King Frank Dubois (ruled from 2147 – 2167)
King Alexandre Dubois (ruled from 2168 – 2198)
Queen Marie Dubois (ruled from 2199 – present)
Geography
Location: Northern Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates: 48.8566° N, 2.3522° E
Map reference: Europe
Area: 35 square miles
Terrain (estimate): 900 miles of underground tunnels
Natural resources: none
People and Society
Population (estimate): 250,000
Nationality: Parisian
Races (estimates): 50% White, 20% Black, 15% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 5% Mixed
Languages: English, French
Religion: Imperial cult (worship of the Queen), theocracy
Average life expectancy: 35
Government
Type: Monarchy, hereditary rule
Economy
Type: State property
Taxes: >50% of income
Industries: Narcotics, military products, textiles
Population below poverty line: 95%
GDP: unknown
Exports: Euphoria
Imports: Military products, machinery and equipment, transportation vehicles, food items, medicine
APPENDIX IV: PORT SYDNEY MILITARY RANKS
1) Officer Cadet (OCDT)
The rank of Officer Cadet is given to those who are studying/training at the Martian Military Academy for the yearlong boot camp. Once the Martial Caliber Exams 1, 2 and 3 are passed, the cadets can advance.
2) Lieutenant (LT)
Lieutenant is a rank typically held for two years. These normally command a platoon or troop of around 10 soldiers and with experience may command more specialized platoons/troops such as mortar platoon or a reconnaissance troop. Along with Captain, they comprise the subaltern ranks.
3) Captain (CPT)
Captains are normally second-in-command of a sub-unit of up to 50 soldiers. They are key players in the planning and decision-making process within tactical level units, with responsibility for operations on the ground as well as equipment maintenance, logistical support and manpower.
4) Major (MAJ)
Promotion to Major generally occurs after 4-5 years of service. Majors are field rank officers who command a sub-unit – a company, squadron or battery - of up to 100 officers and soldiers with responsibility for their training, welfare and administration as well as the management of their equipment.
5) Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL)
Lieutenant Colonels typically command units of up to 500 soldiers, containing three to five sub-units. They are responsible for the overall operational effectiveness of their unit in terms of military capability, welfare and general discipline. Lieutenant Colonels also hold staff officer appointments on headquarters at the Brigade level and higher.
6) Colonel (COL)
Colonels do not normally command units but may hold positions of command of schools, training centers, or other groups of units as a Commandant. Other key appointments for Colonels are as senior staff officers such as Chief of Staff. Colonels may also be given specialized roles within a capability such as oversight of a project or development.
7) Brigadier General (BRIG)
Brigadiers command at the Brigade level and are also Directors General. They are responsible for branches within the Port Sydney facility such as Personnel, Operations and Career Management. The rank of Brigadier is referred to as ‘seven-star’ rank.
8) Major General (MAJGEN)
Major Generals command formations of division size, or equivalent, and hold senior executive appointments within the Department of Defense. The rank of Major General is referred to as ‘eight-star’ rank.
9) Lieutenant General (LTGEN)
Lieutenant General is the second-highest active rank in the Martian Army. The rank is held by one individual when appointed as the Vice Chief of the Defense Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, or the Chief of Capability Development. The rank of Lieutenant General is referred to as ‘nine-star’ rank.
10) General (GEN)
General is the highest active rank of the Martian Army. The rank of General is held by a single officer when appointed as the Chief of the Defense Force. The rank of General is referred to as ‘ten-star’ rank.
About the Author
I like to write about robots, spaceships, and explosions. Also, blood.
To learn more, check out my site:
www.SAwritesSF.com
the final wars rage
Find out more about the second book in the Final Wars Trilogy at
www.SAwritesSF.com
acknowledgement
Editor: Ron Seybold
