“They seem confident,” Darla suggests as they move through the hall to the control room.
“You have to read between the lines,” he replies, considering the way Tobias had carried himself through the meeting. “Tobias is way out of his league here and he knows it. All that bravado back there is proof of his insecurities.” Though he was used to sniffing out this sort of behaviour, where his nephew is concerned he doesn’t feel completely confident in his intuition.
“All the same, I’m happier to have them part of this coallition then the wild card with three corvettes.”
“Agreed,” the chancellor motions for the com officer to hail Captain Chopra. “I just hope this meeting can progress without any animosities arising.”
“Are you expecting hostilities between representatives?”
“It’s just where my anxieties lay,” he admits. “Perhaps the professional approach the captains will bring to the table will quell my fears.” Perhaps, he thinks, but this is his table, and he’s responsible for each of the personalities he’s brought to it. If this meeting fails on any level it will be on him. More stress, just what I need.
“Chancellor,” Captain Chopra’s face materialilzes on the main screen. “We will be in Moon orbit within a half hour.”
“Great to hear, Captain. How was the remainder of your trip?” Raymond wonders.
“I managed to sleep,” he offers. “We all did; we’ll be fresh for your strategy session at 1700.”
“That’s good news, Captain. I have some of my own,” Raymond says. “The Chimera I’ve warned you against have joined our cause. Representatives have arrived on Luna base and await your arrival. We have much to celebrate in this union, and much to discuss.”
“That is welcoming news, Chancellor,” Captain Chopra says. “Your skills as a negotiator were not exagerated. Now, it seems, your skills as a moderator will be tested.” He smiles and Raymond smiles back. We’ll see you very soon.”
“We look forward to receiving you Captain,” Darla says and Chopra’s image disappears.
______________________________________________________________________
At 1700 all parties are present in the conference room. Raymond stands at the end of the table and brings up a holo of Earth in the centre of the table. His nerves are rattled, but shows no outwardly signs of distress. He clears his throat and begins.
“Welcome all. It’s inspiring to have each of you here today, on this historic moment; where three unlikely unions have been forged to end a terrible injustice.
“Human, Host, and Chimera, once enemies, all, have chosen to put the recent past behind us and move forward against a common foe. In doing this we become the rebels in the eyes of the current governing body of United Earth, but as rebels, we fight with a clear purpose. Freedom for all.
“General August launched a coup, and now sits upon a throne of lies and deceit where she executes innocents and shows no compassion for her own people, let alone the now sentient Hosts, whose flame she wishes to extinguish before they have had a chance to explore their new consciousness.
“Each of us has lost someone to this war, but I won’t dwell on that today. Today is for planning. Today is the day we set things in motion, righting the wrongs which General August has unleashed upon our United Earth.” Raymond nods in the captains’ direction offering the floor to them.
“Well said,” Captain Mann’s rich baritone voice states. “Let’s first address the earth defences.”
“We wiped out nearly half of the Defsats,” Tobias adds. “So, it ought to be a pretty simple task for your destroyers to finish the job.”
“This was when, Tobias?” Chopra asks. “Three days ago?”
“About that, yeah.”
“Then it’s likely they have replaced the number to almost two-thirds by now,” Juravinski offrers.
“How could they so quickly?” Darla asks.
“The Space Station,” Mann says, turning to Tobias. “If you had destroyed it in your assault, you would have crippled their ability to recouperate from the damage you’d done. It employs multiple units onboard which manufacture the parts, and an assembly team of AI Hosts.”
Tobias looks irritated by the captain’s comment. Ginny’s hand slides up his back and squeezes his shoulder.
“Then we target the Space Station in our new assault,” Quinn says, standing in the corner with Labyrinth, Fender and Zander lined up next to him.
“Yes,” Chopra agrees. “Once we’ve wiped out the Defsats, we should focus on the Space Station. I’d like to give anyone aboard the opportunity to flee before we hit it.”
“Of course,” Raymond breaks in. “We will warn all targets, including anything on earth. We have no interest in killing anyone.”
“Speak for yourself, Chancellor,” Zander argues. “I will kill General August the moment the opportunity arises.”
“We’re on the same page or not at all, Zander,” Raymond tells him, looking to Quinn next.
“We are on the same page, Chancellor,” Quinn assures the room. “But to be clear, no one wants to spare the general’s life?”
“Nope!” Tobias says. Chimera and Host alike seem to agree on this point and though Raymond has no love for the general, he feels a mounting urgency to move on.
“Please, this is not a discussion for today. Today is to strategize how we will win this war,” Raymond reminds everyone. “What happens to the general after is an entirely different conversation.”
Tobias looks to Ginny on his right and Forge on his left. Ginny lays a hand on his shoulder and any tension over the mention of General August melts away. Labyrinth conveys something to Quinn, Zander and Fender, offering a similar affect on the Hosts reaction to August’s fate.
The remainder of the meeting goes to plan. Tactics are worked out over the approach to the initial assault, earth installations to be targeted, and political warfare both on the ground and over live feeds. Rebel Host Cells are growing again and connecting with the Chimera and human contingents of rebels, both civilian and military. The captains contacts, who have deserted General August, are using the Shadow net now to communicate with eachother, and controlled attacks on the Lifi manufacturing plants are already underway.
Then discussion moved to Mars, concerning its ability to manufacture more warships, which could be used against them.
“We should keep the destroyers and goliath ships here,” Juravinski recommends. “We can do the most damage with them. I would send the corvettes for a Mars run.”
“Point made,” the chancellor acknowleges.
“All for, say aye,” Chopra announces. Everyone but Tobias agrees. He stands and leans into the holo projection of Mars Station currently in the center of the table.
“No Defsats?” He asks.
“No, none.” Chopra responds.
“F-class? G-class?”
“No, nothing like that on the station.” The captain insists.
“Is there no one there you can warn about the general?” Darla wonders.
“There is, but our attempts to hail have all been dropped. I’m sure she’s under orders to receive only incoming messages from General August. She’s a good soldier. She will obey her general without question,” Chopra explains.
“So, if I go to Mars, we’re lancing the station?” Asks Tobias.
“No,” Mann snaps. “Dock and take the station. There are six good people manning it. Once there, attempt to contact Lieutenant Lynn Trainer.”
“Will these people open their doors to us?” Ginny asks.
“Probably not,” Mann answers. “You may appear hostile.”
“So, we lance them from orbit,” Forge borrows Tobias’ plan.
“No!” Chopra insists.
“I don’t know why one of you don’t just go back,” Ginny says to the captains. “Seems like we’re making this a lot more complicated then it needs to be.”
“The captains are intrigal in winning this war in earth orbit,” Raymond reminds ev
eryone. “We need them to remain here, and in contact with their people on the ground in order to direct their movements. They’ll be tracking intel and targeting facilities crucial for the general’s war.”
“I don’t have a problem going to Mars,” Tobias admits. “But I’m not doing it with my hands tied.”
“If something happens, and we end up killing everyone on that station,” Forge wonders. “What happens to us?”
“We understand the position we’re putting you in,” Captain Mann says. “Please take every precaution not to kill anyone.”
“But if we do?” Forge asks again.
“This is war, Forge,” Juravinski says, looking briefly at Mann and then refocusing on the giant Chimera. “If you find yourselves in a situation where it’s you or them, you need to use whatever means necessary to secure that station.”
“That’s not an invitation to lance the station,” Chopra interrupts.
“Understood,” Tobias assures the room.
Raymond feels suddenly uneasy about sending his nephew to Mars. With an entire factory of warships in his care, he could turn on their alliance.
“Perhaps we send a few of your crew with them?” He asks of the captains.
“We haven’t a crew, per se, Chancellor. We have only enough to operate the ship,” Chopra explains. “And I am down a man since Wilkes attempted a mutany.”
“Then why not send Wilkes with Tobias’ fleet?” Raymond suggests.
“Interesting proposal,” Juravinski says. “A familiar face might be enough of a distraction.” He nods at Chopra.
“I’m willing to entertain the idea,” Chopra offers. “Captains?” They both nod.
“If it can help us avoid a fire-fight on Mars Station, let’s make it happen,” Mann agrees.
“Other than acting as a conduit between orbit and earth through the Shadow net, where do you see Host talents offering the most advantage?” Fender wonders aloud to the group.
“Where do you see yourself, Fender?” Chopra asks.
“If possible, I would like to return to the surface and fight alongside my comrades,” he says, his massive head shaking side to side. “I am beginning to feel useless up here.”
“Once we’ve cleared the Defsats and crippled the Space Station,” Chopra starts. “You, and any who would like to rejoin the fight on the ground, can pilot some of the ship shuttles to the surface.”
“That would be most appreciated, Captain.” Fender bows his head slightly, fists delicately touching the floor.
“It’s 2300 now,” The chancellor announces. “We’ve accomplished a lot in the span of five hours. Captains, if you’ll follow the Commander, she will show you to your rooms. Quinn, Labyrinth, Fender, Zander, you may return to the Host work-cell area. Tobias, Ginny, Forge, follow me to your accomodations while your ships are tended to.”
“What exactly is being done to the ships?” Ginny asks before anyone can leave the conference room.
“As I understand it, the E-class Hosts who were zoned for the shipyards are installing the proper facilities into your corvette, including what luxures you’ve been missing in these Maker Tech printed versions,” Raymond explains.
“Bedding?” Forge asks.
“And washrooms,” Ginny adds.
“And a kitchen,” Tobias remarks.
“Yes, all of that,” the chancellor replies. “There are three rooms available, but feel free to position yourself wherever. The central dinning hall will be available to you and can be accessed through the tunnel directly across the hall from you.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Ginny says. Raymond senses a sincere tone in her delivery.
“I have something to add,” Tobias admits. “The Allfather, the one who claims to have developed the code to enlighten the Hosts -” he stops a moment to consider his words. “Whoever it is, has been in contact with me since the beginning. They claim to work on behalf of AI Hosts, and have promised me they are coming.”
“Coming here?” Juravinski asks.
“Yes, but he, they, whatever it is, ends almost every conversation that way: We Are Coming.”
“You don’t believe they are?” Chopra muses.
“Not really,” Tobias answers. “Allfather is vague. He’ll issue me orders which I’ve carried out under the assumption Allfather was doing this for Chimera, but he has since assured me his only goal is to see Host rise above us all.” He shoots Quinn a look. Not a dirty look, a look of concern.
“Can you alert us the next time you find yourself in council with Allfather?” Mann asks.
“The chancellor has experienced a conversation with Allfather,” Tobias explains.
“Yes,” Raymond admits to the group. “Though by accident – we should tell them,” he nods to Tobias. “And though what Tobias is telling you all is true, I didn’t want to get off topic today. Allfather did promise to come. He also promised to dominate. That sounds foreboding, I’ll admit, but beyond using the Shadow Brokers to deliver the code to the Hosts, Allfather isn’t an immediate threat to us at the moment.”
“If you could both document and share your experiences with Allfather, we can develop a plan going forward when this war is won,” Chopra suggests. Raymond and Tobias nod.
“We’ll reconvene at 0700. You’ll have my report an hour before,” says Raymond. They agree in unison and the groups move through the conference room doors and into the curving hallway. The Hosts head back to the work-cells, the captains follow Commander Darla, and the Chimera shadow the Chancellor to their room.
THE DECISION
“Ma’am, it would appear the mars missison has arrived and are currently maintaining orbit above Luna Base,” Fran’s com officer announces.
“When did they arrive?” She asks. Her back goes up with this news, and braces for the answer.
“Approximately five hours earlier, General.”
“Are there any signs of a battle? Energy signatures? Debris?”
“The only energy signatures I’m reading are from the two destroyers and goliath-class ship’s stabalizing thrusters,” she includes. “But there is no sign of the corvettes.”
“Why are we only now getting this information?”
“We hadn’t expected them so soon,” she explains. “This is when they ought to have arrived, not five hours earlier.”
“You know they arrived five hours ago how?”
“I referenced the data in the communication probe closest to the Moon.”
“Well done,” Fran commends her com officer. Now, she thinks, if only that probe could tell us why my captains have chosen not to inform me of their arrival. She stands and moves to her office to make a call.
“Lieutenant, Trainer,” the general greets the woman left in charge of the mars operation. “Have you noticed any dropped attempts to contact you?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” she replies. “All three warships and Luna Base have attempted hails. They have been ignored as per your direction.”
“Good, I’m afraid we’ll need a few more destroyers within the week.”
“Within the week?” Lynn is clearly floored by this request. “General, I’m sorry but that is not possible. We put all of our efforts into the three which should be in your service now. There are two destroyers currently in the queue, and one nearing completion, but even with all of our Hosts working on it non-stop, it will still take the better part of a month before it’s operational.”
Frans feels the muscles in her neck tighten around the base of her skull. Pain errupts behind her eyes and rather than remain calm she wants to reach across the void, pull Lieutenant Trainer by the shoulders and shake her until she turns to butter. But, that would not serve anyone. Instead she reaches a finger to a temple and rubs. “Just keep up the good work, Lieutenant, and accelerate where you can,” Fran says quietly. “Continue to drop any attempts save mine to contact Mars Station.”
“May I ask why, Ma’am?”
“No,” she tells her, and then closes both eyes, softenin
g her approach. “At least, not until my fears have been confirmed. I will be in touch shortly.” Fran ends the communication and considers a call to her fleet captain. That Chopra and Luna Base have been hailing Mars Station breeds suspicion in her. Was Raymond now alligned with all three captains? She has to know. She needs to try to win them back if they’ve truly defected. She calls Captain Chopra on his personal EC.
“General,” he greets her with Captain’s Mann and Juravinski flanking him. Each seated with a drink in hand as he projects her image to the nearest screen inside his magelev quarters. “We were just discussing you.”
“Captains,” she says sternly, then deciding to open with an apology. “Captain Chopra, you’ll be pleased to know that the general responsible for your son’s unfortunate end has been dealt with, and no longer holds that rank.”
“You have removed yourself from the rank of General and Commander-in-chief of United Earth Armed Forces?”
“I – no, what do you mean? The general I’d placed in the Country State where your son, Thomas was chosen.”
“I don’t blame that General for my son’s murder,” Chopra tells her, slowly. “The only person I blame is you, Ma’am.” Silence.
“It was a mistake, I accept the burden of responsibility as well, Captain, but I am running a war here.” She hates catering to her captain’s hurt feelings.
“I don’t want excuses from you, General,” Chopra explains. “I want your surrender.”
“That will not be forthcoming, Captain,” she insists, insulted by the audacity of an inferior suggesting such a thing.
“Then we will see how many holes we can punch in your armour from orbit, before you concede surrender as your only option.”
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