The Revolution- Can Man Beat Machine

by David Nash

  “The Legion is proud to travel to talk with the Herd; Admiral Aegeus has also described your honor and skill at battle to me. Whom do I have the honor of addressing? Are you the Heard Leader?”

  A sharp neighing sound followed by a snort comes from the centaur. “No, I am not the Herd Leader; He does sully himself with technology. I am Harras Leader Areion; I am to act as your liaison to the Herd. Once you dock, I will introduce the Herd Leader to you.”

  “Thank you Harras Leader Areion, I look forward to the meeting.” The screen shimmers and reappears as a blank wall. I look to Aegeus.

  “Tell me again what a Harras Leader is?”

  “General, a Harras is a group of stud horses. Each stud is the leader of a band of 150-200 Centaurs; such a band would have 50 to 60 warriors, with the rest being females, foals, and the aged. A Harras contains approximately 150 such studs, so Areion commands a herd of approximately 7500 warriors and upwards of 15000 civilians. This habitat is the largest and it contains 25 such Harras. The two smaller Habitats contain 20 or so each. This is the remains of the once mighty Centaurus species.”

  The Admiral just told me that the former Confederation enforcers now count around one million citizens and 500,000 warriors. That is not a lot.

  7

  Colony Fleet

  Our plan is to make jumps system to system heading outward in the direction the Ape like Burrougots are thought to have headed. By making system to system jumps and then searching the planets in each system for signs of the advanced civilization we hope to catch up with the colony ship traveling at sub-light speeds. Of course, they have a four thousand year head start, could change direction at any time, or develop the ability to calculate FTL hyperspace without the help of the Kernel.

  I don’t let anyone know how hopeless I think our mission is, because the crew has to have unshakable confidence in their commander’s confidence. If I looked shaky, the whole fleet would fall apart. To bolster my confidence, or the appearance thereof, we had lots of combat drills. They can hate me, but they can’t say I don’t have standards…

  “Secure from Battle stations, I want all section heads in conference room in 10 minutes for an after action briefing.”

  “Aye Aye Commodore Jones, secure from battle stations, hot wash in the conference room in 10.”

  I step away from my command chair in my war room, and walk down to the Research station. Isoken messaged that she had something interesting to show me. While I can hope, I don’t think it is so interesting that it would take more than 5 minutes or so.

  I enter the small research space aboard the mothership. Commander Jones is in her element. She is wearing a lab coat over her uniform and is leaned forward over a console and is directing her staff toward some unknown objective. She notices me and walks over. My wife carries herself with all the decorum of a senior officer aboard a warship, but I can tell she is excited.

  “Commodore, may I invite you to my office?” She says, as she motions toward her small private workspace.

  “Yes Commander, please” I say, I notice her staff studiously avoid noticing our conversation, they obviously respect their commander, but it has to be hard to be married to the ‘boss’. No matter how discrete her staff is, I can tell they are happy. The feeling in the room is near bursting with giddiness. It is not the normal feeling condoned by my Science Officer.

  When the door shuts, Isoken finally lets her true emotion show, whatever it is, she is excited.

  “Joseph, we did it! We broke the carrier signal. We can finally block the Kernel transmissions in their entirety. Do you know what this means?”

  “It means that you will soon outrank me.” I said grinning and embracing my genus wife “What do you need to test this? How long will it take to implement your breakthrough fleet wide?”

  “We have already done some small scale testing. I would like a fighter to modify. Testing should only take a week. If successful, we can have a deeper cloak throughout the fleet in a month tops. We can have blocking tech on the bridge and conference room much sooner, maybe 15 days for the mothership and destroyer. The main time would be teaching the ship engineers the system.”

  “Whatever you need, it is yours. This is a priority; we also need to figure out how to get the tech to back to the Legion. Come with me, I want you to share this in the AAR meeting. We have 6 minutes, and if we are late, people are sure to wonder what took us so long.”

  We leave her office, and taking a trick from General Davis, I spend a few moments with her team.

  “Guys, you just made history. More importantly, you made this fleet, the legion, and humanity safer. I personally will see to it your contributions to science will be noted. I can’t express how proud I am of all of you. However, remember, we have Barkun and non-citizen kernels onboard. Until we are able to get this information securely and secretly to the Legion, all talk of your breakthrough is to be confined to this room and the people present in this room. We cannot allow your breakthrough to be discovered by the Kernel of Sentience. Do you all understand?”

  My speech did somewhat put a wet blanket on their enthusiasm, but I can see in their eyes they understood. “Yes Sir!” They all reply.

  I put my hand on the back of the nearest scientist, and say, “Don’t worry, we will soon share your achievement. I won’t rest until you get the proper reward for such great work. General Davis will hear your names personally.” That got a return of the grins. I motion to Commander Jones; we are going to be late for the meeting.”

  8

  Centaurus Habitats

  The hanger bay was large enough to dock my shuttle, the rest of the fleet remained outside. Besides a small security detail, we only landed with Ambassador Chris Kronberg, Rear Admiral Aegeus, Marvin, and me. The hanger was typical space tech, and Harras Leader Areion appeared as soon as the bay was pressurized. After formal, yet efficient introductions and appropriate ceremony, he led us down a long corridor that was industrial looking and filled with the mechanics needed to support a space habitat. After a rather long walk, we reached an airlock.

  Harras Leader Areion stops at the door. He looks uncomfortable, which is disconcerting on such a fierce looking warrior. “General Davis, the mechanical rooms and corridors you have seen are an everlasting shame to my people. We are the Herd, and we belong on the sea of grass. Most centaurs will not acknowledge our shame, and rely on a few who are able to live with it in order to ensure the continued existence of our people. Please do not take this as weakness, as there are few warriors as brave as those raised by the herd.”

  I step solemnly and respectfully toward Areion. I look him in the eye and say, “It is not shame to suffer for your kind. I once bore the deepest shame of my people as I was forced to desert my military in order to protect my species. It was not by choice, and I hated it with every fiber of my being, but through the pain I was made stronger, as were my people. The Legion holds the Centaurus people as worthy of our respect, and together, I hope to forge an alliance that can return pride back to your people and rid the galaxy of those that threaten both of our species.”

  The Harras leader nods his head in a horse like manner, I see he approves, but he does not respond with words. He simply turns and opens a door.

  Beyond the threshold lies a huge room. It is furnished in a rustic manner. The building seems to be made of stone and log. The floor is simple packed dirt. Spears, Bows, and other primitive weapons line the walls. After we all enter, the door shuts and is covered by a log wall. No one was there to meet us, but Areion led us outside of the ‘arena’ and into a wide open expanse of green pasture. Rolling hills and tall grass went nearly as far as the eye could see. In the distance I could see what appeared to be mountains, but I was not sure. Our group headed out under the Harras Leader’s guidance. As we travelled I saw more centaurs of various ages playing and working fields. When I noticed the fields I queried our host “I mean no offense, but do you have a replicator shortage? I notice your people are growing crops?�
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  “Coming from another, I may have taken the question as a slight, but I understand your desire to join the Centaurus herd in battle so I excuse your ignorance. We do not have a shortage of the Kernel replicator technology; we just prefer to remain close to the Grass Sea whenever possible. We grow food because we can grow food. We do not rely on computers like weaker species.”

  “I understand, and respect the concept; my species has many that feel as you do. They are so numerous their herd has a specific name. We call them Luddites.” This got a look of displeasure from the Ambassador.

  “I should like to meet these Luddites, I bet they are a powerful herd and trample their enemies into the dirt.” Areion says gravely.

  “Yes,” I say and change the subject “Are we far from the Herd Leader?”

  “No General, we are near the meeting spot, it is near the top of that rise.” Our liaison points to a nearby hillock when we hear a thunderous roar. It sounds like a thousand drums beating as dust rises over the hills in front of us. The roaring increases in volume yet remains as rhythmic as ever. Soon, we see a great herd of Centaur warriors top the hill. They stop suddenly as if by command and with the cessation of the beating of a thousand hooves the landscape becomes totally silent. The dust begins to settle, and I look toward the hill to see a huge Centaur in the center of the formation. He is has long jagged scars covering his body, a dead eye as a lasting testament to an ancient battle. His skin is deep bronze and his hair is grey as the winter sky. In his hand he holds a massive spear. This must be the Herd Leader.

  Harras Leader Areion noticed my attention, “Behold Herd Leader Nessus, let us continue and give respect. He should not be kept waiting.”

  “Carry on then.” I said, motioning to my crew to start back up the hill.

  When we arrived Areion bowed at his forelegs and motioned toward me as he addressed Nessus “Sire, I bring the Human that defeated the Barkun as you ordered.”

  Nessus stared at me, I could tell he wanted me to bow, my ambassador did, but the Legionaries, including Admiral Aegeus followed my lead and did not. I step forward toward the Herd Leader.

  The centaurs around him bound toward me, cutting him off from my advance. 5 spears and 2 arrows are pressed toward my open face plate of my armor. Behind me I hear clicks and snaps as my men ready their weapons. I motion for my men to stand down, as I do that I also gently push aside the spear whose razor sharp point is nearly tickling my nose.

  “Herd Leader Nessus, I have heard of your skill as a warrior, surely you do not need these foals to fight for you. I am not here for such things, but perhaps, if you desire, I can train them in the ways of a warrior.” A gasp comes from my university trained diplomat.

  Nessus rears and throws his spear at me; it strikes the ground in front of me with such force it quivers back and forth. He smiles and trots toward me. “Surly a Stallion does not need to tell that he is a Stallion.” He says to me, “let us ride the Grass Sea so we can speak as warriors without our war bands.

  “Surely” I reply as he and I walk out and away from the throng. He travels quickly and for hours, perhaps he is testing my endurance, which, in my suit is limited only by the life span of my reactor. Since our small modular reactors have a service life of 50 years, I imagine he will tire first.

  When evening comes, the Herd Leader finally stops. He looks at me with an appraising look and says, “I never would have thought the humans would defeat the Barkun, several species deemed more advanced have fallen to their devious plots and punishment ships.”

  I do not rise to the bait, as he said; a Stallion does not need to tell his status.

  Nessus waits, and when no response is given his face shows a sad smile and he give a slight shrug, “Of course, since it is just two Stallions, I can say, I never thought the Centaurus War Herd would fall to them either.”

  To this I reply, ”A famous warrior of my species said It is not how many times you get knocked down that matters, but how many times you get up.”

  Cutting to the chase the Herd Leader said, “Well said, especially when negotiating that the Herd gets back up on your side.”

  “Why wouldn’t you, your warriors are feared throughout the galaxy, that is why they keep you here so you cannot rise against them. My warriors are not feared, yet we have never been beaten. Together, I believe we can do more than defeat our enemies, we can create a new world where the powerful protect the weak.”

  Nessus snorts, “Why should we protect the weak.”

  My natural words are to remind him that in this instance, he represents the weak, but tactically I try a better approach.

  “Herd Leader, I am new to the Confederation, but I researched its history. When the Centaurus acted as the Confederation Enforcers, protected planets were protected. There was no need to sterilize planets. Your people enforced the law with justice. In that way you have shown a willingness to protect the weak. Had that not been the case, I would not be here.”

  “You have already won; your Legion has taken space from the Barkun, just as they took the Grass Sea from the Centaurus people. What do you need with us?”

  “The Barkun are a symptom of the corruption, have you seen the abomination the Kernel calls riders?”

  “I have seen, and it makes me sick.”

  “The Legion will end the rule of the Kernel of Sentience, and I want the Centaurus people as allies when we do it.”

  “Such a thing is treason. Moreover, it cannot be done.”

  “It is not treason if we win, and it’s not treason if the Kernel violates the laws they were created to enforce. More importantly would you have said it would be impossible for a protected planet to defeat the Barkun and force the Kernel to recognize our Planetary Republic?”

  “Quite, what use would you have from the Herd Army?”

  “I want you to fight, how and when depends on our battle plan and how the strengths and weakness of the herd work with the strengths and weaknesses of the Legion. There is time for us to learn each other and build tactical doctrine. For now, I would like to start building trust and understanding by leaving some Legionnaires to live with the Herd, and ask you send some of your stallions to learn about the Legion.”

  “You ask a lot, most stallions have forgotten that they live on an illusion of the Grass Sea, to leave the illusion and be reminded of our shame is not for the weak. However, let it not be said the Herd is weak. Let us return to our peoples. You will have what you desire. If we build a sound plan then the Herd will fight.”

  I extend my hand, “On Earth, warriors clasp hands to seal such a pact. I recognize your warrior spirit and look toward a future where Centaurus and Human secure a just future for all.” Nessus grasps my hand, we shake and being the journey back to our people. This time, it was not a contest to see who would outlast each other; this trip was the start of a friendship. We went slower and spoke more of better times and the histories of ourselves and our people.

  9

  Colony Fleet

  We were not going to turn around, but neither would we trust such a technological advantage to a communications drone. In the end I decided to modify a fighter with a hyperspace engine and send a Captain and a citizen Kernel along with a member of the research team. The Crew of the fighter would have no idea of their message, and the researcher would not be coming back. They were going to fly back to Hoth, drop off the researcher and then come back. The Destroyer would then take her back to Earth space. We would standby at our current location and use the mission stand down to finish the cloak refit.

  “Dr. Holland, Do you need anything before you leave? Do you have all the required research?” I ask, knowing the answer would be negative.

  “No Commodore Jones, I have everything I need. I hate that I am leaving the mission though.” She said

  “Nonsense, Commander Jones said you were the instrumental in the breakthrough, your understanding is vital to get the rest of the Legion up to speed. You will be missed, but you are needed more back h
ome.” I extended my hand and we shook hands as she climbed into the cramped fighter. It was neither designed for the additional space of a hyperspace generator nor a third crewman. It would be uncomfortable, but it would also be fast.

  Once the fighter departed and cloaked, I went back to my command center.

  “Alright folks, let’s spend this time wisely, I want the modifications made as quickly as possible. Rotate our watch standers, and keep rotating out our fighters, I want a ready team on standby, and a third of our fighters on patrol until we get that fighter back.”

  My crew responded in the affirmative, as did the captains of the ships of my fleet.

  While my fleet would be gainfully employed for the next few weeks, I had a project of my own.

  I took a shuttle to the assault ship to visit my troops, but mainly I wanted to see how the Barkun were fitting in.

  I noticed, and ignored, a fair amount of bruising and minor cuts to both the Barkun and my junior enlisted. Their staff NCO’s were able to tell I noticed, as that is the job of the noncommissioned officers. By their lack of comments, and the tidiness and order in the infantry berthing areas I surmised that the conflict was natural and well handled.

  Later, I would confirm my suspicions with their commanding officer, but for now I would let the issue slide.

  In talking to the Barkun, I could see that they, as a whole, still held some animosity toward their role usurped by the Legion, but I could also see a grudging respect. We did not allow them to keep their rank structure intact, as they no longer have a military, however, I had the Sergeant Major find the Barkun that the others deferred to and it did not surprise me that he was a former high enforcer. I had him brought to my Battalion CO’s office that I was borrowing for this meeting.