Waking in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 2)

by D Patrick Wagner

  ‘Weapons? Defenses?”

  “Our defense is concealment and when discovered, flee. From what we’ve seen on Sasania, there is not much our civilian populous can do against this alien, well-armed horde. All we can do is survive.”

  “Are you still planning on staying landside?”

  “Of course, Chamberlain. Top leaders must be protected. But I must stay with the people, guide and, hopefully, add strength of purpose.”

  “May Fukurokuju be with you and your people.”

  “Thank you, Lord Chamberlain.

  “Dono Katou, where do we stand with the domes?” Taishou Suzume took back the discussion.

  The dome manager responded, “We are constructing the domes in record time. But we are running out of transilium. The landside factories are at full capacity and the undersea plant is just coming on line. We currently have enough material for seven more domes. Then we are done, except for what the undersea factory can produce.”

  “Do not admonish yourself, Dono Katou. You have done a splendid job in the short time that we had.”

  “Thank you, Chamberlain. I only wish that I could do more.”

  “You will, Dome Master. We will need constant inspection and repair. We may be down here a very long time.”

  “My duty is yours and my Emperor, Chamberlain.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Dono Ueda?” Chamberlain Demura asked.

  “We are harvesting the ocean, slowly and carefully, Lord Chamberlain. Due to the constraint of keeping our energy signature as low as possible, our farming and hunting machines are running at minimal power. We’ve worked at balancing food production with minimal energy output and believe we have found a balance. Food collection now matches current consumption. However, as more people arrive, we will need to increase our environmental footprint. That may become a problem.”

  “Then we are balanced. Good. I will prepare an announcement asking all people to show restraint in their food consumption. Water desalinization?”

  “The plant is underground. No external activity is observable. We have all the water we need, without any danger of being discovered.”

  “Air extraction”

  “Same situation. The air extraction plant is underground. Water flows in through ducts and the oxygen is extracted. Also, the carbon monoxide scrubbers are in the same underground facility.”

  “Thank you, Dono Ueda.”

  “Brigadier General Tanaka. Landside emplacements?’

  “Taishou Suzume. The entrenching and camouflage is completed. The remote control mechanisms have all been installed. We are currently running diagnostics and testing on all of the units to insure operability.”

  “Combat androids?”

  “Sir, as you know, we only have seventeen. I’ve placed them all in a cavern with a full complement of fighting vehicles and equipment. My thoughts are to wait for the appropriate opportunity before they are mobilized.”

  “Excellent thinking. What are your plans on the entrenched armament?”

  “We wait. We will not be able to keep the alien invasion from landing. Each battery is a one-time action. The alien’s air cover will destroy any units which fire. Therefore, I believe the most efficient usage will be to wait until a target has been well-established. We destroy it and force the aliens to rebuild. This will buy us time.”

  “And time is what we need. We trade material for time. Excellent planning, General.”

  “Thank you, Taishou.”

  “Shuhan Oishi, what have we heard concerning Sasania?”

  “Full occupation and enslavement, Taishou,” replied the head of the Royal Shadows. “This is from intelligence we have collected three days ago.” After staring at his personal data pad, the Royal Shadows Commander continued. “What people the aliens don’t eat, they use as slave labor. The people are being forced to build many alien constructs, set in clusters, all connected by enclosed pathways. They are also strip-mining the planet of minerals and metals. Governor Ardishar, the son of the Sultan, has been installed as a puppet, enforcing the alien demands and placating the masses.”

  “Bleak. Harbinger of what is to become of Nye-Nippon.”

  ‘I’m afraid so, Taishou.”

  “How is the training progressing?”

  “Very well. Every capable citizen has volunteered for training and weapons procurement. Everyone trains hard, with purpose. We are also training in undersea battle, in case the aliens have the ability to function under water.”

  ‘Have you worked with Brigadier Tanaka and land action?”

  “Only scouting and intelligence gathering. I will use the Nightshades for that. The best of My Emperor’s Shadows. The Brigadier will handle the delivery and recovery of my people. No time frames or targets have been formally established. However, we will infiltrate our Nightshades immediately. Then we will begin to design our plans after the aliens achieve landfall.”

  “Thank you, Shuhan. Anyone, any questions?”

  “Emergency escape?”

  “I’m sorry, Dono Katou. If the aliens discover and bomb the domes, there will be no time for escape. The only chance of survival is to flee to the underground passageways and seal the air-tight doors. We will have all the air and water we need. But, we will eventually starve. To that end, I believe that Dono Ueda is storing all foodstuffs underground. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, Lord Chamberlain. All foodstuffs are safe from bombardment. But there will be a limit. If the aliens do not destroy the sea beds we will be able to continue to harvest, but our production will be limited.”

  “Thank you, Dono Ueda. Any other questions?”

  “No one spoke. Everyone shook their heads.

  “On behalf of Emperor Kaneko, we thank you all.”

  The statement of obvious dismissal from Chamberlain Demura resulted in the four on-site underling’s rising, bowing and exiting. Governor Ishii performed a waist-level bow, his hologram winked off.

  “Shall we?”

  “After you, Lord Chamberlain.”

  The two sub-leaders rode the elevator from the top of the royal observation tower to the seabed level. Upon hearing the arrival of the cage and before the doors opened, the limousine driver jumped out of the car, opened the driver’s side rear door, raced around and opened the passenger’s side rear door. The elevator doors slid open, revealing Chamberlain Demura and Taishou Suzume. By the time the Chamberlain entered and sat, the driver had closed his door, raced around the vehicle and closed the driver’s side. With both his charges situated, the driver took his position and drove to the first stop of the agenda.

  Arriving at the newly erected manufacturing dome, Chamberlain Demura and Taishou Suzume waited for Dono Hamasaki. When the production manager arrived, Suzume started the conversation.

  “Good day, Dono Hamasaki.”

  “And to you, Taishou, Chamberlain.” Standing the proper distance from the two powerful men, he bowed deeply and waited for each to return a shallow one.

  “How is production?’

  “Excellent, Ambassador. We’ve reached maximum production capacity. We’re producing between ninety to one hundred-ten drones a day. Over three hundred are awaiting launch. We will hit one thousand within a week.”

  “Then you have all of the 3D printers and fabricators you need?”

  “Them and more. With the extras, we will not need to worry about breakdowns or repairs.”

  “Production material?”

  “The deliveries are on-time and consistent. As the different materials are mined from the ocean floor, there is no risk of interruption. No bottlenecks there, Chamberlain.”

  “Have we hardened their shells, flight and anchorage?”

  “Yes, Taishou. Electro-magnetic pulses will be dispersed. They still will not withstand a particle beam or projectile strike, but their evasive capabilities have been enhanced. Self-drilling spikes have been added to their landing legs. They will be able to cling to any surface they can drill.

  “T
hank you, Dono Hamasaki. May Ebisu smile on you and your family.”

  “And may Bishamonten smile on you and those you lead.”

  The final stage of their semi-weekly inspection tour took the chamberlain and the supreme general to the newly constructed observation dome. They Watched the frantic productivity of tens of men and women installing, testing and activating hundreds of monitors in multiple rows. The two leaders of the Nye-Nippon effort knew that this one, small, single dome resting on the ocean bed was to become their home world’s eyes and ears that watched as the monsters destroyed everything and everyone they held dear.

  Chapter 5

  Shar’s Bar

  The morning sun bathed the eastern face of Shar’s place in a soft, golden glow, the warming sun sitting low enough to wash the old-styled wooden façade under the shingle-covered overhang. A morning breeze swirled the fresh smell of prairie grass around the entranceway and down the road adding to the quiet, country morning. This moment of peace bespoke of a past, quieter time, of a past, simpler life. One without pending catastrophe.

  Over the course of the next fifteen minutes, transport vehicles pulled up. Single individuals exited. Governor Kaufman arrived first, immediately followed by Richelle Brandt and Garman Burkhardt. Entering as one, they saw Lawrence Gregor and his daughter sitting at their usual places, each with their own country breakfast. They saw Kevin Roth and his boy also seated, also eating. Somehow Randy had managed to end up across from Harriet. Again, Lawrence and Kevin exchanged looks.

  Willy manned the kitchen. Tommy occupied his usual spot behind the bar. Shar bustled around, pouring hot drinks, clearing plates, delivering others, generally taking care of her clientele.

  In fits and spurts, the rest of Gregor’s team descended the stairwell. The Tolimar people sauntered through the entrance. Patricia took her spot at her computer table. The others sat in their regular seats. Friendly dialogue and banter ensued. Shar delivered more food and morning drinks.

  Half the morning passed as comradery and friendships continued to grow. Breakfast came to a finish. Shar cleared the tables. More hot drinks appeared. Everyone quieted down, ready to get to the point of the get-together.

  This time, Gregor stayed seated, stayed quiet. He knew, that for this to work, the power brokers of Tolimar needed to know that their input carried as much weight as Gregor and his team. Everyone looked around, waiting for someone to take charge.

  Governor Kaufman took the floor. “Ok. We’ve talked. And we damn sure don’t like it. But we all agree. The aliens are coming. The Federacy can’t stop them. So we either wait to become bug food or we do everything we can to try and keep them out of our own back yard. We choose not to be bug food. So we agree to have you Gregor people come to Tolimar and get set up.” Pointing to the owner of the lumber company, the governor continued, “Garman has some ideas about that. So, Garman, you’re up.” The Governor stopped talking, lifted his mug and took a swig.

  “We all talked. We came to the conclusion that you and your space people are different than us grounders. We don’t think that we’d get along. Especially if you all and we all lived side-by-side. So here’s what we came up with.” Garman paused and took his own swig.

  “I’ve got an abandoned lumber camp about two hours north of here, at the base of the mountains. The land is already cleared, except for the stumps. The old cook shed and bunk buildings are still standing. And there’s a single well. We figured that would be a good place for your town. You’re close, but you don’t get in the way. And, the plains in between can be where you build whatever factories or warehouses you plan on building.”

  “Mrs. Grey, could you bring up a map of this region?”

  The IT specialist followed Gregor’s request by projecting a three-dimensional map of Erstadt and the region under discussion. Rotating the view, she achieved a land-level view, displaying the lumber camp with the mountain range in the background. The Tolimar contingent knew what was there. Their interest waned. Gregor’s team stared intently, picking out details, collecting ideas.

  “Would you switch to an aerial view and pull back?”

  The scene changed as the computer model rotated and the sight line changed to an overhead angle. The Tolimars waited. Gregor and his team studied the results.

  “Mr. Thomas?”

  “Good, flat land. River’s close. I can get our factories up and running. For energy, if Tolimar approves, we can use nuclear batteries. Bury them deep. Wrap them in concrete.”

  “Gentlemen?”

  “I use a battery, myself, out at the ranch,” the senior Roth stated. As long as you go overboard keeping it safe, I see no problem.”

  The Governor scanned his people. They all nodded in agreement. “Nuclear batteries seem OK.”

  “We’ve got roads, water, land, power,” Gregor’s Manufacturing manager continued. “We bring in the people, either your locals or ours and I am good to go.”

  “Mr. Blandini?”

  “Same here. I can make it work.”

  “Harriet, Mr. Miller, can you organize a crew to build the town?”

  A person in control should never ask a question when he didn’t know the answer. Gregor already knew the answers he was going to get.

  His two seconds looked at each other. Harriet spoke for both. “Yes, Father. We’ll take that on.”

  “The Gregor Corporation accepts.”

  “You’re gonna need to pay for the land.”

  “Of course, Mr. Burkhardt. The wheels of commerce must continue to turn. Name your price.”

  “Call me ‘Garman. Won’t be much. Just my cost.”

  “More than fair, Garman. Call me Lawrence. Mr. Chandler, please organize the payment.”

  With that trying problem put to rest, the whole table gave an emotional sigh of relief.

  “I’ve got well diggers,” Roth, Senior stated. “Garman has construction people. Richelle has rock breakers. You need people. We got them. Not for free, mind you, but we got them.”

  “No problem. I planned on paying for everything as we go. No freebies. I’m not here to gouge you people. I’m here to protect me and mine. You and yours coming along is just added benefit.”

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I need a break,” Richelle announced.

  Everyone stood and mingled, forming small groups of like-minded people. Gregor ended up standing next to the elder Roth.

  Surreptitiously Looking at his daughter, he commented. “You old dog. You were hoping those two would get together,” Lawrence commented in sotto.

  “Maybe I had a thought,” Kevin responded. “My boy hasn’t found anyone here at home. He sowed his oats during his wild and woolly life in the marines and college. Me and the missis, we figure it’s time he settled down. Besides, it doesn’t look like your daughter is exactly fighting him off.”

  “No, she’s not doing that.”

  “Well, time will tell.”

  “Yes it will.”

  Kevin wandered away. Shelley wandered up. “We got what we wanted.”

  “Yes we did.

  “How do you think they are going to react when we bring in five thousand free-space rebels, a bunch of armament and all their weaponized ships?

  “At first, not good. But, they’ll adjust. Speaking of which, have you got all the people and equipment you need on Latinia to build us a nice, big spaceport next to our new town?”

  “Yes, sir, Boss,” Shelly Joked. “Counting the five days for the message to reach home, I can have crew and equipment here in less than three weeks. Everything is ready to go.”

  “Good. That’s the first order of business. Send the message. I’ll get with Harriet and Sean and get moving on the other construction. We’ll use as much local help as we can get. Throw some credits around. Let them see that we are the good guys.

  “You play the game so well, cousin.”

  “Something about pot and kettle?”

  Aboard the Wisdom Seeker

  The artificial morning bask
ed the interior of the Elonian science vessel in shades of soft blues. The moisture in the air formed sparkling diamonds of ice on the bulkheads and hatchways as the almost freezing air softly circulated through the giant space ship. Princess Analyn stoically stood as her handmaiden brushed her black-and-white mottled fur, working out any snarls or tangles that had appeared during the night. Working down the Princess’s tail, the servant squatted and began on the fur or Her Highness’s legs.

  Princess Analyn watched as her personal maid gathered royal robes and trappings, preparing for her meeting with her father, the King. Looking at the cooling device resting on the nightstand, the second heir to the throne sighed, wishing that she could put it on and rush back to the alien ship, this Griffin. But first, she and her team of scientists needed to report the previous day’s adventure to her father.

  After her handmaiden completed the morning grooming, her personal maid commenced to dress the Princess in her formal gown. The maid wrapped a burned-orange, full-bodied toga around princess Analyn’s torso, baring one furry shoulder and draping it over the other. When completed, the wrapping ended in a skirt that lightly brushed her foot-paws. After placing the royal medallion around her princess’s neck and carefully centering it on her princess’s chest, the maid squatted and buckled the ceremonial weapons belt and dagger around her waist.

  With a sigh of resignation, Princess Analyn completed her morning preparations and meal. Then the Princess left her spacious quarters and headed towards the conference room with Sir Mahajani magically appearing to follow a step behind and just to her left. Upon arriving she found her scientists, Doctors Ganakin and Roshnak, as well as the assistant researcher Mr. Shukilar. Also in attendance were Vidhee and Dame Srilin. Just as she assumed her position at the head of the table, Captain Kakkarna entered and took his place at the opposite end.”

  “Dame Srilin, if you would be so kind, would you contact my father?”

  “Certainly, My Princess.”

  “And bring up the holograph?”

  “Of course.”