Typhoon of Steel

by Marshall Miller

  Torbin kissed the love of his life back. “Are you just saying that because this is our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary?”

  “No, Torbin. I am saying that it is our wedding anniversary because of all those characteristics. You are not a good person, you are the best person. And I love you with all my heart.”

  He stood up and they hugged and kissed for a couple of minutes, as the two War Dogs looked on, tails wagging a bit. The pack leaders were happy, so all was right with the world.

  Finally, they stood a bit apart, holding hands. “I keep listening for engines, looking for vehicles coming up the road,” said Aleks. “We can see people coming for several miles yet I see nothing moving.”

  “Think no one is going to show up for our celebration?”

  “If they do not, I will track them down and they will wish they had come.”

  Torbin laughed. “Just like the chapter I’m working on. Things change but stay the same. You are a retired grandmother but still act like a hard-ass Russian spy.”

  “If I did not keep my ass hard and tight, you would grow tired of me.”

  Torbin grabbed Aleks and pulled her close again, “Never. You are the love of my life. You gave me two handsome young men. We are soulmates…forever.”

  They kissed again long and deep. Then, Aleks slowly pushed him away.

  “We must stop, before I tear you clothes off, Torbin, and ravish you on this porch. If the guests arrive too soon…’

  “You ravish me? I thought we men did that to you women.”

  Aleks showed him a sly smile. “Married twenty-five years and still you have not learned who is really in control. Ask Abigail what I taught her to keep Ichiro happy, satiated…”

  Torbin put his hands over his ears. “TMI. Too much information. That’s my little sister you are talking about.”

  “Who is a grown woman with three beautiful children of her own.”

  “Her son is handsome, not beautiful. You don’t call men beautiful. It is not done where I come from.”

  Aleks stole a quick kiss. “And with that, I will leave you to your writing. I am going to call a few cell and PDA phones, see where everyone is. We always have someone show up early.”

  “I will await your results, my love.”

  Aleks went to make her calls and Torbin tried not to grin. So far, so good. For once it seemed the Russian spy had not ferreted out any info about his special plan for the day.

  Torbin shifted the 44 Magnum pistol on his belt. The pistol was the one Madam President had given him so many years ago, which he felt odd when he was not wearing it. With Eaters, grizzly bears and some humans who still had evil in their hearts, he always made sure he was packing. Above the front door off the porch was the Saiga 12 Gauge with which Aleks had killed the Eater Fuzz had stopped in their old base duplex. Above it was Torbin’s liberated from the Pits M-1 Garand. Aleks had kept both of her service automatics, fully loaded in the nightstands upstairs. A gold inlay Commemorative General Officers Model M-9 Beretta pistol mounted on a plaque in the recreation room even had a loaded magazine stashed behind the plaque. A firearm was worthless unless it had ammunition and was ready to go at all times.

  Things change but remain the same. Torbin chuckled. Stripped down for an intensive cleaning was one of the few civilian versions of the Bender 6mm Standard Issue Military Automatic Rifle produced. Named in his honor, part of a combined Russian and U.S. project, the state of the art rifle that was a combination of all the best characteristics of the Kalashnikov and Armalite designs, it was touted as the rifle that would serve the Allied Armed Forces for the foreseeable future. Then after some twenty thousand standard rifles, with smaller numbers of Carbines, Designated Marksmanship Weapons and Squad Automatic Weapons produced, the U.S. jumped ship and produced a downsized version of the Tschaaa Energy Bolt Weapon (EBW) as its standard issued weapon. Seems the U.S. was always good at convincing others to buy a certain design, caliber, and then all of a sudden deciding to jump ahead with some new design.

  The Russians were not exactly happy, and kept producing their version of the Bender Weapon for years to come, buying small quantities of the EBW for their specialized teams. The Japanese kept producing small numbers of their indigenous Type 89 Assault Rifle, some in the Bender 6mm Round for specialized units. They bought few of the EBW weapons. Most of the newly reconstituted armed forces of the world bought the Russian weapon, so the Bender Round would be around for years. Most countries thought the anti-armor capability of the hypervelocity EBW round was not sufficient to outweigh the cost. After all, the Guardian Angels kept any large scale conflicts from arising.

  The Bender Round was extremely popular as a high velocity hunting round, but few people wanted to invest in an assault weapon that fired it. Everyone had left over M-16s and other Armalite design weapons, all sufficient for “social work”, so the 6mm round was usually seen in bolt or lever action rifles. A cottage industry did arise where like new M-16s and M-4 were modified to take the Bender Round, though the wear on the lighter rifles was higher. But, some people wanted an auto rifle with the best possible conventional ammunition, so a few thousand of the converted rifles were floating around. U.S. Law Enforcement got the windfall of all the surplus weapons, and all but a few thousand were in police agencies hands. Here and there a Russian weapon would pop up in some armory, with a few dozen semi-auto Russian sporting rifles being imported every year.

  Surprisingly, following the implementation of The Great Compromise, conflicts between Tschaaa and Humans were relative few after the signing of the necessary Protocols. There would always be those humans who never forgave the aliens, nor forgave the people who refused to implement a full fledge genocide by launching the special warhead She-Bear Missile. Some place, in an extremely secret location, the original warhead developed by Colonel Bardun and Pappy Gunn was hidden, “on ice” capable of use if necessary.

  However, in the almost twenty-five years since the signing and implementations of the Compromise Treaty and Related Protocols, there had been many more human versus human conflict than Squid and human. Things change but remain the same. Much of the cooperation was due to two industries. The Tschaaa had rediscovered their abilities at husbanding all the various resources of the oceans. Fish and other marine life flourished, with the Tschaaa herding immense schools of marine species all over the globe, providing more than enough food sources for both the increasing human and Tschaaa populations. In fact, the only complaints about these arrangements came from a small minority if humans protesting the “factorization” of the marine life. When that concept and complaint was first brought to the Tschaaa Lords, they had spent some ten minutes performing the Tschaaa version of belly laughs. They had saved entire species from overfishing as well as cleaned much of the garbage from the seas and somehow they were the “bad guys” in this? Nah.

  The second industry was space research. Already humans had taken many of the concepts the Tschaaa had brought with them about interstellar travel and improved them with leaps and bounds. For humans were much better in thinking “outside the box”. Thus, the research by Professor Fassbinder and the Olson twins had caused a huge leap in space travel. Such a huge leap that, on the far side of the moon, man and woman kind were finishing the first large FTL/warp drive craft developed. They had developed a very efficient way to use dark matter and dark energy so that huge spacecraft could have enough energy to “warp” space around them, as the Tschaaa small scout ships could do.

  The one concern was political. The Tschaaa did not want the ship used to interfere with the travel of the generational Crèche ships in route to their home world. When notified of The Great Compromise, the interstellar ships were deep in “slingshot” mode around the sun. They had offered little comment other than to remind their fellow Tschaaa that they had chosen to remain on Earth, with a “you made your bed, you sleep in it” attitude. Some groups of humans wanted to demand that the some two billion corpsicals be returned along with the human breeding p
airs, exact number unknown. The Tschaaa on the starships ignored the suggestion, and short of fighting a war to force the Squids on Earth to intercept their brethren, there was nothing to be done. So, it was good riddance to the departing Tschaaa, although the fact there were live human captives on board would always be a sore point.

  Free Allied Armed Forces became Earth Allied Armed Forces under a replacement for the almost worthless United Nations. It had been named Allied Species of Earth, or ASE (pronounced “ace” like the playing card). Allied Peoples of Earth, “APE” had been suggested, but since humans were often called “monkeys” that was rejected. The organization was used both for disaster response as well as when necessary to deal militarily with a problem. The Guardian Angels established by cyborg, now Saint Andrew, to keep the peace between the Species, also monitored the combined species military actions. The “Banshees” had been the first unit to have Tschaaa in their ranks, in the form of female pilots. The United States Civilian Federal Law Enforcement Agency under Commissioner Miller also teamed volunteer Tschaaa up with humans to patrol the coastal waterways and out to the Twelve Mile Limit. These teams where to prevent illegal poaching of sea creatures as well as keep the Tschaaa and humans from “poaching” each other. Some large pieces of Sushi had appeared not long after the Great Compromise, and a few small boats were found adrift with blood on them. That was brought to a screeching halt.

  But of course, humans were their own worst enemies. That which changes remains the same. The Banshees became the initial Response Force to deal with the Warlords, religious fanatics, former narcotics traffickers who wanted to step into those areas no longer under Tschaaa control . Seeing armed women seemed to have an unusual effect on many, either making them more at ease or off balance, not sure if they wanted to fight a “girl”. Princess Akiko’s book would cover all that, especially the now famous rescue of General Reed’s family, thought dead but actually held captive by a Chechnya Muslim Warlord in the mountains near Sovetskoye. That was one the sections of the book draft that had made Aleks cry. They lost some sisters there, never to be forgotten.

  The only real problems from the Tschaaa involved members of the Wizard’s Crèche, who never forgot the fact that humans had been the ones who killed him, Andrew being from human stock, nor the Lords who “turned”. There were some conflicts, but the remaining Tschaaa Lords, under the ministries of Cassandra, helped keep them to a minimum.

  For about two years after the Great Compromise, there were still substantial recovery problems as peoples and countries tried to set themselves up in their traditional areas. The Nordic countries had been the least Harvested or Infested, so they bounced back within weeks when the Tschaaa threat was no more. Those areas hardest hit were areas where the people of color had resided. Feral survivors, once they realized they would not be eaten, came out of forests, jungles and caves to rebuild and reassert their cultures. Africa was a complete basket case, followed by the South West Pacific Areas and parts of India. Harvesting had gone on almost uncontrolled in these areas for the some seven years from the first rock strike. Africans who survived had done so in jungles, such as in the former Congo area. Only in South Africa did some whites set up a small Cattle Country under the auspices of the African Lord. Now, Pretoria, South Africa was a City State, run by the surviving whites. As with those involved in guarding Cattle Country, most were pardoned for their roles in the harvesting. Only hard core Krakens were held accountable for their crimes, and fed to the Squids.

  The rest of Africa had been turned into one huge wildlife park, the native species staging a major comeback now that humans were out of the way. Some surviving peoples of black African descent went to Africa to help their cousins recover. More than twenty years later, people of color were still only a tenth of their original numbers in Africa. Even after harvesting stopped, thousands died from disease and lack of food.

  Because of the depravations, a ‘Special Representative for People of Color’ was made at the Allied Species of Earth organization meetings. The first elected representative was Malcolm Carter. Though disliked by some for killing Sergeant Jefferson, he was revered by many for his role in the Dark Meat Revolt of Atlanta. So, he moved to Africa, and represented people of color from there. Bollywood Red followed him, and eventually they were married.

  Things change, but remain the same.

  At the time of the signing of the Great Compromise, it was believed there were some two billion humans scattered about the Earth. Exact numbers were unavailable, as by that time, other than “fresh meat” for special events and, of course, to help feed the young, no one really kept track of the human population. The exception were the people in Cattle Country. Humanity was down from the original near eight billion, thanks to Harvesting, breakdown of services, Feral predation, starvation, and disease. Director Lloyd’s success in getting power and other services back on line and letting people outside the Tschaaa controlled areas to “hack in” to them probably saved millions. Eventually, someone would write the whole story about the good he had done. Madam President, Sandra Paul, had his remains buried on some family land she owned in Alaska. This had started a complete shitstorm, as some wanted his body drawn and quartered.

  But then the President had shown, once again, her Spine of Steel, stating, “In the end, he sacrificed himself to make amends for things he had done which made the situation worse. In doing so, he prevented the Wizard from causing more wholesale destruction, not to mention his preventing Krakens from killing more innocents. So, he stays with me and mine. Don’t like it, tough. Private property.”

  Then her eyes had gone steely. “Woe to anyone who disturbs the burial plots on my land. If I catch you, I will kill you.”

  There was still some grumbling, but the deed was done. Next Andrew had stepped in. As they brought on line twelve new Guardians each year, one for each of the twelve months, their first official act was to stand sentry duty at the burial site for a month. Andrew said it would help them to contemplate their role in the great scheme of things, as well as instill patience. It worked.

  Over the years, other famous beings would be buried there, including Madam President before her time.

  A half a year after the rescue of his wife and sons, General Reed asked to retire, and a grateful world allowed it. He and his wife traveled to Moscow to look for any surviving relatives, and for Mrs. Reed to be the U.S. Ambassador to Russia. She was a heroine, having saved herself and her sons until she could be rescued. A daughter of Russia, though a U.S. Citizen, she was greeted with open arms. General John Reed was soon teaching at the reconstituted University of Moscow, primarily on how Russia, Japan and the U.S. managed to forge an alliance when one was needed. When Tschaaa began to show up for the classes, everyone knew the relation between the species could only improve.

  Six months after the Reeds moving to Moscow, Sandra Paul reported she had a form of virulent cancer. By then, Tschaaa biological science was being incorporated into human medicine with astounding effects. The President was told nanotechnology and other Tschaaa fueled advances would insure her survival. Worst case, if they lacked the time to grow her a replacement body, she could be a cyborg. She said no.

  There were screams and protests of outrage. She had become like a mother to the Nation, and it was assumed she would always be there. Madam President stood in front of the world and told them the reasons for her decision.

  “It is time for me to join my beloved husband in the hereafter. And to see my other son and daughter. I have no desire to live forever. I need to go peacefully into the good night, not to rage against the ending of the light. I have done my duty. Now, I chose my fate.”

  She lasted a year, finished her memoirs, said her goodbyes. Russian President Alina Federov was there as she died, holding her hand while the President’s daughter held the other. To almost the very end, Alina had tried to talk her dear friend into using the Tschaaa advanced medical aid. She refused.

  “It is time, my dear friend Alina. I ask
you please, help watch over my now huge extended family, but especially my daughter and grandchildren.”

  “Of course, Sal. Without question.” She had bent over and kissed her friends forehead.

  “You are the Steel in all of us. Without you, we would not have survived.”

  “I did what had to be done, Alina. No more. No less. Now, let me get some sleep. I’m very tired again.”

  Two days later she passed. George Williams was beside himself, the huge man being unable to speak. So Alina Federov stepped out to address the public and press, daughter remaining with her Mother.

  “We have lost our Great Mother today. For she was the mother of all this, the re-growth, nay a rebirth, of humankind. She is now with her loved ones who have passed, as she wished. So, honor her memory, her wishes. For she will always be near, will always be providing some steel in our collective spines. Now, a moment of silence, for the greatest person I have ever known.”

  Every time Torbin thought of this, he teared up. For she had become a mother to them all, even as she was forced to send them into harm’s way. Andrew had flown the President’s body up to its final resting place, with Aleks, Abigail, Brynhildr and George Williams as an Honor Guard. As per her request, the graveside ceremony was simple, just her daughter, grandchildren, Princess Akiko representing Free Japan and Alina Federov representing Russia. The Princess slipped an unfinished blade of katana steel into her coffin. “She will mold and shape it in the Hereafter, as she helped to mold and shape us.”

  Now, the land Sandra Paul had made a cemetery was molded into a new Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Park, as per her final wishes. Within weeks, Sgt. Fuzz’s remains were moved next to the President, to be at her side for eternity. “You always need a dog around, otherwise it’s not heaven,” Abigail had said as she reinterred her ‘best buddy’. Others from the new Greatest Generation would follow.