Athena Lee Chronicles 8: Infiltration

by T S Paul

  “Sir, all ships are manned and ready for launch at your command.”

  Much the rest of the meeting was the same. Questions were asked and answers given. Every commander spoke his piece until it was the Zetas turn. “Zeta 666, what it your status?”

  The Zeta line was a mistake, a genetic anomaly. In a room filled with young, athletic looking Commanders, he stuck out like a black mark. Zeta 666 was easily identified by his hunched shoulders and permanently scowled face. He was a functioning psychotic that served as the information gathering specialist. He was the ship's torturer. “My people are ready to begin. Anyone that you provide will be drained of all information.”

  “Excellent. We are to be met at the Martian frontier by representatives from the Cabal. Once they have given their status and report, I want them taken below and drained of all information. If there are any sapes, get rid of them. Keep the Gen Mods, we are in need of a few deckhands.”

  Chapter 13

  “So what you are saying is that, that thing is intelligent?”

  Minerva just rolled her eyes at her father’s statement. “No father. What I am saying is that the CATT is an AI.”

  “Why does it look like a cat? Why not a drone or one of those RAMs your sister builds?”

  Minerva was losing any respect she had for her father every time he opened his mouth. “This robot was created by Athena’s AI Wilson. Its job is to seek out and destroy enemy communications. So far it has found what’s in those three buckets over over there.” She signaled her men and they poured the contents of the buckets out on the table. Thousands of listening and surveillance devices covered the table. “All of these came from inside the Capitol building.”

  Alexander poked at the bits of electronics in front of him. “Minerva some of these are older than I am. Where were these located?”

  “Sir, I can answer that. Merlin located the majority of the devices in and around government offices and inside the assembly room.”

  “Merlin? Who is Merlin?”

  “That is the name of the cat, father. I have ordered more CATT units to be built. I intend to use them to scour our cities and infrastructure looking for more bugs and hidden Cabal units. We don’t need another Sarah incident.”

  “Who is paying for all of this? Your position as head of Freedom station does not give you a discretionary spending budget. Something like this needs to be reviewed by the Council!”

  “Really Father? All you think about now is the bottom line and who is going to pay for our salvation. I paid for these robots with my own credits. I am beginning to think that Athena was right about you. Inform the Council that I will be cleaning up Freedom Station next. The safety of our world is at stake not politics.”

  __

  Hidden deep underground on the Imperial Capital Planet the Cabal’s leadership was moving. The great plan was finally coming to fruition after a hundred years of planning and plotting. Miguel 009 surveyed the master control room. His brothers and sisters were hard at work coordinating the takeover of the Imperial Senate and all capital cities key infrastructure points. Signals had already been sent to countless other colony worlds to begin operations. It was troubling that both Mars and Hong Kong had gone dark. The good news was that Johan 009 and his crew were already at the rendezvous point to meet with the ship from home. Home. Miguel longed to see his home again. It had been far too long since he and his brothers had walked upon the Earth.

  Miguel pressed a key on his command console. Large screens lit with news vid from across the planet. One report caught his eye, turning up the volume he heard. “Large forces of armed troops are moving into the city. We caught them coming around the corner from us. They seem to be taking control of Senate buildings and our fellow Vid broadcasters.” Sounds of gunfire could be heard along with an explosion. “Whoa! That was the security post for the Government center! Flames are now shooting into the sky. If you are on the streets, now would be a good time to get under cover. Our unit on the roof…” Footage began to play showing armored vehicles attacking government positions. “This may be our last transmission, unknown troops have entered the building and are…” More shots could be heard as the screen went blank. Miguel changed the channel and stepped away from his console.

  “Status report please.”

  “Sir, we are in control of most of the key government locations. One of our infiltration units slipped up and gave the wrong password touching off an attack by security forces. The broadcast center is on fire but we command the area now.”

  “Has the unit been reprimanded?” Mistakes were not acceptable.

  “Yes, Sir. The Warden team took care of it.”

  “Thank you John, good work. Make sure that everyone on the lists are rounded up. Judging by that report, have them start with the journalists.”

  “Yes, Sir. We have reports from New Reno of fighting on the station. Our units were not in as complete control there as they said they were. The assassination of the New Texas governor failed. Local troops have expelled our people there. Hong Kong has our embassy surrounded with armed troops and are not allowing anyone to exit.”

  “What of the Imperial fleet? Are we in control yet?”

  “Sir, we control around eighty percent at this time. Admiral Kane escaped with most of third fleet intact. Stray units have joined her.”

  “Damn it! She was on the hit list! Alert all of our agents, even the sleepers. I want her eliminated and the third fleet under our control! Do you understand me?” This was troubling. A rogue fleet could be dangerous.

  “Why was I not informed about this first?” He looked at the frightened faces around him. “Fix it! Put as many people on it as possible. We need control of the whole military for the takeover to be complete.”

  Chapter 14

  “Primus, I have news of the Earth ship.” Gaston was worried.

  “What is bothering you Gaston? I can take whatever news you have to give.”

  “A small ship slipped past our picket heading toward Earth space. The boundary stations allowed it passage through. It appears to be on a rendezvous course with the Earth ship.”

  Amalie looked at her aide. “So the Cabal makes a move early. Do we know anything about the small ship?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. It was assigned to one of the Imperial freighters in orbit. They left orbit and are attempting to leave the system.”

  “Have the patrol ships intercept and search it. What about our fleet, is it assembled?”

  “Yes, all of our ships responded to the return call and should be in position before the Earth ship arrives. Checkmate is in play and will be ready as well. We are picking up some unusual transmissions from the Imperials.”

  “How unusual?”

  “A civil war of some sort has touched off inside the borders of the Empire. The vid is filled with reports of armed troops taking over civil outposts and ousting government troops. The Imperial Navy is at war with themselves. We received a report of several fleets attacking each other.”

  “Coincidence maybe?”

  “No, Ma’am. There were several assassination attempts on governors at New Reno, New Texas, Ringo’s World, Chin, and New Madrid. All of those were defeated by local security except on New Reno. At last report, there was heavy fighting inside the habitat. Riots have broken out on many Imperial planets. Hong Kong has reported no internal issues but there is a private communication for you.”

  “Gaston, if this is the Cabal they are making a serious play for control of the Empire. Alert our Ambassador to keep his head down and prepare for evacuation. Please forward your report to Athena at her Embassy.” Amalie stared at the screens for a long time before getting back to work. What are you up to? Seeing the special communication from Hong Kong, Amalie braced herself. Alexander Lee was not one of her favorite people.

  “Greetings. You may not know me but I am your other great-granddaughter Minerva Lee.” Amalie paused the Vid and smiled. She would take this over that Ass-hat Alexander any day. “As my si
ster may have already mentioned I am the Commander of Freedom station and a Major in our Militia. Recently a friend of Athena’s left this in my care.”

  Amalie looked closely at the screen. Minerva held what looked to be a robotic cat in her arms. “This is Merlin, he is a Counterspy Anti Terror Termination unit or CATT for short. He along with several others I commissioned have discovered over twenty thousand surveillance devices on the planet so far. On the Station, they have found even more. As I send this, my teams are rounding up suspected Cabal members. We are finding them embedded in our very society like rats in the walls. Even now I am told of turmoil and strife within the Empire due to these rats. Included with this message are the plans for building a CATT. They need a personality to work but if Athena is there so is her friend. I hope to meet you one day. Take care of my sister.”

  Wilson must be the friend she was talking about. Only he would want a robot cat. “Gaston, connect me to the Hong Kong Embassy, I need to ask Athena something.”

  The Embassy was still in turmoil. It was hardened for an external attack but not an internal one. Most of the furnishings on the first floor would need to be replaced. For now Dar’s Marines cleared the room and installed a few random chairs. The new reception desk was still being built but the former Ambassador’s was brought down to fill in. The staff was still being investigated for treason. So far only three passed all the tests. It was a shame really that this had happened to the Embassy. It was a very nice building. The Phillips family did a good job keeping it up over the years.

  “Dar, thank the gods I’m home. I love my grandmother but the tension in that building is very hard to deal with.” I kicked off my shoes and plopped down onto the couch in our room. Dar was stripped down to shorts and a tank lifting weights. She continued to lift as I talked.

  “I received a report from her just as I walked in the door downstairs. It seems that the Cabal is attempting a takeover of the Empire.” Dar paused for a moment and looked in my direction. She then continued her set. “They attempted assassinations on a half dozen planets. New Reno is in disarray and there is open fighting amongst the fleet.”

  Dar set down the weights and dried herself with a towel. She stood and came over to me. Kneeling next to me she looked me in the eye. “I’m glad we are here. With that much going on, here you are protected.” I leaned over and gave her a big kiss. I was thinking of doing more than kissing her as my link chimed at me. Damn!

  Checking my link I saw a call incoming from grandmother. Oh well. Dar smiled at me and sauntered off toward the shower. She shed her clothing as she walked. “Tease!” I shouted after her. I put the call up on the screen.

  “Athena, sorry to bother you. I assume you have seen the reports of possible civil war in the Empire? Good. Your sister sent me a communication. She had one of these with her.” Amalie held up a picture of Wilson’s robot cat.

  “Yes, Wilson made that.”

  “I thought as much. Only he would make a robot cat. Did he tell you its abilities?”

  “It has abilities? This is the first I have heard it.”

  “Minerva supplied the company information sheet along with complete blueprints so we can build them. It’s a Counterspy Anti Terror Termination unit. Not just a cat.”

  That little devil. “Hold on a moment Amalie.”

  “Wilson! Get your little terrorist ass back here right frakking now! Wilson!”

  “No need to shout, I’m here.” One of these days we need to have a discussion about where he goes.

  “Look what Amalie has.”

  “It’s Merlin! How do you like my kitty?”

  “Is what she says true, is that thing some sort of anti-spy robot?”

  “Of course it is. I built them to sell to the planetary government. It’s the prototype model. Merlin or those like him will make perfect companions for the rich and famous. He likes to eat surveillance equipment.”

  “Didn’t you think that I should know about what it could do? We can use something like that here.”

  “Well, you weren’t very happy with me when I first built it…”

  “Forget about all that. Min sent the plans. If we make more will you give them life?”

  “Of course I will. Anything for you Athena.”

  “Grandmother did you find out any more information about the ship meeting with the Earth vessel?”

  “No, just that it was registered to an Imperial company.”

  “This is going to be bad isn’t it? Are we ready for a war with Earth?”

  “Child, I don’t know if the galaxy is ready. But Mars is. We have been preparing for a great many years.”

  Chapter 15

  “Status report!” Alpha 364 walked onto the bridge. His planning session was interrupted by the report of a ship closing with their position.

  “Sir, we have a small scout ship on an intercept course with us. It’s IFF shows it to be from Imperial Fleet twelve. Communications has picked up a private message addressed to the captain of the ship. It is in one of the early Program codes.”

  “That would be our contact then. Good. Have it brought aboard and placed under guard. Under no circumstances are the occupants to be allowed out of the hangar bay.” Alpha stared at the ship's plot. Imperial Fleet? These sapes have high expectations of grandeur. We shall have to disabuse them of that idea.

  The tractor beams on Colossus grabbed the scout ship as soon as it was in range. The bridge crew watched as the tiny ship was pulled into the hangar bay. The moment pressure was restored Delta shock troops in full armor emerged from hidden doors and surrounded the ship. “Unseal your door and prepare to be boarded.”

  Inside the scout ship Johann 009 heard the familiar lilt of Earth speech and smiled. These were his people. Now the real work would begin. Signaling his copilot Johann unsealed the ship. He smiled as the first troops came aboard and held out his hands in greeting. He received a rifle butt to the head for his trouble. Knocked unconscious he fell to the floor. He was not aware as his tiny crew was beaten down and tossed from the ship. Gamma line techs raced on board and began stripping the data banks of the ship. A sealed metallic case was found and scanned before being sent to the Alphas. Engineering techs opened access panels and began disassembling the ship in search of technological advances that could be harvested.

  Johann woke to find himself in restraints staring up at the ceiling. “Hey, let me out of here! I’m the representative from the Cabal.”

  “Ah, good. You’re awake.” The voice was sibilant and snakelike. A man came into view looking down at him. He was a hunchback with a twisted face and deep-set eyes. “My name is Zeta 666. You and I are going to discuss a few things. What is your name?”

  “I am Johann 009, former commander of the 153rd UN fighter wing. I am your contact with the Cabal.”

  “Excellent. You are from the first generation of Gen Mods. That is good. The Captain has been needing some of your breed. Now, what can you tell me of the Cabal? Who are its leaders and where is its base of operations?”

  “I can tell your Captain all of that. I brought documentation, it’s in a silver case on my ship.”

  “Yes, the case. We have that and have read what is inside of it. But tell me who are your leaders in the Cabal?”

  The questions went on for several hours. When Johann became belligerent, the pain began. Zeta’s were very good with pain. When the screams finally stopped, Johann was sent to the bridge to see the Captain.

  The bridge was silent as two Delta line guards dragged Johann onto the bridge and dumped him at the Alpha’s feet. The Gen Mod lay there bleeding from a cut on his brow. “What do you think of our pain amplifiers Gen Mod?”

  Johann lay gasping on the floor. He did not even realize that he was being spoken to until the Alpha kicked him in the stomach. “I asked you a question, Gen Mod. How do you like our pain amplifiers?”

  Johann gasped from the pain, his ribs felt cracked. “I like it just fine, Sir.”

  “Excellent. Zeta 6
66 prides himself on their effectiveness. Now how many of you Gen Mods are there in this Cabal of yours?”

  “The entire inner circle of thirteen and maybe another dozen on other worlds. And the children too.”

  “Children, Gen Mod? What children? Your line is sterile or so we have been told.”

  “There were a few hundred women in the Program. They were meant to be the leaders but not enough survived.”

  Alpha looked at his fellow Alpha and smiled. “That information was left out of our briefing. Interesting. How many of these children are like you Gen Mod? How many are stronger, faster, and have longer lives?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know, please don’t hurt me.” Zeta smiled at his captain. His work was done here and in record time too.