An Empire is Born (Maraukian War Book 3)

by Michael Chatfield

  People moved out of her way as they all focused on her.

  “James, how are we looking for the mining situation?” She got to the main console, taking command of the room in a moment.

  “Ma’am, we have different prospectors out from the Yard surveying and looking for a good plot to set up,” James reported.

  “Going to take too long to survey the entire system. Pick the closest area with the highest density of materials that we need and get started on it. I am told that we will be getting some help on the mining side of things in the near future. I’m forwarding you our initial plan to build a stage-by-stage refinery situation. Right now, we’re relying on our miners, but the aim is to have multiple miners, not only ours but other people. They mine out everything, bring it to a refinery and sorting station that they can also buy supplies from. And then from there, they’re transported by freighter back to the Yard or where they’re needed. I want your mining heads to go over the plans for the refinery station. We pulled plans from Osdal. Don’t finalize anything yet as we will probably have those experts ready for you in about a month or so,” Esamai said.

  “Yes, ma’am. Question,” James said.

  “Shoot.”

  “As we don’t have the stations now, could we supplement them for freighters? The freighters take out supplies that the miners need, gather all the material and ship it back, leaving the miners to return to the belts and mine.”

  “Good plan. Coordinate with shipping to see if they can make it so.” Esamai looked to Natalie, who coordinated the freighters and shipping in-system.

  Natalie gave her a nod and shared a look with James.

  Going out and mining everything themselves would be a logistical pain in the ass. If they instead owned the refining stations, then they could process the materials as they wanted there, then ship them back to the fabbers in the yard and build as they needed. It would be much faster than having the miners mine everything, then carry it back to the yard and then get it refined. The yard was already crowded; with the new plan, some of the refinery facilities could be detached and used as the basis for the refinery stations.

  Esamai’s gaze fell on the yard management, who perked up as they sensed her eyes on them.

  “Here are the reassignments.” Esamai sent a package to them. When she had been laid up in bed, she hadn’t been just relaxing. She’d put her NIAI to good use and organized the yard.

  “From now on, we will be aiming for eighty percent military manufacturing and twenty percent civilian needs. I have broken down tasks according to need. Also, the crews are going to need retraining and to get NIAIs! Everyone who is part of the yard will be getting one.

  “We will be working in five teams. Team one will be managing and building new fabbers. Team two, you will be building, testing, and teaching troopers how to use the new Defender Armor, E14, and repulsor weapon systems.

  “Team three, you will be in charge of making Gorgon tanks and artillery packs. Both will use the same acceleration tubes.

  “Team four, you’re on fighter vessels. I’m looking at upgrade and refit for the combat shuttles and a production line of the new rapid support drones. Team leaders and teams have been already set up and are listed in the briefing. If you want to move people between teams, check with the other team leader and the personnel in question.

  “Team five, you will be working on the three large-scale freighters left in the yard, managing the container assembly line, NIAI production line, and outer-system freighters’ docks. I aim to have level-three fabbers moved to assist you in increasing building time for the freighters and other large vessels.

  “All teams, if you have the cycles or can work it into your fabbers, work to create more fabber parts. I don’t want those machines to stop for anything. Team one makes sure that you collect all parts so that it’s not added to the other team’s payload.

  “Davin, you’re in charge of the Skill Schools, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Davin said.

  “Right. You’ve got the new locations all selected?”

  “That’s right, ma’am.”

  “Instead of having to build the whole facility by ourselves, each new student will be given a NIAI and part of their training will be to help in building the new Skill Schools. We might as well give them some practical experience! I want you to get with Linda from hydroponics. We’re in need of food so I want to add farming to the Skill School’s rota.

  “The cities are locations where people could grow things—best to put them to work. For money, we will be turning to the platinum system completely,” Esamai said.

  She knew that the problem with money and getting paid would come up, so she intended to stop it before it even became an issue.

  The Victor Corporation, across all of its different parts, had taken up the practice of using platinum to pay their people. Platinum was based on actual platinum that was held by the Victor Corporation banking system, which was separate from the Victor Corporation management. It was run by computer software. People could change their platinum for EHC credits if they wanted to, and it was a simple process. Now that they were cut off from the EHC and credits didn’t seem to have much value, the platinum system had become a saving grace.

  The different people agreed as Esamai could feel some of the tension in the room draining away. No one wanted to work for free.

  “The Victor Corporation won’t be making many goods that people will want to buy on the consumer side, but I am told with the upcoming trade routes there should be plenty of goods coming from other systems that are part of the EMF. Also, one can trade with the people on Tricticus if they wish.” Esamai looked around the room.

  “Natalie, I have a new work rota for the inter-system freighters as well as work orders. For now, they won’t have much to do. If the ships aren’t being used, I want them to be moored at the Yard or the station to supply power and render help to the people at those locations. Coordinate with team five for outfitting the vessels with Alcubierre drives. If we can get the trade agreements, then those inter-system freighters will quickly turn into outer-system capable ones.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Natalie acknowledged.

  The Victor Corporation made the largest shipping vessels in all the EHC and the Union. Their inter-system freighters were what most of the EHC companies had as mid-sized long-range freighters that moved between systems.

  “Teams three and four, as the plans for your different projects have not been confirmed at this time, you will assemble orbital cannons to defend the Yard, the Ark, and the station. Teams one and two will support you, and any person you have free, I want to help out in creating orbital cannons. If the Maraukians, Union, or EHC come at us, it is Mark Victor’s intention to give them a big thank-you. This is our system and the Victor Corporation will defend it.” Esamai’s words weren’t to be contested. Silence fell over the room as they all felt that their world had changed.

  “We’ve all got work to do! Let’s get to it! Team five, I want those NIAI factories up and running as soon as possible!”

  The silent command center turned into a hive of activity as everyone moved to complete their new tasks.

  Esamai looked at it all as Tyler started to move in his sling, waking up with a cute frown on his face. Esamai wiped away the spit as she rubbed his cheek. The fifth team leader moved over to her to discuss plans even as Esamai comforted the waking Tyler.

  She might be a mother, but she had a job to do for his future and to keep his father safe.

  Chapter Five

  The Yard

  Ark Orbit, Emarl System

  8/3555

  With Moretti now able to leave the running of the Yard to Esamai, he had some tasks to catch up on. It took him a couple of days to work through them. He’d been closely monitoring the transfer rate of people and supplies and finally he was able to return to just the intelligence and listening in.

  Hael’s eldest son, Cronus, had spent a lot of time off and on the Yard, givi
ng him constant updates. Moretti wasn’t sure whether he liked the young man or not yet.

  Cronus and Hael stood with him to watch as work was carried on, on the freighters.

  “At this rate,” Moretti said to Cronus, “we’ll need more personnel working for us than we have.”

  “All senior officers can be promoted. They can, in turn, help train and recruit.”

  “You already have people in mind for key tasks, don’t you?”

  Hael nodded. “This is expanding much quicker than any of us anticipated and I think it will continue to do so.”

  Moretti stared at the young man. “The Skill School will be up and running soon. I think that’s a good move.”

  “I like that.”

  Moretti thought more and more about the package Nerva had sent him, alongside the instructions to start preparations for his closest retired colleagues to make their move. The fact of the matter was they needed to move on that now, just as much as organize the materials gathering.

  Moretti turned away from Cronus slightly and sighed. Off on another adventure once more. The idea of getting off the stationary Yard excited him. “I need to leave you to work closer with Esamai, while I take a trip to manage something else.”

  Moretti led them back toward his office. There Cronus left him to work through some other bits of paperwork with Esamai. Hael waited for Moretti to take a seat and then he followed his example.

  “You never said why you were leaving,” Hael said. “I’d like you to take Cronus with you, have him on comms duty, anything.”

  Moretti shifted slightly to eye the high king. He looked desperate. Moretti knew the body language. “Why do you want me to take him with me?”

  “There are warriors who pick up a sword, and then there are people like you, who fight some of the hardest battles behind the scenes.”

  Moretti knew this; he did fight some of the hardest battles.

  Hael pushed a file across their internal systems. Moretti opened it and read.

  “Where did this come from?” It was a death threat for both his sons.

  “They’ve always been there, ever since Ava became a merger. But it’s the frequency that has me worried. Julieus can mostly look after himself. But Cronus, no—he wanders around circles I’d sooner he didn’t.”

  Moretti knew that already. The contact information he’d given to him was really good, but it was dangerous.

  “It’s the politics that’s always drawn him in,” Hael said. “Julieus is the fighter. Cronus likes to go into a room knowing they are determined to get a million credits, to walk out only giving them half.”

  Moretti laughed. “Reminds me of myself at a much younger age.”

  Hael held his gaze. “You and Mark have all of my respect, for what you’ve done in the universe. Cronus needs someone else I trust to watch out for him, but also for him to learn from.”

  Moretti thought about this for a while. His trusted circle of people was on the low scale, most of them in the EMF. But having someone’s son tag along—he didn’t know whether it would work. “I’ve never kept anyone around for long. Do you think he’ll be safer with me, the places and people I am going to?”

  Hael swallowed and sweat visibly appeared on his brow. Reaching into his tunic, he pulled out a chain. Moretti looked at the chain. On it was a little symbol of an animal. “This is a lynaux. They’re native to Tricticus.”

  Moretti stared at the predator-like creature.

  Hael carried on. “The lynaux is usually a lone animal, bar one other.” Hael’s eyes met with his. “No, not a mate—a sibling.”

  Easing back slightly, Moretti let the high king explain more.

  “Usually they’re born at similar times, not twins but almost. They’re kicked out of their pride as soon as possible, and there they must form their own or they won’t survive. Together they’re stronger. The necklace is one half.”

  Now Moretti was even more confused.

  “Ava gave this to me, asked me to protect him because she couldn’t. She might be able to replicate the necklace, but this is the real deal. I can’t protect him here on Tricticus anymore. But him being with you would mean those who do want to kill him can’t.”

  Moretti pulled up a file quickly and studied it on his computer. Everything he had learned about the two sons was in here. Cronus was skilled in many things. He could use him how he wanted to for this trip.

  “I’ll take him with me. But I can’t guarantee his safety.”

  Hael nodded and slipped the pendant back inside his clothes. “I fully understand that. I think he’ll be an asset to you, if you’ll let him.”

  Hael rose from his seat and took hold of Moretti’s hand firmly. “I’ll send him a message and get him to report directly to you now.”

  “All right. If you want to see him before you leave, now would be the time. I don’t know when I’ll be departing.”

  Hael nodded, and left him to his thoughts.

  Moretti weighed on his decision to take Cronus with him and away from his family for quite some time.

  The sheer amount of inside knowledge and dirt he had on almost every head or lead in the known universe was enough that most would just sell it off to the highest bidder. He had better ideas, bigger plans and hope for his species and his friends—unlike some of the horrendous people he’d encountered over the years.

  Politics came with many faces, mostly greedy ones. They were easy to play off one another because of that, but Moretti played on them well. With the right handling, even the greediest man could be swayed to do something he hadn’t thought of. That was Moretti’s game: to make the big decisions come to play, but also to let the leads think they were the ones who made them. When in all honesty, without him… He shook his head. The galaxy would be a much sadder place.

  Chapter Six

  SLS Moby

  Indalia Orbit, Otarvi System

  9/3555

  Charles had been working around the clock ever since he had become a merger. He realized how obnoxious his actions were once he had talked to Mark and connected to the others through the net. He couldn’t merge, but he was able to understand their feelings.

  They were angry with him, not because he had become a merger, but because he had done it without any thought of asking them. He had felt that it was better for him to become one and would be naturally accepted.

  He also realized that if he had just asked, they would have helped him. This hurt more than anything. If he had just been more patient, there wouldn’t have been a problem. It had been a big emotional blow to Charles, who admired these men and women.

  The only way he knew how to use this frustration was to work. So, without needing sleep or as much food, he had spent his days working through the different systems of the Moby. He had been looking to improve the supply delivery systems for the mergers, upgrades to the drop-ships and the combat shuttles, changes to the troopers’ weapons and armor.

  He had come up with a plan to upgrade all of the troopers’ gear with the aid of his engineering team, as well as a refit plan to bring them what he was calling Defender Armor. He went through the feedback he’d received from Captain Yu and his crew, as well as the information he had been leaked by Thomas McDougall, the Bellona tank commander, and Legatus Pullo.

  He was working on tweaking the design for the Alcubierre drive for the Victor Corporation freighters when he felt Dodger approaching him.

  The net was an odd thing. It allowed people to merge with one another in small or large groups; it acted like a sixth sense, allowing one to find out where other mergers were and who they were.

  It was also their access to greater information.

  Charles was allowed to access more information but he was denied merging. This was like cutting off his limbs, but Charles accepted and understood it. If the mergers never allowed him to merge, he wouldn’t blame them, but he still hoped one day he would be able to.

  His brain was sped up because of becoming a merger, so the few
minutes felt like hours to him before Dodger walked into the engineering area.

  The people in the room quieted down as they saw Dodger. His large size and athletic build commanded people’s attention.

  “Come with me.” Dodger used the net to talk to Charles. He turned and moved to one of the meeting rooms. People watched him as Charles quickly followed.

  Charles was nervous. Even though he could stop his hands from sweating, the unconscious habit of wringing his hands didn’t stop.

  Dodger stood at the front of the meeting room, looking at the screen that displayed different projects.

  Charles stood there, waiting as the door closed behind him. He didn’t dare to say anything.

  Dodger picked up a marker and wrote something new on the board before putting it down with a sigh.

  Charles tensed up. That one sigh made Charles fall into guilt. It was worse than his father’s violent anger. Instead, there was disappointment in Dodger’s actions as he turned to face Charles.

  “You broke one of the biggest rules of the mergers. You became one of us, for personal gain, and tried to hide it from us for some time. By now you must understand that we linked the merger net to the information net that spans all of the Roma Union and Earth and Her Colonies, acting as a watchdog for anyone who tries to become a merger. It was only because we were in battle and we had already given you most of the information on being a merger that when you accessed it, alarms didn’t go off. You betrayed the trust that we placed in you and is now the reason we’re monitoring everything that you and the engineering people did. We removed sections of information that would help one to become a merger. From the outside, it looks like it’s the complete method to merge, but once someone does it, they would be caught in a coma that only we can let them out of.” Dodger’s words were official and curt as he stared at the fidgeting Charles.

  He had been able to see these things and noticed how there was a program made to watch him constantly.

  “We have looked into the information on merging more and it has made us come up with a lot more security measures in case someone becomes a merger without our okay. This technology, in the wrong hands, could lead to the end of humanity instead of its salvation. If only you had asked, there would have been no need for all of this. There are a lot of us who are annoyed with you, but we know that while you did it without much forethought, you didn’t do it for malicious reasons. For this, we are willing to give you another chance. You will be allowed to merge and we will allow you access to certain projects. But there will always be someone watching you and your projects. If you merge, then you are not allowed to involve others and recordings will be made of all you access. With time, our trust can be verified, but until that time this is all we can give you. Do you accept these terms?” Dodger asked.