by Martin Durst
‘Yes, I do,’ he replied. ‘I’m willing to help you with certain resources and information, but it’s important that anything you do doesn’t get traced back to me.’
‘That’s understandable.’
‘The targets will be boarding a capsule in route for Iceland in about two hours,’ he said nervously glancing side to side. ‘It’s been arranged that you’ll be the Stewardess. The pilot works for me so he won’t ask questions. We’ll re-route the targets to a different facility as planned. I need to know what we’re doing with them once we get them there.’
‘We put them to work,’ she replied. ‘We’ll have a full lab complement there, and they have advanced knowledge of biotechnology. We can use it to develop the bioweapon. Research from the Iceland facility will also need to be shared. This is why you are such an important asset to us.’
He hated this kind of stuff, but the offer was too good. At least he didn’t have to worry about hiding it from Megan.
‘Exactly how do you plan to cover up this kidnapping?’ he asked ‘This has global media all over it. As soon as they’re reported as missing, the U.N. will spare no effort in finding them.’
‘I’m going to kill them, Admiral.’ She smiled then added before he could object. ‘-But not really. The world will just think they died in a horrible accident.’
She stirred the soda that she’d ordered with her straw. She must have chipped her order. –Something that he hated doing. Somehow it just seemed impolite to the server.
‘-And what does Mr. Fisher think of all this?’ he probed. ‘As the Director of Biotech, I know he’s behind this venture. You can either be up front, or I’ll find out. Earth Fleet has considerable resources.’
She smiled and finally sipped her drink. ‘Admiral, Earth Fleet is a powerful organization, and you have considerable influence in your position; but I assure you, you don’t want to go there.’
He laughed at her threat. ‘You really think that corporate espionage crap scares me? One call from me and you’ll be trying to make bail.’ He flushed with anger. ‘So save your petty threats!’
‘Admiral, please. I’m not here to upset you. Biotech Corporation respects your willingness to partner with us. We’re on the same side. It’s just that we have our security needs as you have yours.’
She watched him visibly calm. She would have to be more careful. He needed convincing that he was doing the right thing. Changing tactics, she put on her best smile. ‘You are a career man. Men like you serve their whole lives swearing an oath to protect and defend. The U.N. may be overly cautious, but you know better, don’t you? You know that, if the Hiver’s attack again, we’re finished. Or, if we survive, a third attack will definitely finish us. A bioweapon is our only chance of survival.’
He studied her for a moment trying to decide if she was being sincere. Either way, she was right. That was exactly what he thought. It was their only chance. He’d work with her, but he’d made up his mind he was still going to have her checked out.
So what was Biotech’s interest? Why hinder U.N. researchers and seek the same goal? It didn’t take him long to see the answer. They wanted control. If Biotech was in possession of a working bioweapon, it meant a lucrative defense contract worth billions.
He lit a cigar and leaned back into his chair. ‘-Alright. We’re good. You just do what you said, make sure the money gets to my account, and I’ll handle the rest.’ He left before she could say anything further.
Brianna knew she had him. She smiled to herself and drained her drink. Military men were all the same: Put their ego in front of them, and they do whatever you say.
She chipped her payment and left. Fisher would be happy. –Nothing like having all the resources of Earth Fleet at your disposal.
The next morning, Admiral McConnel decided to walk to the U.N.C. for his fourteen hundred meeting with Secretary Sadim. It was a beautiful day and he needed time to think. It was only a mile from his office at Earth Fleet Command.
New York City had changed tremendously the past couple centuries. Long gone was the business district and towering skyscrapers of corporate offices. Now, more functional buildings were built half as tall and engineered to make full use of the environment. The inefficient square architectural designs of the past were long ago replaced with new steppe pyramid structures that supported entire ecosystems of plants, grasses, small animals, and trees on the exterior shelves. Water collectors recycled precipitation and filtered water within. The tallest building by design was now the U.N.C. since it was the head of Earth Government. The city had blossomed and expanded as the world’s governments built their administrative offices in the surrounding area. The city had evolved into an entire metropolitan dedicated to the functions of world government.
He loosened up his uniform collar. He was perspiring a little, and he didn’t want body odor to offend anyone at the meeting. He looked at his watch. He was twenty minutes ahead of schedule so he decided to rest on a shaded bench.
For the past few days, he’d reviewed Shu’kan technological specifications. It was remarkable –this FTL drive. It seemed to be the only benefit to them arriving. He’d make sure this capability was in human hands regardless of his plans. His primary concern now was saving humanity. His plan left no room for mistakes. In twenty-four hours, research would be underway to hopefully kill the Hiver’s.
He shifted to stretch his back. Age was catching up to him. –Never had this problem when he was twenty.
Directly in front of him was a large park area. The green grass stretched for at least a hundred yards before it met the walkway. The entire area was dotted with large oak trees. The small paved walkway wove itself around and through the trees. Several people were taking advantage of the beautiful day to spend time together. At the far right end of the park two large trees were lying on their side. At the same time, he noticed why. A rusty piece of a Hiver attack craft was lying on its side. The wreckage had cleared a path when it was shot down. It now served as a memorial in the park to those who fought bravely. –Score one for the home team. He wondered how many of his men had died to bring down that one craft. One day it would be our turn. The Hiver’s would pay, and it would be humanity delivering the hammer of revenge.
He did a time check. –Time to go. He set out still thinking of his plans and how he was going to keep them hidden from the Secretary. It wouldn’t be easy, but he’d figure it out.
Admiral McConnel sat in Secretary Sadim’s conference room. The rest of his walk had turned out to be pleasant enough. He’d even managed to keep his perspiration to a minimum. He gazed around the room. He’d been in here probably a hundred times, and every time he wanted to bring a decorator with him. The Secretary prided himself on being sparse. It was his way of setting a frugal example. It wasn’t as large as some of the briefing rooms at Earth Fleet, but it suited his personality. Above his chair at the head of the conference table hung an African Dusengani. It was hundreds of years old and was a gift from his father. Its base was made from a large calabash covered in cowhide with a long pole inserted through it. Eight strings ran the length of the pole which, presumably if strung, provided the instrumentation. The secretary described it use once, but admitted no one in his family knew how to play it. He personally was never impressed with it, but respected the man’s interests.
He rose from his chair and walked around impatiently. He was just about to look for a drink dispenser when he heard voices from the outside hallway. It was the Secretary at last.
‘Admiral,’ the Secretary exclaimed, ‘please, have a seat!’ He motioned to the chair at his right and followed suit. ‘Excuse me one second.’ He stared off noticeably accessing his chip. ‘There. I just sent a message for my assistant to bring some coffee. –Or do you want water?’
‘Coffee’s fine.’
‘Good, let’s get started.’
He laid a thin aluminum alloy colored case on the table. He pressed his thumb against the biometric reader and then chipped his c
ryptic code with a mental nudge. It popped open. He reached in and took out a dossier.
‘Here is the operational layout for our technological merger with the Shu’kan, and we just finished putting the last touches on a secure research facility just outside the University of Reykjavik. Two days ago, our best and brightest in genetic research arrived there to set up shop. From this point forward, you’ll be receiving weekly briefings like this one in a case identical to this by official courier. At a minimum, we’ll be meeting in person monthly.’
‘Why the old fashioned paper?’
‘This operation cannot fail,’ he replied. ‘-Too much is at stake. So, all secret information will be on hard copy only. Nothing will be transmitted through the Teranet. –Not even through secure military or diplomatic channels.’
A tray of coffee cups with a large pot of coffee suddenly appeared between them. His assistant began to pour each of them a cup.
‘Ah, thank you,’ the Secretary said with a wink.
She smiled warmly grateful that the Secretary appreciated her services.
‘Mr. Secretary, I’m sure I’ll have time to read through this when we’re through, but you could have sent this with a courier. -Why the face to face?’
‘You’re right. There are two items we need to discuss.’ He waited until his assistant was finished and gone from the room. ‘The Prime Minister wants to set up a separate research facility to develop this FTL drive system the Shu’kan have. It will have to be adapted to our technology. The good news is, they believe that Negrav will help simplify the process and even make it better than what they are using. –Something about applying it to the drives and shielding. Frankly, it’s a little above me. Anyway, the point being, Earth Fleets R&D department will be a perfect location for this.’
Admiral McConnel hid his excitement. This would work out perfectly. Earth Fleet was his baby. He could control the technology’s development and use it as leverage if necessary. He couldn’t have hoped for more.
‘Beside from overseeing the programs development,’ the Secretary continued, ‘I want you to add additional security using Earth Fleet’s ground forces. The entire operation will be managed under your command.’
‘So what’s the second item?’
‘We’ll need additional security arranged for our research facility at Reykjavik also,’ he replied. ‘I’d be even happier if you hand pick them. Its success is the utmost importance. Only soldiers that have level five security clearances.’
He was surprised by that request. Level five clearances could handle security to the U.N.C. level. It would be hard to find men that would suit his purposes.
‘-Understood. When would you like these decisions implemented?’
‘Immediately,’ he replied. ‘I’ll also expect full briefings from your staff once a week, courier only.’
Secretary Sadim rose to leave signaling the Admiral’s dismissal. He placed his hand on his shoulder. –His face deadly serious.
‘Everything depends on this Admiral. If we fail, both our races could go extinct. Every day that goes by is another day closer to the Hiver’s coming back. Our only chance is a bioweapon. After that, we can hopefully pound them into submission.’
He sipped his coffee while the Secretary gathered his things. He had to ask one question before he left.
‘Mr. Secretary, what if we’re too late? Shouldn’t we focus solely on the bioweapon? At least we’ll have a chance if they attack before we fully adapt the FTL.’
The Secretary moved to leave then stopped at the door. He looked back to answer.
‘We can’t put all our eggs in one basket, Admiral. Merging Negrav with FTL will give us equal footing with the Hiver’s. The bioweapon is a must, but tactical equality, maybe even superiority in FTL capability must also be pursued. A successful bioweapon is not guaranteed.’
He read through the dossier mechanically. He was going to have to be careful. The Secretary was no fool.
He got up to leave. Now he wished he’d brought his Negrav Pod. There was no time to lose.
Chapter Three
Tr’al leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It was so much more than she imagined. –And so warm! Her mother said it would be like nothing she had ever experienced. She was right!
Tr’al opened her eyes and looked around. The air smelled alien and refreshing at the same time. It was wonderful! She felt like she was floating. Everything was wide open and bright. She couldn’t wait to explore!
She looked down. She was standing on real ground! She put her hands in the grass; pausing a moment to let the pointed tips tickle her palms before gripping it fully. She could smell its rich organic scent. She rubbed her fingers through the soft blades admiring the texture. After fourteen cycles aboard a ship, they were finally on a planet! It was remarkable. She remembered the stories of the home world and how green and lush it was. She finally understood why her elders had longed to return.
She was born before the Hiver’s invaded but had little memory of the home world. The ship was all she’d ever known. But now, everything was going to be different!
Tr’al finally stood and finished looking around. The humans were giving them a generous portion of this tropical land to settle.
All five ships had landed in a large grass field. Hers was the first, but there were hundreds of Shu’kan walking and talking excitedly with more disembarking. Everyone was moving toward the settlement. Dozens of humans were scurrying all over building shelters and operating machinery. Everything seemed centered around a large structure at the center of the settlement. –A meeting place of sorts by the look of it. Everyone seemed to be headed there.
‘Tr’al, come on.’
She knew that voice. It was Li’el. He was her best friend. They’d been together since the Hiver’s. He wanted to be more than friends, but Tr’al was sure she didn’t. Though they were the same age, at times he was moody and sullen. –But a good friend nonetheless. Mother said he just needed to mature and that she may change her mind someday. Somehow, she doubted it. She couldn’t ask for a better friend though. She could trust him.
‘All right,’ she replied. ‘Let’s go look around.’
‘Not yet,’ he grinned, ‘we all are meeting in that large structure in the center.’
‘Okay,’ she sighed. ‘Let’s get this over with. But don’t think you getting out if exploring with me.’ She elbowed him in the ribs and took off running. He could hear her laughing as he set out to catch up.
Tr’al and Li’el entered the structure together. It was well lit and hundreds of Shu’kan were huddling together and talking or sitting in groups atop a terraced seating bench that rose upward.
‘They’re called bleachers. Or didn’t you read the pre-landing brief?’ Li’el was gloating over her with his arms crossed.
‘I read it,’ she lied.
Everyone was with their proper caste either standing in groups or on the bleachers. The Whites were all gathered around a group of humans having a lengthy discussion. As the ruling caste, they were in charge of organizing the settlement with the humans. The Red’s were all doing their best at providing security. As the warrior caste, they were permitted to carry weapons. Each of them had a sonic rifle slung over their shoulder. The Green’s quietly stood near the rear entrance not really knowing what to do. As the service caste, their function at the moment was needed little. A few of them took food and water provided by the humans to the other caste’s just to keep busy. The Blue’s were all seated on the bleachers going through technical data provided by the humans. Prior to landing, a new translation algorithm was used to convert mounds of data into the Shu’kan language. It’d been downloaded into several display pads and brought with them. As the science caste, the responsibility of saving the Shu’kan race weighed heavily on their shoulders. It was here that Shi’la should be. Just like her parents Shi’la excelled in the sciences. She was considered the brightest of their caste, and as her sister, it would be hard to measure up. Tr�
�al knew she wasn’t as smart as Shi’la, but to be a member of the science caste, she was expected to be competent. She would have to study twice as hard, that’s all. Still, she already missed Shi’la and wondered how her research was going. She looked at a human close to her. It was hard to imagine living with them. Some of them were so … pale.
‘C’mon,’ Li’el said. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the other side of the building. ‘There are some of the other younger’s over here.’
She was about to ask how he knew that when she saw the group of Brown’s huddled together looking nervous. All younger’s wore the appropriate brown clothing. Permission to wear a caste color was given after the Ceremony of Jek’tar. It was the caste test all Shu’kan endured. –And that wasn’t until she reached eighteen cycles. It was rare not to join your family caste or the caste of your choice; but if found incompetent, the council of elders could recommend that you join another caste.
At the center of the huddle was her friend To’nir.
‘Hello,’ Tr’al waved.
‘Hello,’ she replied. This is kind of different isn’t it?
‘Different?’
‘This is the first time you and I have seen each other in person. We’ve always talked through the ship-to-ship communication screens.’
Tr’al realized what she meant. They’d never actually met. –Not for real. No one moved between ships unless absolutely necessary. Here that didn’t matter.
Tr’al hugged To’nir and smiled. ‘It’s good to finally see each other for real. I bet everyone else is thinking the same thing.’
They both looked around in mutual agreement.
‘So, when’s the briefing start?’ Tr’al asked.
‘Whenever everyone gets off the ships and in here,’ Li’el replied. ‘It looks like we have just about everybody.’