“Before their mutual gravity can pull them back together, we will capture and differentiate the materials, and form them into many spherical moon sized pods, held within stasis fields to maintain their molten state for metals and silicates. We will also collect gaseous clumps, and all will be towed ahead or behind in their present orbital plane, to form a relatively short-term stable ring of “beads” within the plane of the planetary system.
“The habitat shells, when their basic construction is finished, will be moved to orbit in a polar path around the star, flown there by their own tachyon powered Normal Space drives. We will gently readjust them over time to keep them in that orbit, as final finishing work is accomplished on them.”
“How long does it take to produce enough plates to assemble a basic habitat shell?”
“This was never done by our ancestors, but we estimate that an empty habitat shell can be formed in about four hundred orbits after we have all the tool ships we need, with several shells being assembled in a staggered and sequential fashion, but being constructed continuously and simultaneously. The full process, to use all the material available in this system, will likely require at least a thousand Earth years to complete, but parts of shells could become habitable in select living sections, under domes initially, in four hundred eighty orbits.”
Mirikami was a bit disappointed. “Four hundred eighty years? I’d hoped it would be sooner.”
“Friend Tet, you are confusing our terms of orbits and years of two different planetary systems. Your species standard year is one orbit of Earth around your sun. Your sun is much larger and hotter that the Excelsior star, and Earth’s orbit is therefore wider, to fall within the habitable zone. Here, we could artificially maintain our own habitability temperatures of the outside of our shells at any orbit, but we have selected an orbit that is habitable without a great amount of energy supplementation. That is an orbit where an Excelsior year on a single shell will be nearly fourteen of your standard days. Our habitats will be much closer to this cool small star, and their individual rotations can be adjusted for the preferred day-night cycle of the occupants. It is only the local year we select for you, of roughly two weeks. That is the four hundred eighty orbits we estimate.”
Taken aback, Mirikami did a quick mental calculation. “Then four hundred eighty Excelsior orbits is close to six thousand seven hundred twenty Earth days. That’s just over eighteen years before move-in-day.”
“Friend Tet, there will be many more orbits to complete the transformation of the entire shell surface into a living world. Having a self-sustaining and recycling atmosphere, forming, and laying down a fertile soil composition from materials stored in orbital pods, filling oceans, and rivers, establishing a full biosphere, placing recycling machinery on the inside for keeping the outside pristine, and the orbits to achieve a thriving and balanced ecology. That could take a hundred years or more, and require innumerable adjustments.”
Mirikami imitated an Olt’kitapi chitter of a laugh. “Friend Frithda, Kobani have indefinite life spans. We have the time.”
“Are you saying that humanity will wish to possess a habitat in the Excelsior system?”
“I am certain there will certainly be many humans that will what that, if you invite them. If we can set local gravity to suit a Kobani body, and transplant Koban flora, then some Kobani would wish to come. There may be humans that reject our Kobani modifications, but if invited to build a world suited for normal humans from scratch, there will be takers. Humans have been modifying worlds they found to suit our needs for over five hundred years, and the first settlers did not live to see the work finished. Not all will want such a controlled life, but some will. Are they welcome?”
“Yes. All species will be welcome, if they come peacefully. We would welcome Kobani, because we know you can keep the peace on what may become tens of thousands of neighboring habitats, of many thousands of species. We believe your stated good intentions, and trust the Jing|!| and Silha to monitor a star system where so many species might live together. A place like Excelsior can advance more different species closer to eventual elevation, who can join with them long before the Universe has spread to become so empty.”
Maggi, being diplomatic asked, “Is it acceptable for us to record the breakup of the planet when you start?”
“Yes. Documenting the proper use of gravity control to enhance various species ability to live and work together, rather than for destruction, is advantageous. There is so much room for all of us, that it is pointless and wasteful to fight for territory.”
“You are an older species than humanity, and I think you were always more peaceful. Us younger species still like to discover and explore the unknown, and face up to the bullies of the Universe, and defend those that can’t protect themselves. When we leave here this week, we intend to visit the squabbling factions within the former Empire. We are not planning any conquests, but if the stronger dominate species become too violent and domineering with the peoples they will try to rule, we may have something to say about that. We will accept new members to the Galactic Federation, if that proves to be practical and feasible, on a case by case situation.”
Showing his insight into the real reason for her request, and a grasp of the psychology of this young and brash species, Frithda said, “The recording of a planet being broken apart could appear quite intimidating, particularly to species that haven’t learned even the fundamentals of gravity control.”
Tet grinned, “We can’t use our technology that way, even if we knew how, and not after we do learn how.”
“I suppose, friend Tet, the ignorance of some Empire species about why that is true, doesn’t need to be explained to them before they learn how to peacefully cooperate with other races.” Frithda ended with a chitter.
****
A mixed fleet of five hundred unstealthed Mark II’s, clanships, and Scouts, suddenly appeared far above High City, on Tantor. A broadcast started with, “Former Force Commander Gimtal Thond, this is Captain Mirikami of the Federation. We know the Thandol High Command sent you home. We are here for a peaceful discussion, not to fight. In fact, I believe you owe us a debt of gratitude.” It was nearly ten minutes before there was a reply.
It was Thond’s voice. “Captain Mirikami, you have damaged our fleet multiple times, and our ground forces at one meeting, and injured our pride when your team visited here while I was absent. Why do we owe you any thanks?”
“Because as promised, the Thandol fleet has been weakened by us, and now what remains of it is too preoccupied to worry about you, or their other former two Security forces. Note that I said former Security forces. I assume you will want to take advantage of your freedom.”
Thond proved he was aware of distant events. “We know you led three combined fleets to attack Wendal, and that much of the Thandol fleet was recalled there to intercept you. You must have also been weakened in that battle. Our remote observers say the Thandol fleet suddenly withdrew, with a tachyon trace heading towards the central core of the original Thandol colonies, and their home world.
“After that, three thousand reserve ships that had moved to a point just inside our Sector departed, which we were watching closely in the event they turned on us. We know they went to Wendal. In what way was the Thandol weakened, if they still have two or three massive fleets?”
“Thond, there was also a three thousand ship reserve in Sector three, and it joined with the reserves from your sector. Both of those are still at Wendal. The main fleet was barely larger than those two reserve components when it departed Wendal.”
“That sounds like a lie. Why would the reserves go to Wendal if the main fleet fled from there? They would all gather to protect the Emperor.”
“The reserves did exactly that. They are still protecting Farlol the 84th on Wendal.”
“Then why did the main fleet leave?”
“To obey and protect a new Emperor.”
“Your lies grow more improbable. A new Empe
ror always kills his predecessor. The new Emperor would have evacuated with the main fleet, and with the reserves, leaving the old Emperor and his court dead on Wendal.”
“Then why did the reserves go to Wendal, and stay if there was no Emperor there? Besides, I saw and spoke to Farlol the 84th on Wendal, after the main fleet left and before the reserves arrived.”
“Then you would have left him dead on Wendal.”
“Why would I do that?”
“What? Should I accept that ridiculous claim? That you would leave the defenseless current Emperor alive, after he sent fleets to attack your worlds and kill your people?”
“I did do that. Why else do you think the reserve ships went to Wendal, after we departed? Farlol called those loyal forces to him, when they realized he still lived.”
“Why would you have left him alive? Please explain that.”
“To start a civil war with High Commander Trindal, who left with the main fleet, and by now will surely have declared himself the new Emperor, with some impressive family name and number.”
“The High Commander, if what you say is true, would become Emperor Delthab Trindal the 21st, of the Trindal noble line. What treacherous mind could conceive of such a bizarre plot to split the throne, and understand the Thandol well enough to make it happen?”
Maggi, monitoring the link, interjected. “Why thank you Force Commander Thond. It indeed was the result of a treacherous plot of mine. Although, I did not know that my planted false rumors of a coup, and the intestinal parasites my mate and I gave to Farlol, via his personal sugar spear browsing plots, would lead to this exact result.”
Thond paused a moment to consider, then said. “The Krall’tapi named Deldra was right about you. On Tanner’s World, at our truce meeting, he told Commander Hitok that you were dangerous, that he would never pit himself against you in a fight. We thought he meant physically, even though you are so small. He surely meant your devious mind.”
Mirikami laughed aloud, to give his wife a reason to hesitate before making an incendiary, distinctly non-diplomatic reply. “Thond, she definitely can kick any Krall’tapi’s ass, and probably that of any Ragnar she met in unarmed combat. But there is no doubt that her mind is the most dangerous weapon in her arsenal.” Some of her friends would have said her tongue and wit, but not where the Tiger Lady could hear.
Thond, never a diplomat, was blunt in his manner, and suspicious. “Why are you here now, with five hundred ships? You proposed that we join you and revolt against the Thandol if their fleets were weakened militarily. We did not join with you, and our involvement appears to be unnecessary now, because they have withdrawn from all but part of Security sector two, where all the worlds they have settled reside. I doubt if the Finth, after the beating you gave their fleet, are strong enough to revolt against either of the Thandol factions in their Sector. Even if the Thandol are indeed split in a pending civil war, either one of the two individual factions sound as if they are strong enough to defeat them in an attack.”
“I’m sure you know that if either Thandol faction engaged in such attacks on the Finth, or on you for that matter, they could not escape unscathed, thus weakening them in their ability to oppose the other political faction. The Empire’s former security forces have a once in twenty-thousand-years opportunity to exercise independence. To remain free of Thandol dominance forever.
“The Federation, and Planetary Union, without the cooperation of any of the Empire’s Security forces, have made this possible. We not only did not have your overt cooperation, we experienced attacks from all three of the Security forces, leading up to this state of affairs.
“Accordingly, our promise to support any of you if you joined with us is now void. We have no obligation to come to your aid if you are attacked by the Thandol, and certainly not if attacked by one of the other former security forces. What we do feel obligated to do, is to ensure none of the security forces wage war on any of the previously subservient species. We intend to furnish them all with long-range instantaneous communications with us, to notify us if they are attacked. We will trade with them, buy their goods, and sell them the technology to build their own T-cubed ships, to improve their ability to trade with other worlds.
“You can also trade with them, and now you can colonize other uninhabited and unclaimed worlds, but so can they. If they want to ally with you and pay taxes to you for defending them from other species, that is their choice. If there are disputes between you, we may be asked to intercede as mediators, with no prejudice for either side’s claim.
“If war breaks out against any of the former subservient species, and if any of the security forces, or the Thandol, are the perpetrators, then the Federation will intercede. I can’t speak for the Planetary Union, but they have said they are also interested in finding trading partners in the Empire, and might decide to protect their business interests.”
“Mirikami, even your combined forces were smaller than the Thandol fleet at Wendal. If you confront us, I don't think you can be certain the PU will join you. They have not always done so, even when it was one of their worlds being attacked.” He was apparently referring to the Federation’s solo defense of Tanner’s World when the Ragnar tried to invade.
“We don’t always need them, because the Federation has a technological advantage the PU does not possess. We have achieved control of long-range gravitational effects, as the Thandol discovered to their detriment at Wendal, when we used black holes to destroy ships. We used another method to selectively destroy most of their ships equipped with Decoherence launchers. Our gravity technology uses the unlimited energy of Tachyon Space to employ this control. Believe me, it is possible to use that technology on a scale you do not want to experience. Humanity experienced this in two inhabited systems in our fight with the Krall, who had stolen a technology that they did not understand.
“As a demonstration of what that technology can do, I have just started transmitting a recording to you, using frequencies we learned were public communications channels on our last visit. This data is in a format you can easily view.”
“Are you threatening us?”
“Are you attacking us?” He let the obvious implication sink in.
“We would prefer to establish a peaceful relationship with the Ragnar, and eventually conduct trade with you. However, there are technologies we will not share with anyone. In your case, you have used borrowed Thandol technology to suppress your neighbors, who were limited in their ability to defend themselves. We Kobani are now immune to Debilitater radiation, but other species can’t easily acquire that protection. That is a cruel weapon, and we will not tolerate it being used on helpless civilian populations. We will promptly respond to its use, against whoever employs it, wherever it happens.”
“What do you think you are? The galactic protectors?”
“We can’t defend every species everywhere in the Milky Way. Although, it isn’t a bad thing to aspire to do. Some of my people want to do exactly that, although being a police force is not for everyone.”
“Presumptuous people, aren’t you?”
“We’ve heard that often, and the answer is yes! Get over it.”
“Why did you bring so many ships for this pleasant visit? They are not enough to intimidate us, you know.”
“I initially faced the entire Thandol main fleet with only four hundred thirty-nine ships, for a significant time, and that small group destroyed thousands of their ships, including the remainder of their Crushers, before our other two fleet elements joined with us. If you had remote observers as you claimed, then you already know that, so don't pretend you are unaware. Sheer numbers are not the only measure of strength. Haven’t you learned that yet after facing us?”
“They are lessons we are assimilating. We will not make the same mistakes again.”
“And we will save our new surprises for when you think you have learned those first lessons. We brought enough strength to force you to listen long enough, if you proved i
ntractable. You are smarter than the Finth, and more reasonable.
“We will visit the Finth next, and then the Thack Delos. We are not certain if their home world, Dolbor Gen Delos, has recovered fully from our harshest lesson yet, but we sent only ten Scouts there. We ravaged the entire planet, and their power grid, with a rash of solar flares. They may still be analyzing the profit margins of negotiating with us in bad faith when we return.”
“You used solar radiation against them? Radiation is their favored weapon against others. They live with that their entire lives.”
“Yes, we know. But they have never experienced the intensity of solar flares we sent at them, which we made certain penetrated past their planetary magnetic field. We fried their electrical power grids over most of the planet. I think they will be inclined to listen to us this time, to avoid a repeat of that poor negotiation. The Finth are another matter. I haven’t decided how to approach them.”
“They are sensitive, excessively proud, and arrogant.”
“Yes. Completely unlike you Ragnar.” The sarcasm was wasted, of course.
“Indeed.”
“Well Thond, it’s now time for us to depart, leaving you humble philosophers to pursue those deep and introspective thoughts we’ve provided for you. We will be watching you.”
Somehow, this visit made him feel like a junior version of The Silha monitor.
****
The three drones, broadcasting on three different powerful signals, overrode the governmental public broadcasting of three popular Finth programs. At least two of them were popular. One was important, but dull and bureaucratic.
Koban: When Empires Collide Page 45