by Ben Winston
She smiled at him. "The Medical Corps sent me down to assist with the recruiting and processing of the Lewis-McChord personnel. When this mission came up, I was the only one available at the moment, so here I am."
"Well, I'm glad you're here. We'll remain on station until the shuttle is ready to depart and escort you back to Lewis-McChord," Greg replied.
"Understood and appreciated, Commander. Shuttle Rapier out," the woman replied.
"Greg, those weapons can attack anything in this hemisphere. Any plane or low-earth satellite is at risk. More and more I am becoming of the opinion that base needs to be shut down as soon as we can do it," Bella replied. "Perhaps just taking the weapons installations out would help for now."
"I agree that the Cabal base poses a massive threat, sweetheart. But it wouldn't do any good to just attack the weapons systems. Hell, they've only been there a week or so, and look how quickly they got these built!" Greg replied. "No, when we hit that base, we're going to have shut it down all at once, or not at all. For that, we're going to need Marines and more aircraft capable doing the job."
"What do you mean, Greg? You're not planning on putting normal pilots in hypersleds are you?" Jolene asked.
"No, Jolly," Bella replied. "He's referring to the special project a few of the fixers have been working on. A sublight, trans-atmospheric fighter craft. Our bigger ships will have to have fighters; there are a few of them on the design boards as we speak."
"The Greynus will be converting that huge ore processing facility on the moon over to a fighter production plant as soon as the big mobile mining bases are brought on-line," Greg replied. "Which should be in about a month. The first military shipyard will be fully operational by the end of the week, and the civilian yard will be finished a week to two weeks later."
"These ass-holes can do a lot of damage in a month Greg," Jolene replied.
"I know Babe, but we don't have a choice; we can only build things so fast," Greg replied.
"I wonder how the Cabal is doing it?" Bella asked.
"That isn't all that hard to answer," Greg replied. "They are using forced labor and their stuff is on a much smaller scale for now. If we were building only the stuff we would need for this planet, we'd have finished up a while ago."
"The Doc's here, so I'm gonna drop out for now," Bella said.
"Okay, we'll see you at the base, sweetheart," Greg replied as Jolene did the same.
"Greg, what if that Drellian agent reports back on what we are doing here? He has to have seen all the construction projects and our preparations," Jolene asked.
"Abraxis is blocking all the standard Drellian comm channels using his own comm units in the sector. However, we still have no idea how the Drellians found out about Mandi even before we did. If he does report back, we could be in trouble. Then again, we have to weigh that against the fact that it's going to take the Drellians another year and a half to gather the forces to wipe us out."
"Ranger Alert!" Abraxis interrupted. "Cabal forces are attacking the Vandenberg Research facility. We have an urgent request for assistance by the head of research there."
"Damn! Don't these guys ever sleep?" Greg asked. "Abraxis, scramble all Rangers. Have what Marines we have suit-up and get down here as quickly as possible. I'll want Jarad to lead them."
"Ranger Pilot Pursia of Harclen is at Struve Rim for upgrades to her sled, she is combat capable, do you want her to join you as a pilot?" Abraxis asked.
"As long as she understands we are going to have to hurt people this time; the Cabal is forcing our hand," Greg replied. "We are sworn to protect these people, so it would be understandable if she chooses not to respond."
"The Cabal has joined with the Drellians, Commander. That makes them our enemies," Pursia replied. "I will be joining you shortly."
"What are our engagement instructions, Greg?" Jarad asked.
"The safety of the people on that base is our priority. Full stealth approach, weapons hot. Unless they surrender, destroy the attackers," Greg replied.
"Greg, there are two engineering teams coming down as well. They have a shield generator for Lewis-McChord as well as Vandenberg. I was told that more generators are being built for installation at all of our other allied bases," Jarad replied.
"As long as they understand this is not going to be a nice place to be; people will be shooting at them," Greg explained.
"I tried to explain that to the Queen, but she is very insistent. The crew is mostly Greynus; Eight Drones and a minor Queen to give them orders. They'll have a squad of Marines for protection," Jarad said.
Greg shook his head. "Let's just hope our allied troops don't attack them too!"
"She is aware of the possibility, Greg. She is willing to take that risk in order to save as many of them as possible," Jarad explained. "I think she'll be coming down even if we told her not too. She even countered my gravity differential arguments."
"Okay, someone should try to get hold of the troops down there and warn them that the Greynus will be arriving to install a shield generator," Greg said. "We should probably let them know we are responding as well."
"I'll handle it, Greg, you worry about the air battle," Jarad replied. "Good Luck, and your mother and I are both proud of you."
On his scanner, Greg saw Pursia drop into formation with him and Jolene. "Thanks, Dad, good luck to all of us."
"Ranger team beta reporting in, Commander," Ranger Fighter Joyce said. "We're hypersonic and will be on station in two minutes."
"Welcome to the party, Joyce. Come in cloaked and hot. Accept surrender but we cannot let them take that base," Greg replied.
"Understood Commander," Joyce replied. "We'll be coming in from the north."
"Team alpha's on the east," Greg acknowledged. "We have targets, all craft; Tally-Ho!"
After the battle at Vandenberg, it began to become obvious to Greg that the Cabal was fighting a war of attrition. They intended to wear the Alliance forces down to the point they wouldn't be effective in battle. The only problem was; it was working.
By the end of the week, the only Ranger that didn't have dark bags under their eye's was Bella and she had been in the medical center for the first three days recovering from shoulder trauma. The current situation could not continue. Greg knew it, and so did the Council.
The soldiers from Earth were getting trained and they had started to take some of the burdens off the Rangers, but their numbers were still very low. There was also a large influx of civilian volunteers from all over the world, but those folks required a lot more training before they could fight.
The Ranger Fixers from all the races got together and designed a trans-atmospheric fighter craft that could be used by non-ranger pilots. The new fighter did not have the performance profile of a hyper sled, but it should be pretty good at defending ships and surface facilities. Amanda had labeled the craft the FX-91 Spectre. The design incorporated many of the hyper sled's systems but was larger, and slightly slower, but actually more heavily armed and armored. So far, the initial tests looked very promising.
The transit points that Delion's Fixer designed, and Mandi was helping with, were coming along. The Greynus assigned a hive cluster to the project to build the experimental units, The Onarians added a computer systems design 'pod', and the other, minor races offered as many people as would be needed to help the project along. Four large units were being built, two in Earth space, and one each at Harclen and the other at Onaris. If the issues could be worked out of the system, every populated system in the Alliance would be getting an installation.
Mandi was starting to feel the strain of too many projects and started looking for an assistant as well as people she could hand some of the projects off too. As the Rangers got more and more tired, they started taking more and more damage. She was afraid that one of them was going to get seriously hurt if the current situation was allowed to continue.
In the little amount of spare time she got in the evenings, she had begun to ref
ine a design idea she'd had for a combat drone that could be remotely piloted to help take some of the load off her friends.
The people of Earth were aware of the problems the Rangers were having because TDI still broadcast everything that happened on the moon and even at the Alliance meetings. That created another issue that concerned Greg and the Rangers. It was brought to Greg's attention by Prince Edward of England.
"Good Morning, Commander. I hope I am not disturbing your rest?" Prince Edward asked.
Greg chuckled. "Don't worry Your Highness, once this is over I'm going to sleep for a week! What can we do for you?"
"Well, I do not believe there is much that can be done about the situation, so I at the least wished to let you know about it. You see, as the whole world is watching you and is aware of your actions, they are getting more and more upset. I have received several reports of civil unrest from many countries," Prince Edward reported.
"Civil unrest? What for? Have we done something wrong?" Greg asked confused and trying to remember if they had made a mistake.
"Not that I'm aware of, Commander. You see, the people are not upset with you, or us at all; they are angered more and more by the actions of the Cabal. In many places, Militia groups are beginning to form in an attempt to help you by attempting to defend their communities from Cabalist forces so you will not have too. They are aware of that you are getting tired by the constant and continuous attacks. They are planning on taking action in order to ease the strain on you and your people.
"We have tried to discourage this as those people have no armor and only standard Earth weapons such as hunting rifles, or standard issue military rifles. They are not causing trouble, rather they are being very helpful in organizing their communities, and building shelters and defensive positions. With help from the Alliance, we have been working to deliver emergency supplies to the larger communities. However, we have started to receive requests for better weapons and armor. The people are ready to revolt against Cabal rule, and they are asking for your support in doing so." The British Prince smiled. "I'm afraid your own words are returning to haunt you, Commander."
"My own words?" Greg asked, confused.
The Prince nodded. "I do not remember the exact wording, but it was something like, 'If you are unhappy with your current leadership, it is up to you to change it, we cannot do it for you.' The slogan for most of these militia groups is 'Make the Change'."
"An armed rebellion is not what I meant by that. They are going to get themselves killed," Greg replied, and sighing and put his head in his hands.
"With respect, Commander, I think you are failing to see the magnitude of what is happening here. We're talking about millions of people in hundreds of countries. My own government has been taught this lesson; if you do not have the support of the people, you will not remain in power. The Cabal definitely does not have that support; you do," the Prince replied.
"I'm going to need a lot of advice on this one. Would you mind retelling this in the Council, Highness?" Greg asked.
"Commander, when it's just the two of us, please call me Edward; I get enough of the titles from the court. No, I wouldn't mind, in fact, I expected you to request that very thing," Edward replied.
Greg nodded. "Then you should call me Greg, Edward. Okay, I'll get a call into Carl and see if we can get in to see the Alliance Council. Thanks for telling me."
When Greg sent the request for a few moments of the council's time, he was immediately granted permission. Greg left his office to attend in person, but the Prince was still on Earth and would have to attend via the holographic interface.
Most of the council did not immediately see the significance of the people's actions, or what it could mean. Greg called on several of the now allied Generals and Admirals from Earth to testify on the issue. However, one of the Chinese Generals believed that using some of the already trained soldiers from Earth to go out to these groups and attempt to train them in how to survive this new battlefield, arming and armoring the people might not be that bad of an idea. The people wanted to take a more active role in their own defense and it was becoming more obvious every day that the Rangers needed all the help they could get. This would be an ideal way to get it.
The suggestion was a good one, but the only problem was that they would have to devote half of the existing force to training the population. Just as the decision to proceed was made, Abraxis interrupted the meeting with a live broadcast from CNN headquarters in Atlanta Georgia, in the United States.
A two-dimensional image of the CNN commentator took form in the council chamber. "…a live report from Jessica Mathews in Nevada, Jessica? Can are you there?"
"Yes I am Brent, we are told the President of the United States will be addressing us shortly. Earlier today, we heard a rumor that the administration will be relocating the Capitol here as it is more easily defended against seditionist forces within the United States. Although we have seen several massive construction projects started out here, we have yet to confirm if one of them is going to be the new United States Capitol building.
"We can see the press secretary is now approaching the podium, the president should be here shortly," Ms. Mathews replied.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, as is usual, please hold your questions until after the announcements are finished. We will also be issuing written instructions as to the new protocols for press conferences immediately after this meeting. Failure to comply with those protocols will result in exclusion from future press events." He paused and smiled broadly. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press and of the world, it is my distinct and very great honor to introduce to you, your newly elected Emperor of the Free Terran Republic, Emperor Daniel the First." The man stepped back and to the side before bowing deeply at the waist. The press corp was so shocked at the announcement that no one had time to react. Before the former United States President stepped up to the podium wearing an almost gaudy gold and the purple robe.
"As We have taken you by surprise today, We will forgive your rudeness. Be seated as We have several proclamations to make." The man paused while the assembled reporters took their chairs. When they were all seated, he continued. "Obviously, We are not the former President of the United States. However, rest assured he is still an important part of our new Empire, as are all the former leaders of our world with the exception of those that have joined with the enemies of peace and order.
"A new era is beginning for the human race; an era in which we will be gaining the stars and more freedom to chose our destinies than ever before. Our new administration does away with political nationalism and instead embraces our fellow humans under one unified government. Nationalities now have no more significance than as a means of explaining one's heritage. Under our administration, we will have no more wars between ourselves, but must, as a people, join together to defend ourselves, our families and our way of life against alien forces that would covertly seek to undermine our unification in order to gain control of us. To that end, all the leaders of the world have agreed to form our Empire. As a former Australian Businessman, We were determined to be the most politically neutral person to assume the throne of this Empire. We were honored to be called to such an office.
"The new planetary capital will be located here, in Nevada. Due to security measures, those would enter or depart this region will be required to have credentials issued by our security office. Unlawfully entering or departing this region will have a most severe penalty.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, our new empire is currently facing the most grievous threat; some of the former National militaries have chosen to oppose our new Empire and side with the Aliens that are trying to take power for themselves. Make no mistake, these aliens are trying to subvert us and our way of life. The are not seeking allies against the supposed Drellian Empire; they are looking for slaves to do all the work and to fight for them.
"The Drellian Empire was destroyed over ten thousand years ago! It is a boogie man these supposedly 'n
ice' aliens are using as a pretense to gain your trust! It simply doesn't exist anymore, and that is the truth. We must band together and push these aliens off our world while we still have the ability to do so. The human 'rangers' led by Greg Albright have been mentally 'adjusted' by an old remnant of that long ago war. The so-called Alliance is using that against us.
"We have established a base here in Nevada and we are ordering all former military personnel, of all nations, to report here for reequipping and retraining in the new equipment. Plans are in the works to establish other bases all over the planet so our loyal forces can also be resupplied. As this is an emergency, We are proclaiming a mandatory service obligation for all young people to begin at the age of sixteen that will last until their twenty-second birthday. We need you to take our world back; service will guarantee certain benefits once you have completed the obligation.
"Our loyal subjects, there are many more changes that are being made in this realignment of our society, but We assure you, they are necessary in order to ensure our continued freedom and way of life. A copy of all the changes will be released immediately after this conference concludes."
Carl shook his head. "Abraxis, please shut that down, but record the rest of the event so we can look at it later." He paused. "Considering who is helping them, I suppose it would follow that they are trying to create an Empire."
"So it would seem," the Harclen Ambassador replied. "The question now is, what are we going to do about it?"
"Well, a military solution is not very realistic at this point ," Greg offered. "We simply don't have the people yet to really oppose them."
"Is that not what we were discussing when Abraxis brought that news item to our attention?" one of the other ambassadors asked. "Perhaps we need to continue that discussion?"
Since there was a general consensus to that, Carl took it upon himself to summarize the earlier discussions. "Prince Edward brought news to us that many of the people of Earth would like to take a more active role in their own defense. We have heard testimony from several military commanders from Earth supporting the suggestion. Abraxis has also verified that, from the posts and emails received from our websites, there is an overwhelming agreement from the people supporting this suggestion. General Chou of the People's Republican Army also suggested that many of their existing soldiers be sent out to train the population in weapons and tactics. No decision had been reached before the news item was brought to our attention."