Doom Star: Book 06 - Star Fortress

by Vaughn Heppner

  “If you could give me some gesture,” Cassius was saying onscreen. “It would help me thwart Admiral Sulla’s position.”

  Hawthorne knew about Sulla. The Highborn was an Ultraist. Military Intelligence had learned about them. Ultraists spoke about purity to the Race and an elimination of the premen infestation. Ultraists worried about the possible seepage of the weak emotions of mercy, kindness and humility from too much contact with the premen, with normal men.

  “I thought Sulla was an officer aboard your ship,” Hawthorne said. He knew very well that Sulla had gained rank. He wanted to see how Cassius answered.

  Onscreen, Cassius stiffened. “He is Admiral Sulla to you. He is Highborn and worthy of the proper respect.”

  “Of course,” Hawthorne said.

  “Admiral Sulla has gained a following and managed to oust the previous commander of the Napoleon Bonaparte.”

  “I see,” Hawthorne said. That fit with his information. “What seems to be the problem then? Does Admiral Sulla not approve of our planned attack into the Neptune System?”

  Cassius stared at him.

  Hawthorne kept a poker face throughout the silence. Did the Grand Admiral know about the secret communication with Sulla? The new Highborn commander might be an Ultraist, but Sulla wanted the Grand Admiral’s chair more than purity to his theories—at least in the short term. According to reports, Sulla was concerned about Cassius. If was difficult and in most cases impossible for a Highborn to admit to fear. Apparently, concern was the most they could feel. Intelligence believed there was a power-struggle going on among the Highborn. Well, there was an intensification to the constant power-struggle. The Highborn lived like a pack of beasts, constantly jockeying for position.

  Hawthorne decided that Cassius knew about the communication with Sulla. It would be a foolish mistake to underestimate the Grand Admiral.

  “What sort of gesture are we talking about?” Hawthorne asked.

  “Perhaps you should return North American Sector to Highborn control,” Cassius said, his eyes oily dark.

  “I thought you and I had agreed to a freeze on territorial changes,” Hawthorne said. “The cyborgs would rejoice if we reopened hostilities against each other.”

  “Hmm,” Cassius said. “Admiral Sulla has rightly pointed out that you broke the original agreement, taking North American Sector during the planet-wreckers’ approach. By the terms of our initial truce, you must return North American Sector to us.”

  Hawthorne cleared his throat. This was a delicate topic. “Grand Admiral, I would like to speak frankly. Beginning in 2349 you bombarded Geneva and invaded—”

  “Supreme Commander, I am not interested in listening to objections that originate from preman moral philosophies. We attacked Social Unity because we are the stronger species and were in subjection to a lesser race. The situation was unnatural, as the only true imperative is survival of the fittest. The laws of Nature are immutable, particularity in this regard. We have stopped attacking because the cyborgs represent a unique threat to both of us. What use is our victory in Inner Planets if the cyborgs swallow us afterward? You originally thought to use the cyborgs against us and realized the error of your strategy only after they had turned on you. Now at last you have turned to us for aid. We both understand that it is in our combined interests to work together. This unity cannot function, however, if you will not abide by the agreed-upon terms.”

  “We did not take North American Sector from you,” Hawthorne said. “You abandoned Earth during the cyborg attack from Saturn, leaving the Free Earth Corps behind as garrison. Some of them claimed independence from you and later asked for admittance into Social Unity.”

  “You should have refused them.”

  “On what grounds?”

  “To keep the continued alliance with us,” Cassius said.

  “But if you willingly abandon territory—”

  Onscreen, Cassius leaned near. “Enough! I am simply relating to you Admiral Sulla’s argument. I understand your logic. Because I do, there is a different way for you to redeem yourself with me.”

  “Grand Admiral?”

  “The Ultraists represent a grave threat to premen—excuse me, to humanity’s continued existence. In your thinking, why trade one threat for a similar threat several years down the corridors of time?”

  “It is true I dislike Ultraist creed,” Hawthorne said. “But the cyborg menace represents an immediate—”

  “I dislike Admiral Sulla as he is a thorn in my side.” Cassius showed his teeth in what he might have thought was a smile. “You and I have certain similarities, Supreme Commander. Our fellow soldiers waste time and effort attempting to pull us from power. Tell me, haven’t you faced coup attempts against your authority?”

  “I have,” Hawthorne admitted, wondering where Cassius was taking this.

  “Be assured there are similar attempts among the Highborn against me. In that regard, Admiral Sulla represents a problem to our alliance. By protocol and custom, however, there are only several avenues I am allowed to react concerning his objections. In other words, I could use your help.”

  Hawthorne raised his eyebrows. This was unprecedented: the Grand Admiral asking for human help. Despite the Highborn’s arrogant way of talking, this gave Hawthorne hope. He had an ongoing debate with Security Specialist Cone. He believed Highborn could feel gratitude. Cone said the super-soldiers thought of humans as dogs. One could not feel gratitude toward a dog. Hawthorne disagreed. As food continued to disappear from the stores, many people had found it difficult butchering their dogs for the table, having a deep sense of loyalty toward the animals. If he helped Cassius now, the Grand Admiral would likely feel honor-bound to him later.

  “We have several common enemies,” the Grand Admiral was saying. “The first are the cyborgs. We are banding together with you to destroy them before they can convert us into abominations. The second is Admiral Sulla and his Ultraists. I do not fear him or them, although I know humans view their competitors in that light. The admiral’s sin is that he weakens our united attempt to destroy the cyborgs. That is why I am asking you to help me send a message to the Ultraists.”

  “How can I do this?”

  “The first way would be by ceding North American Sector to us.” Onscreen, Cassius held up a hand. “You have already admitted your reluctance and probably your inability to making such a gesture. I understand. It is good for you to realize that my understanding is unique among Highborn. The reason is that I am unique in my ability to think along premen lines. It is one of my strengths.”

  Hawthorne nodded, impressed once again with a Highborn’s innate arrogance. Sometimes he wondered how two million hyper-ambitious super-soldiers could agree to do anything together. They would never be able to survive their victory—if they could achieve it. A Solar System filled with Highborn was inconceivable. They would war against each other long before that happened. It would be constant civil war.

  “There is a second way?” Hawthorne asked.

  “There are two other ways. I choose the easier option because I am considering your limited capabilities. Simply stated, I ask you to meet with me as we discuss strategy together.”

  “We are meeting together,” Hawthorne said.

  “I am talking about a face-to-face meeting, a physical greeting between you and me. This will surprise you, but I have long wanted to speak with you, Supreme Commander. You have waged war relentlessly against a superior foe—us—and shown great tenacity in—”

  “How would such a meeting help you against Admiral Sulla?”

  Cassius scowled. No Highborn liked being interrupted. Hawthorne had done it on purpose to test the Grand Admiral’s resolve.

  With his right hand, Cassius wiped away the scowl. “Our meeting will show the Ultraists that I consider premen—excuse me. That I consider humans as worthy allies.”

  “Before I could agree,” Hawthorne said, “I would need to speak with my people about this.”

  �
�Time is our enemy.”

  “I’m afraid your proposal will create a stir of distrust among my councilors. I will need to mollify the distrust.”

  Cassius sat back, showing surprise. “I offer this gesture in order to heighten trust among us. We are soon to begin the fateful journey, heading for the Neptune System. Our two fleets must learn to act as one. How can we achieve this unless the two supreme leaders act in concert?”

  “We lack unity of command, I agree with you there,” Hawthorne said.

  Cassius’s eyes narrowed. Then he showed his teeth in another predatory smile. “You have rare genius, Supreme Commander.”

  Hawthorne nodded, deciding he didn’t like such praise from a Highborn.

  “Hmm,” Cassius said, “this distrust you mentioned, how could I help you dampen it?”

  “I can think of several ways,” Hawthorne said. “Firstly, I would have to bring a security detail.”

  “Security against Highborn?” Cassius asked, attempting a rare jest.

  “We would ask you to bring a correspondingly smaller team.”

  “Done.”

  Hawthorne became thoughtful. The Grand Admiral was trying to be appealing. What lay behind it?

  “I would like to meet soon,” Cassius said.

  “I understand. You still have not said where.”

  “In Low Earth Orbit, on a station in sight of your Eurasian beams and my Doom Star.”

  Hawthorne drummed his fingers on the desk. The idea of meeting Cassius face-to-face… “Let me talk with my councilors.”

  “I would appreciate an answer in three hours.”

  “I’m sure it will not take us long to decide. I am curious about one thing, however. How will a meeting between us help you versus Admiral Sulla and the Ultraists?”

  “Ah,” Cassius said. “That is one of the subjects you and I must speak of alone.”

  Hawthorne’s heart rate quickened. “I understand. I will call the meeting at once.”

  “Excellent. I await your reply.”

  -2-

  At 4:11 PM, a meeting began on Level Three of New Baghdad. It was held in the Supreme Commander’s quarters. Director Juba-Ryder of Egyptian Sector joined Security Specialist Cone and Force-Leader Marten Kluge, the Jovian Representative.

  ***

  From the Supreme Commander’s biocomp transcriptions, File #13:

  HAWTHORNE: That’s the situation. Now Cassius wants to meet me face-to-face in Low Earth Orbit. I would like your thoughts or observations concerning his proposal.

  CONE: I don’t like it, sir. Why does Cassius need to speak to you alone? He has an ulterior motive.

  JUBA-RYDER: His motive is clear. He wishes the Supreme Commander’s help in removing Sulla from command.

  CONE: I don’t believe that.

  JUBA-RYDER: Motives are not always complex or devious, Security Specialist. The Highborn are soldiers—

  CONE: They are genetic racists first and foremost.

  JUBA-RYDER: What bearing does their racism have on the situation? Sulla impedes the Grand Admiral. For that reason, Cassius wishes the commander’s removal. We can help him. Therefore, Cassius attempts to use us. That sounds like perfect Highborn reasoning to me.

  CONE: I’ll tell you my objection. The Highborn don’t know how to treat us as equals.

  JUBA-RYDER: Again, I must ask: What does that have to do—?

  CONE: Your logic implies that Cassius sees us as equals, or near-equals. That is contrary to everything we know about the Highborn. That being so, I question the Highborn’s motives.

  HAWTHORNE: You’re awfully quiet, Force-Leader Kluge. You’ve had more direct experience with the Highborn than any of us. Do you think Cassius needs our help eliminating Sulla?

  MARTEN: There’s only one way to speak with a Highborn—with a gun aimed at his belly. The minute the cyborgs are dead, the Highborn will turn on us.

  HAWTHORNE: How does that relate with Cassius’s proposal?

  MARTEN: She’s right. (Points his thumb at Cone.) To them we’re animals to collar, geld, experiment on or insert in missiles as a biological weapon. They’re only a little better than the cyborgs because you can revolt against Highborn more easily.

  JUBA-RYDER: It is impossible to revolt once a person is altered into a cyborg.

  MARTEN: Osadar Di would disagree with you.

  HAWTHORNE: If I understand your point, Force-Leader, you don’t think I should meet with Cassius.

  MARTEN: (Shakes his head). The Highborn don’t know how to work with people. You can ask the Martians what they think about the super-soldiers. Before the Third Battle for Mars, Planetary Union personnel worked with Highborn. They learned to hate them to the same degree they hated Political Harmony Corps. The best way to deal with Highborn is from a distance as we did during the Cyborg Assault in the Jupiter System.

  JUBA-RYDER: I cannot agree. A principle of cooperation is learning by experience about the other. The more you know from personal contact, the closer you become to that person or people group. This is a priceless opportunity to learn more about the Grand Admiral.

  MARTEN: You weren’t listening. The more contact you have with some people—like Highborn—the more you hate them. Too much contact with the Highborn will make us forget the cyborgs until it is too late.

  JUBA-RYDER: That is an extremely negative view.

  MARTEN: (Laughs sourly).

  JUBA-RYDER: Did I say something humorous?

  MARTEN: My negative view has kept me alive in more than one situation.

  HAWTHORNE: To say your biography is remarkable is an understatement. And I accept your premise, Force-Leader. Yet these are tragic times that demand the unusual from all of us. Admiral Sulla and the Ultraists represent a grave threat to humanity. If Cassius will help us eliminate the Ultraist position among the Highborn—

  MARTEN: The Grand Admiral will not do anything for our good, at least not willingly.

  HAWTHORNE: I understand.

  MARTEN: Supreme Commander, I distrust Cassius’s motives because I do not know what they are. You should take as a given that he works counter to your position unless you have a concrete reason to believe otherwise. Even then, I wouldn’t trust him.

  JUBA-RYDER: No, I cannot accept such thinking. My proof is that he already helps us. Cassius desires the elimination of the cyborgs as much as we do. He acts in concert with us and thereby wishes a strong Social Unity, at least for now. Your advice is born from your fear of the Grand Admiral. He has personally threatened you. Oh yes, we know all about that transmission. There are many things we know about you, Force-Leader.

  HAWTHORNE: That’s enough, Director. Marten Kluge is here by my invitation.

  JUBA-RYDER: He was a Free Earth Corps soldier once, a traitor to Social Unity. I’ve been studying his file, including Hall Leader Reports concerning his profile. The man doesn’t have the first idea about loyalty. Wherever he goes, he brings disunion and death.

  HAWTHORNE: These past years we have all done things that we’re not proud of. Now we find ourselves allies against a hopeless future. The critical fact concerning Marten Kluge is that he has slain both Highborn and cyborgs. I applaud such deadliness and desire his advice concerning our common enemies.

  JUBA-RYDER: I’m afraid that I don’t know how to trust a traitor.

  HAWTHORNE: Your language is too strong. Curb it at once.

  JUBA-RYDER: I am at your orders, sir. But I wonder, has the Force-Leader taken a new oath yet to Social Unity?

  HAWTHORNE: He is here as a representative of the Jovians. No oath is needed.

  JUBA-RYDER: Has he at least denounced his former actions against Social Unity? He was a hero of the Japan Campaign, winning Highborn medals for murdering our soldiers. If he sits here with you, sir, I think the least he could do was foreswear his former actions and awards in Japan.

  HAWTHORNE: We have not spoken about such things. There has been no time.

  JUBA-RYDER: (to Marten) Do you denounce your FEC affiliation and
awards?

  MARTEN: Do you denounce sending people to the slime pits or allowing some to enter punishment tubes where they drowned to death because they failed to pump fast enough?

  HAWTHORNE: Please, let there be peace among us. (Looking at Juba-Ryder.) I appreciate your zeal for Social Unity. You are to be commended for it and you are a true guide to the masses. However, at this time there is no reason to stir up old memories. We are attempting to save humanity from annihilation. Nothing else matters. If we must work hand-in-hand with murdering Highborn to defeat the cyborgs, I will do it.

  JUBA-RYDER: I am at your orders, sir. You are the guiding hand of Social Unity and no one else could do as you’ve done these past years. Some have questioned your zeal, but they were wrong to do so. I know your heart, and it beats strongly, pumping true socialist blood. As for the Grand Admiral, I would like to speak in his defense for a moment. Despite what has been said here concerning Highborn, we should remember that Cassius agreed to work with us against the planet-wreckers. Without his actions and those of other Highborn, human life on Earth would be extinct. We must never forget that. And logically, what Cassius and the Highborn have done once, surely, we can expect them to do again.

  CONE: I agree with much of what you say, particularly that without the Highborn, Earth would be a dead planet.

  MARTEN: If the Highborn had never attacked you, Social Unity would have possessed enough warships to destroy the planet-wreckers on their own.

  CONE: Hypotheticals don’t interest me. The Highborn saved human life by their assault on the planet-wreckers. They might help save humanity by attacking the cyborgs in the Neptune System.

  JUBA-RYDER: You agree with me then that the Supreme Commander should meet with Cassius?

  CONE: (Shakes her head). Cassius’s motives may have changed since the planet-wreckers a year ago. In fact, I believe they have changed.