A Deep Sleep (Valhalla Book 1)

by Tyler Totten

  Qiang was shaken out of his own thoughts by the ground car’s arrival at the logistics HQ building. The large number of transport shuttles precluded a short hop shuttle. As Qiang exited, he couldn’t help but notice how much quieter the terminal seemed to be. There were so few shuttles airborne that he could actually tell the difference between various shuttle engines.

  He briskly walked up the steps and into the building, the Marine guard snapping to attention as he approached. A second guard, clearly the older of the two, checked his ID and scanned his implanted ID chip before also saluting and allowing him to access the building. Once inside, Qiang knew where he was going, walking briskly to the lift. He and his aide rode the lift to the fourth floor and strode to the appointed conference room. It was smaller than Qiang thought, seating was only available for six. The room was also lacking in modern technology, having a single 2D screen along one wall and a tactile interface table at its center. Qiang didn’t know whether to be insulted by the snub or to treat it as a carelessness on the part of the junior officer who had scheduled it.

  “It is an honor, Grand Admiral.” Qiang turned slowly and saw as a man entered the room, a Rear Admiral in the People’s Navy Logistics Division. “I am Rear Admiral Chu Ivan.”

  “Same to you. Shall we begin? Will there be anyone else joining us?” Qiang inquired with an even tone. This seemed to be a second snub, if a small one. Qiang had expected a full admiral.

  “No sir. This will be all for today’s meeting. The matter is urgent, our supplies are quite stretched and that includes personnel in this command.” He offered a small smile.

  “Very well.” Qiang said, taking a seat. Chu closed and locked the door before following suit. Qiang regarded him curiously.

  “As I said, the matter is urgent.” Chu said slowly. “However, I must be honest, the reason I scheduled this meeting was not for the logistics concerns.”

  “Excuse me?” Qiang said, quickly tiring of the games.

  “Admiral Tan Min was a friend and mentor of your’s, correct?” Chu probed.

  “Yes, he was.” Qiang said, a warning flag rising in the back of his mind.

  “And now, after loyally serving the People, where is he now?” Chu had now sent bright red warnings across Qiang’s mind. This didn’t bode well.

  “He is currently imprisoned for his failures, thus I have been selected to take command.” Qiang had a sharp brittle edge in his voice now. “Now, what is the meaning of this line of questioning?”

  “I wish that were true, Admiral.” Chu said sadly, his face revealing a deep sadness. “Admiral Tan Min was executed by internal security forces two days ago.”

  “Wh-What?” Qiang was stunned for a moment.

  “As for my line of questioning, I do apologize but I do what I must, for the People and for the Admiral.” Chu continued, ignoring Qiang’s disbelief. “I have something you must see, or rather experience, before I can continue.” He finished, standing.

  “I do not know what game you are playing at, but I can guarantee that you will not live to regret it for long.” Qiang said, his voice was now deadly and cold.

  “Please sir, I implore you, tolerate this for only long enough to see what I have to show you.” Chu implored. For some reason, Qiang conceded.

  “Very well.” Qiang said quietly, his voice still maintaining a sharp edge.

  Chu nodded and gestured for Qiang to follow him. Chu did not go back to the entrance, but instead to the only other door in the room. As Qiang stepped through the door and into the small space, he realized that this room was some sort of large storage closet. He could feel his anger beginning to rise again when he saw something that surprised him. Behind a shelving unit sat an old VR-chair. The virtual reality environment it created was rudimentary by today’s standards, but the basics of the unit were still used today. Qiang noted that it was actually running and open, waiting.

  “If you would sir?” Chu gestured to the chair.

  “Why?” Qiang asked.

  “Why a VR or why this old piece of garbage?” Chu asked.

  “Both.” Qiang said.

  “To answer the second first, this is the most secure thing we could use that would still serve our purpose. This is such an old unit that we can be certain of the origin of all of it’s components. Also, this does not require a connection to a larger network to operate, as its simulations are much more limited in scope and size.” Chu looked meaningfully at the chair. “This unit happens to have belonged to Admiral Tin Min’s father. For your first question, the simulation will answer that itself.”

  Qiang stepped forward and sat in the chair. Chu helped him attach the input-output leads to his body. The process took several minutes before Chu could step to the side and manipulate the external control panel.

  “Ready sir?”

  “Do it.” Qiang said, anxious to proceed down the path he had begun on. Chu nodded and the capsule closed around him. Qiang felt his head spin as the link was made with his brain. Qiang resisted at first, then let himself spin away into the spiraling sea of colors.

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  “Chen Qiang.” Qiang spun quickly, the sound of the voice familiar in an instant.

  “Admiral!” Qiang said, snapping to a salute.

  “Haha, now now, Qiang, you know that is not something you need to do in private to me.” Min paused for a moment considering his hand with great apparent interest. “Especially considering this is not even me.”

  It took Qiang a second before he remembered that he was in a simulation. He studied his friend and mentor, realizing that he could see the shimmer around him and there were edges that were sharper than they should have been. He couldn’t quite place it but he could sense a wrongness about it all.

  “Of course sir.” Qiang said, before realizing that he had again called this computer simulation ‘sir’. Qiang took a moment to take in his surroundings, recognizing the location. He was sitting in the old leather easy chair across from Tan Min in his private study. Qiang had sat in this chair many times over the years, well before he had been an admiral.

  “Let’s move to more pressing matters. I created this hologram for a purpose.” He paused to collect his thoughts, or simulate doing so. “Since you are here, that most likely means that I am indeed dead. It also means that I was likely executed by our own government and that our war with the American’s and their allies still rages across all of space. Since you are here, I must assume that you have survived where I have not. For this reason I must assume that the Party is not aware of my more clandestine actions. If they were, I suspect you too would be dead or imprisoned, guilty by association.” Min smiled ruefully.

  “Guilty by association, sir?” While not real, Qiang still couldn’t help but call the simulation sir.

  “Yes. I have harbored, for some time now, doubts about our war with the Americans. Or rather, doubts about our intentions in such a war. This of course, is something of a rebellious thought.” Min said with some dark humor.

  “But surely that is not sufficient for them to execute you.” Qiang said weakly.

  “You should know better than that by now, my old friend. Our friends in Internal Security can execute most anyone they please so long as they fill out the proper paperwork.” Min said, again trying to find a humorous tone. “But no, you are correct, they would likely have just stripped me of rank and forced me into a quiet retirement. But as I said, they likely do not know. I suspect that I have been outfoxed by the Americans, most likely Admiral Mondragon. But I digress. My thoughts moved beyond simply having concerns. I began to formulate a plan, one to safeguard our people, to safeguard China.”

  “Sir, are you talking about a coup?” Qiang said, failing to completely hide his shock.

  “You catch on quickly.” Min said. “Yes I am.”

  “But sir…” Qiang was lost for words.

  “I know, Qiang, it goes against everything we have been taught, everyt
hing we have been conditioned to serve. Except for one thing, our duty to the people. We cannot forget them.” Min’s words hit Qiang heavily, leaving him conflicted. “I’m afraid I must place this heavy burden on you now. I pray that it never becomes necessary, but if our war goes poorly, I fear for what the Party may resort to, the measures they may take.”

  “What do you fear they may do?” Qiang asked, not really wanting the answer.

  “Several things come to mind, each more frightening than the last. Initially, they may use military force to suppress our own people, more than simply martial law. They may well elect to use nuclear weapons against our own people, use our marines to slaughter them wholesale. But worst of all, I suspect they may not accept defeat.” Min said with weight.

  “They may have no choice.”

  “There is always a choice.” Min said.

  “They would still lose, even if they deployed our entire arsenal. Nobody would win in such an exchange.” Qiang said. “The orbital fortresses are not tools of war, they are simply apocalyptic precursors.”

  “You will find no disagreement from me, Qiang. We discussed it at length one evening, long before this war. I am sure you remember.” Min said with a smile.

  That was one way to put it. They had finished a very expensive bottle of scotch that night, a celebration on Qiang’s promotion to rear admiral. The discussion, however, had turned serious by the time they were halfway through the bottle. The orbital fortresses built by each of the great powers was the modern equivalent of the American and Soviet Cold War nuclear arsenals and MAD. There were enough nuclear tipped and purely kinetic weapons on those battlestations for each power to end life on Earth several times over. They were also nearly impossible to defend against.

  “What would you have me do?” Qiang asked.

  “You must take up my mantle. You are the natural choice for Grand Admiral, for my successor. You will be watched, yes, but you will also be in a position to stop what we both fear. You must protect the people, Qiang, you must do so at all costs. Rear Admiral Chu can assist you. He is my most trusted confidant, other than yourself of course. He will be able to assist you in contacting those who I have gathered to me, those of like mind.”

  “But sir…” Qiang trailed off, unsure of how to ask his next question.

  “How can you trust this recording, how can you trust Rear Admiral Chu.” Min asked, the simulation still conveying the power and the care that could only have come from Min himself.

  “Yes sir.” Qiang said.

  “That is the trouble, isn’t it.” Min said knowingly. “There are several ways to answer your question. First, this device is as tamper-proof as is possible and has never been connected to a network. It cannot be monitored, assuming of course you chose to trust Rear Admiral Chu and his guardianship of this VR unit.”

  “That is a large step.” Qiang said pessimistically.

  “He may be able to win your trust.” Min’s voice took on an impressively synthesized version of his mentor’s compassionate tone. “This will be dangerous for you, no matter your path. Remember how fickle the Party can be, my friend. Remember and be careful. I’m afraid that is all I have for you, this is the end of my advice.”

  Qiang had more questions, but he knew that these simulations were limited, particularly in a unit this old. He simply nodded and went through the mental exit protocols to leave the simulation.

  “Goodbye, my friend.” Qiang said as the simulation faded out and he spun back into reality.

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  “Sir, are you alright?” Rear Admiral Chu’s face was quite close to Qiang’s own. Qiang resisted the initial impulse to push the Rear Admiral away as he registered the concern on his face. Qiang did feel terrible, something he wasn’t used to with modern VR units.

  “No…I have a splitting headache.” Qiang rubbed his forhead. “Are you certain this thing is calibrated and working properly?”

  “Yes sir, it’s simply quite old technology, at least twenty years old or more. It was pressed somewhat beyond its limits to show that little simulation, too much dataflow.” Chu held up a cloth. “Here sir, your nose is bleeding.”

  Qiang took the cloth and brought it up to his nose. It came away with a small amount of blood, not quite enough to have reached his mouth or his uniform. He nodded his thanks to the man. He climbed out of the machine and glared at it for a moment before turning to Rear Admiral Chu.

  “That was, an interesting experience.” Qiang said slowly, still collecting his thoughts.

  “May I make a suggestion, sir?” Chu asked, equally as carefully.

  “Go ahead.” Qiang said.

  “Well sir, Admiral Tin Min had several conversations with me over a drink or two. He liked several different liquors, but he gave a gift to two individuals that was special in its own right.” Chu said, walking behind the desk in the space and opening the bottom drawer. He withdrew an unassuming looking box, but what he took from it was anything but unassuming. He pulled a bottle of scotch, the shining label of the Chivas Regal gleaming on the long necked bottle. “I was told you would be familiar with this particular brand?”

  “You were told correctly.” Qiang said, looking from the bottle back to the now smiling Chu.

  “This is, of course, difficult to acquire at this point, sir. Since the war and the Party’s move to encourage more…patriotic drinks, such pleasures have been somewhat less available. That is also because of the embargo by the American’s and their allies on such shipments into China.” Chu held up the bottle and admired its color in the industrial lighting. “I assume you are also aware of the reputation that is associated with Chivas’ bottling?”

  “I am. They claim, at least, that their label cannot be duplicated and that each bottle is guaranteed to be genuine. I suspect that claim is levelled at other companies, not superpower governments.” Qiang said with some skepticism.

  “I can concede that point sir. However, I would like to point out that this is an unusual method of disinformation, should this be what it is.” Chu said reasonably.

  “But not one which internal security would be above using.” Qiang countered. “Still, I will grant you this is something less likely. How do I know the bottle was intended for you, not for someone else from whom you have taken it from?”

  “I would suggest, sir, that we open the bottle and find out. Admiral Tin Min told me that there is a phrase engraved on this bottle’s cap, one that cannot be read until the bottle is opened.” Chu said, trailing off somewhat.

  “Well, I think that either way we’ll be in need of the contents of that bottle.” Qiang said with a small smile before becoming more serious. “Because either way, the world is a much more dangerous place for us both now.”

  “I agree sir.” Chu said, nodding his ascent. He held out the bottle. “Would you do the honors?”

  Qiang took the bottle and set it on the desk. He drew a small folding blade from his pocket and sliced the label. He was surprised at how tough the label was, requiring him to exert considerable force to actually cut the label despite the fine edge on his blade. As he did so, the bottle triggered a reaction that began to color the top of the bottle. Qiang paused as he finished cutting to watch the process. The chemical quickly colored the top ring of the bottle, coloring about thirty centimeters of the bottle black. Left clear was the Chivas Regal logo and name. The bottle also displayed its bottling date and location. Of course all of this was in English, but Qiang could read that easily enough. As the reaction finished he reached out and grasped the lid. It came off with a small exertion of force, smoothly unscrewing. As the cap came free, Qiang turned it over and read the engraving on the bottom.

  “For strength in your endeavors and courage on your path.” Qiang read the script aloud, knowing in an instant he had made his choice. He turned to look at Chu. “Let’s drink, for we have much to discuss.”

  “So you trust me then?” Chu ventured.


  “For better or for worse, with my life.” Qiang accepted two glasses from Chu and poured them each a strong drink. “We must plan and think to the future of our people.”

  “So then it has come to pass, exactly as he envisioned?” Chu asked nervously.

  “It has.” Qiang said nodding. “Or close enough that actions must be taken.”

  “I understand.” Chu said, his voice stronger. “I am ready, to do what I must.”

  Qiang nodded again. So it begins, with a single conversation. Qiang thought.

  Treason.

  VVS-2: Approaching Alpha Slip Gate

  DSF-1: USS Tripoli

  “Alright people, here’s the deal.” Athena said over the fleet-wide comm. “We are facing off against what would typically be deemed a superior force. But what I know and our enemy does not is the courage, commitment, and skill of the crews of 1st Long Range Recon and Strike. We will take them head-on and we will persevere. I know this mission has been hard on us all, but each of you has proven yourselves time and time again. I know I can count on each of you. We will fight and we will win. They have no idea who they are dealing with, let’s show them.”

  “To victory.” Sanders said.

  “To victory.” Echoed Heath.

  “Victory.” The rest of CIC responded. Athena nodded to each of them.

  “Battlestations.” She ordered, energizing CIC.

  “Ships moving into formation, sir.” Johnson reported.

  “Thunderer reports she is in position. Captain Martin is also requesting to talk directly with you sir.” Daniels reported, turning to face Athena. Athena finished snapping on her helmet and then indicated to Daniels to put Martin through.

  “Thunderer actual, this is Tripoli actual.”

  “Sir, all systems are online. The CORE software has been sent and we are awaiting confirmation from all ships that they are running it in parallel. Also, the plasma cannons are in stand-by.” Martin reported crisply.