Immortal Guardian: Hoast Saga Book 2 (Host Saga)

by Michael Farlow

  “I am the guardian Admiral Spector referred to. To prepare, the nations of Earth must unite and work together to get ready for the inevitable. That may be in the form of an Earth Federation if you like. The United Nations organization will not work. Each of your governments will electronically receive some suggestions as to how such a federation might be formed and work. Two weeks from now, a representative from each country with the authority to sign a global agreement is invited to meet in Geneva at a place determined by you. I may address you remotely, but be assured that my ambassador and staff will help moderate the discussions.

  “I repeat: It is up to you to take control of your fate. I can help, but I will not force you. Thank you and good night.”

  Finished, Van nearly collapsed back in his chair, a rush of relief swallowing him now that he was done. He hated speaking to so many people. Finally relieved, he straightened and turned to the room. “OK. How did I do?”

  “Not exactly the strong, forceful type…. but I think they get the message,” said Barbara.

  “I thought it was perfect,” said Rose. “If only they listen.”

  “Short and to the point is the way to do it, Van,” said Dick. “Now we wait and see what they do.”

  “You do realize, don’t you,” said Brice, “that now you can’t go into town and have dinner or even a beer anymore. You’d be swamped!”

  “Yes, well, I don’t do much of that anyway,” said a resigned Van. “However, these next few weeks will be an opportunity for all of you to get out and enjoy yourselves and for the families on the Moon to get home and make necessary arrangements for moving into the Moon base and eventually the Mars base.

  “But before we all go our separate directions, I remember what Danny said. We are going to need a lot more people. I would appreciate it if each of you could discreetly contact people you think would fit in and grab on to the opportunity. The more the better. I’ll remain here at Site R with Harry, and we can conduct interviews as necessary. Harry, by the way, is already in the process of converting the Truman and Enterprise to look like the B1 and B2 so we can ferry people around without much attention. Plus, we do have access to Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff and a chartered jet or two. So, make your plans and go!”

  Everyone left the room except Rose.

  “I know a bunch of people in and out of the astronaut program that I’m sure will be interested. And I know doctors and nurses who might jump at the opportunity,” she said. “But I have to hit the road right away if I’m going to get to them in time. Sure you don’t want to come along?”

  “I’d love to. But Brice is right. After that speech, I couldn’t go to the bathroom without being recognized. So take off and do good work for us. And enjoy yourself.”

  “OK.” Rose leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and left.

  Van sat in his chair unable to move. Did she really kiss me?

  CHAPTER 41

  Anika stepped carefully around what appeared to be a crashed airplane and wondered what she had discovered. Here in the mountains of the Aravalli Range of India, it was uncommon to even see airplanes, much less run across a crash like this.

  Anika was a girl of ten who oversaw the family goat herd when she was not in school. Her family was poor by many standards, but they were happy and healthy. Nevertheless, she recognized the potential value of what she had stumbled upon. While the goats bleated and the young ones frolicked, she approached the craft with caution. There was an opening in the rear of the craft where there might have once been a door.

  Cautiously she entered, carefully avoiding the sharp, twisted metal all around her. Anika was able to walk all the way forward to what she assumed was the cockpit, and then she was stricken by fear and shock. There, slumped over in a seat, was a man. An older man with thinning red hair and a larger-than-normal head. Gathering up courage, she poked the man and then jumped back. He didn’t move. She did it again with the same results. He must be dead, she thought. She had seen dead people before in her village, but none quite like this.

  Guessing there was little she could do for the man, she began looking around, and her eyes fell on a backpack on the floor next to the dead man’s seat. She opened it and wasn’t sure what she was looking at. It was black and looked expensive. So she picked up the pack, but its weight caught her off-balance and she fell backward into the cockpit. When she did so, she must have hit some sort of switch, because there was an immediate beeping noise and a red flashing light on one of the panels. Afraid that she had done something dangerous, Anika pulled herself up and rapidly made her way out of the crash. She then gathered up the herd and started making her way down the mountain as fast as she could, lugging the pack with her.

  At the same time in the Site R Ops Center, Harry detected the crash beacon.

  “Commander!” Harry said with a tone normally associated with urgency.

  “What is it?” said Van, looking up from résumés on his workstation.

  “I am receiving a crash beacon from the B2.”

  “What? That’s not possible. It was destroyed.” Van dropped his work and gave Harry his full attention.

  “Apparently not, or at least not all of it. I am receiving a signal from the mountains outside of New Delhi, India.”

  “Do we have satellite or drone coverage there?”

  “No, Commander. And it will take nearly as much time to get coverage as it will take us to fly there ourselves.”

  “And everyone else is gone. That leaves just you and me—but one of us has to stay here.”

  “Then I will go, Commander. You need to stay to keep the recruiting going and to respond to unknowns.”

  “I guess you’re right. Then get to it!”

  Flying in stealth mode, Harry located the crash site a few hours later. Seeing that there were no people nearby, he landed, exited the shuttle, and walked to the crashed vehicle.

  “Commander, I am at the crash site now,” Harry reported over implant communications.

  “Is it the B2?”

  “Yes, Commander, I’m afraid it is.”

  “How the hell did it get there?”

  “There is no way of knowing for certain, Commander. But the shuttle does have blast damage confirming it was fired upon.”

  “Make an educated guess, Harry.”

  “It is possible, Commander, that after the B2 was hit the autopilot took over and attempted to return to Site R. However, the navigation system was likely damaged and it ended up here. I’m going in to look at the interior now.”

  Van waited anxiously as Harry entered through the rear of the B2 and carefully examined every inch of the craft. When he got to the cockpit, he saw a body slumped in the pilot’s seat. He then reached over and took a sample of blood from the corpse.

  “Commander, there is a body strapped into the pilot’s seat. My initial assessment of a blood sample matches ones we obtained from the supply ship Argos. It is Mr. Peter Meier.”

  “And he is dead?”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  “Anything else in the B2, like the Chad computer?” asked Van as he stroked his forehead, thinking of what to do next.

  “No, Commander.”

  “So the computer was not here and you can’t find it there in the B2. Can it be outside the shuttle somewhere?”

  “I scanned the debris field as I approached, Commander. I detected nothing like the Chad computer or anything else of value.”

  “Then make another look around and then destroy the B2 remains and come home.”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  But there was no computer to be found.

  CHAPTER 42

  For the next two weeks, Van, Harry, and Stan worked overtime reviewing résumés and interviewing people. Some had to be rejected, but Van was amazed at how good a job everyone was doing of finding usable talent. He lost count of how many new recruits had been sent to Moon base after all the original members had returned from their vacations.

  Currently, he and Stan Wa
lters were sitting at makeshift desks in the Site R Ops Center shuffling through a new stack of résumés and other papers.

  “How many new people have we got now, Stan?” Van asked, leaning back in his chair and stretching his aching arms.

  “Not counting the people we had before the recruiting effort, over two hundred, and there are more coming in.”

  He sat upright and looked at Stan. “Moon base can’t handle that many. Where are you putting them?”

  “Well, being a good XO, I took it upon myself to relocate most people to Mars base. There’s more than enough room there, and the training and living facilities are much better. By the way, the second scavenged corvette at Moon base is now complete and better than new. And the Aurora has been overhauled and the weapons systems changed as you directed.”

  “I’m impressed, Stan. I had my head down so much with the recruiting I hadn’t focused on the logistics. Great job!” said Van with sincere praise as leaned back again in his chair and closed his eyes. He needed a moment of rest.

  The meeting in Geneva started on time. It had been given the name Federation Conference by the media, and it stuck. To their credit, most countries sent their heads of state. Kings, presidents, and prime ministers filled the hotels and halls of the International Conference Center of Geneva. In many side meetings, there was standing room only.

  The first week was action filled, as representatives argued their cases for and against a federation. The second week was much slower, with a few countries showing skepticism. The third week saw a complete halt to progress. France, China, India, and Brazil were not convinced of the need for a federation. In their view, they could fend for themselves with current and developing technology.

  “Van, I’ve never seen such a group of four blockheads in my whole life,” reported Dick from Geneva. “They just refuse to listen. They believe they’re already on a technology path to defend themselves and don’t need help. Brazil even thinks their technology is better than what we have to offer. Everyone is threatening to go home if these four can’t see the light.”

  “Do you think Brazil is the key since they’re the tech lead in shipbuilding?” asked Van.

  “Yes I do. They have the other three countries convinced that they don’t need any more help.”

  “I see. What do you think it would take to change their minds?”

  “I’m not sure…. unless there is something we could do with that guy José Silva.”

  “José Silva, they guy who started Brazaero and designer of the Passaro series?”

  “The very same. He seems to be the technical motivation behind the thinking of the four balking conference reps.”

  “What if we took him on a show-and-tell to the Moon and back?”

  “That might work, but how would you pick him up? He’s here in Geneva,” asked Dick.

  “We’ll use the Enterprise and the transporter. All you have to do is get him alone in a park or something and let us do the rest.”

  “I can do that. How about tonight, say ten local time. You can hone in on my implant.”

  “That will work. See you soon.”

  CHAPTER 43

  That same evening Dick was walking and talking with José Silva in a park near the Convention Center. They were still in their suits from the convention activities, but heavy wool helped hold off the growing chill.

  “Are you certain that your technology is equal to or better than what the guardian spoke of?” Dick asked.

  “For the most part, yes,” said José. “And it continues to grow exponentially. I don’t see why we cannot be ready for the Arkon in just a few years.”

  “But we don’t know for sure how much time we have at present,” argued Dick.

  “I think we have many years to continue development,” said José confidently.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Silva, I think I hear something.”

  Dick took several steps away from José Silva just as a bright light engulfed the Brazilian, who soon found himself in the cargo bay of the Enterprise.

  “Good evening, Mr. Silva.”

  “You—you are the guardian!” exclaimed José.

  “That’s what people seem to be calling me. But excuse my rudeness, and welcome to my small shuttle.”

  “This is a small shuttle?” asked José with emphasis on the “small” part.

  “Yes actually, the smallest we have. Won’t you please come forward and join me in the cockpit?”

  José followed Van hesitantly into the well-appointed cockpit and took the chair he was offered.

  “Why am I here? How am I here? Where are we going?” he began to question.

  “As to why you’re here, you are an important and learned man at this conference, Mr. Silva. So I wanted to take some time to show you a few things I couldn’t show everyone. As to how you got here, you were transported by a molecular transporter. Sort of like Star Trek. As to where we’re going, how about the Moon?”

  After that, all José Silva could do was watch the Earth shrink and the Moon grow in size. But as they approached the Moon, the windows went black.

  “What happened?” he asked, worried.

  “The windows are just blacked out so you don’t actually see where we are going on the Moon. As soon as we get inside, everything will come back on.”

  “Inside what?”

  “Our Moon base, Mr. Silva.”

  José lost track of time, but in only minutes, the blackness of the windows turned clear and he could see a huge lighted space.

  “This is it?” said José.

  “It is indeed,” said the guardian. “Now if you’ll come with me, I’ll show you around.”

  José saw the combat shuttles. They were huge from his perspective. He learned they did not require fuel but operated using something called ZPE. He saw the storage areas, the living facilities, and the operations center. He was puzzled when the guardian invited him into a small golf-cart-looking device on a rail but was jolted into realization that it was a monorail when it sped away and stopped a short time later at another, larger facility.

  What he saw next shocked him into near speechlessness. Before him were two absolutely huge spaceships bristling with what appeared to be weapons. So shocked was he that he initially missed the robotic creatures busily working on and around the two ships. But he saw no people.

  “What are those?” was all José could say.

  “Those are two of the smallest warships that the Host have provided us. They are corvettes, and the one closest to you is the one that engaged and destroyed the Arkon scout ship.”

  “They are the smallest warships?” asked an overwhelmed José.

  “Yes. There are larger ones at other facilities.”

  “Where?”

  “That I can’t tell you, Mr. Silva. Would you like a tour?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Hours later, the tour of the ships and facility was complete, and José rode again in the cockpit of the Enterprise with the guardian returning to Earth.

  “So, Mr. Silva, what do you think?”

  “I think I have been wrong. I could not have imagined all of this. And you say that these Arkon have similar ships and technology?”

  “Yes they do. But the technology edge seems to be ours, while they have greater numbers of ships and warriors.”

  “And they are also FTL capable?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we are in much more danger than I could have imagined.”

  “Yes we are, Mr. Silva. Yes we are.”

  In less than a week following Van’s flight with José Silva, all the nations agreed to the creation of an Earth Federation. A president was appointed until elections could be conducted, and at the urging of the guardian, Gen. Dimitry Anikin was appointed the first minister of space and technology.

  Back at Moon base, Van and his crew began preparations for a flight to Mars.

  “Sorry you and your wife won’t be coming with us this time, Dick. But we’ll expect you soon.” />
  “Thanks, Van. I need to stay here for a while to get a few things cleaned up and set up the guardian liaison office. Thanks for leaving the modified Truman and a couple of pilots behind. Moon base still has functional help, and the second corvette is still here if Earth needs it. By the way, have you given it a name yet?”

  “Yes I have, and I think you’ll like it. We’re calling her the Bonhomme Richard.”

  “You mean after John Paul Jones’s ship?” asked Dick.

  “No, after you!” said Van, slapping Dick on the back.

  “I’m humbled,” said Dick with a reddening face.

  “You shouldn’t be. We wouldn’t be here without you. I mean that,” said Van.

  “I doubt that. By the way, your problems with Barbara may have been solved.”

  “How?”

  “General Anikin just offered her an intelligence position on his staff, and it looks like she’ll accept.”

  “I hope he knows what he’s getting himself into,” laughed Van.

  “I doubt it, but she’ll do a good job,” said Dick.

  “I’m sure she will. The question is, will you be OK, since I’ve stolen all your employees?”

  “I don’t think of them as stolen, just moved to other positions on the same team.”

  “Glad to hear it. But there is one more thing.” Van turned to face Stan. “You may not know this, Stan, but we own an island in the Aegean.”

  “Ah, no. That’s new to me. What kind of island?” asked the puzzled XO.

  Van’s mind flashed back to the events surrounding the capture of the island and the Argos. Compared to what had happened recently, those events now were minor and their gains a drop in the bucket. The picture of Brice’s team being chased by the robots was almost humorous now. So much had happened since. But Dick is right. Times have changed, and we have bigger challenges before us, he thought.