“One previously used by Meier as a weapons storage facility and smuggling base. Harry, what’s going on at Meier’s old island right now?”
“Nothing, Commander. All the weapons are gone, and the Carson Group has been using it at times as a base for the Argos.”
“Dick?” asked Van. “Didn’t you sell that ship?”
“That we did. And for quite a sum, I might add.”
“So the island is just going to waste,” said Van thoughtfully. “That gives me an idea. I’ve been wondering what we could do next to help the federation, and now I have it. I want to stock the island with things I think will spark some advancement that’s needed next.”
“Like what?” said a wide-eyed Stan Walters.
Van thought for a moment. “Let Harry make most of the choices, but I think at a minimum we can throw in a couple of fabrication machines, some medical chambers and nanites, as well as plans for the B1 and B2 shuttles. Harry can leave behind a small database of advanced ideas for areas like medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, communications, and so forth. You can do that, right, Harry?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Good. Good. There are some limitations I want now, however. No FTL. No ZPE, no AI like Harry, and limited weapons…. say lasers only for now. Stan, you and Harry can work with Dick on this remotely,” Van said, now getting a new sense of purpose and confidence. Maybe this guardian thing isn’t such a bad deal. I feel stronger now, and I can make a difference. I’ve seen it happen.
“We can do that,” said Stan with a nod from Dick. “How about personal weapons and combat suits?”
“Use your best judgment, but we have to keep things limited at present and not encourage anybody to fall back into their old ways.”
“When we’re done, what do you have in mind for it?” asked Stan.
“I think Dick taking General Anikin to the island for a visit will do just fine. The general can take it from there.”
“You’re going to give it to him?” asked a surprised Stan.
“That’s the plan, Stan. But now it’s time to go.”
Van shook Dick’s hand and then turned with Stan to board the Aurora for Mars.
EPILOGUE
The Arkon Empire had grown to such proportions that not even the ruling Blues knew exactly how large it was. The myriad of administrative layers between the ruling council and the average citizen tended to dilute the senses of belonging and even loyalty to the empire’s planets and systems. Had it not been for the empire’s fleet of warships, it could not be controlled or forced to provide the food, raw materials, and technology for the true Arkons to survive.
Not surprisingly, the military, controlled by Reds, was similarly layered but also bound by strict rules, which extended to both the mundane and combat operations. Creativity was not part of the Arkon culture, regardless of caste color.
So the failure of the small scout ship Moor to report did not register at any command level. It was noted in an administrative memo, which was forwarded automatically to Sector Planning with hundreds or even thousands of other reports. It would sit there without command attention until, by chance, another ship happened to be headed in the same direction as the Moor had been. Then and only then would a note be appended to the ship’s orders as, at best, a tertiary tasking for any ship to keep at least an eye out for the missing scout.
The empire was indeed slow to respond, like some huge dragon gone to sleep. But the one thing that could be said of the empire’s system, it did not forget. At some point, someone would look for the Moor.
END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, Mike was a career naval officer, decorated combat pilot, and served in senior positions on staff in Washington, D.C. Following his military service, he embarked on a career as an aerospace systems engineer and executive with several Fortune 500 companies.
With a desire to help others develop as leaders, Mike earned his PhD in Organizational Leadership and started a leadership development consulting firm, specializing in executive coaching and development.
Mike’s passion for writing, developed throughout his career and in his doctoral studies, resulted in his writing a non-fiction book, Leaders Are Made Not Born. That writing and publishing experience fueled Mike’s desire to try his hand at writing fiction…which he finds an even greater challenge.
When he’s not writing, Mike spends as much time as possible saltwater fishing with his wife, Lynne.
CONTACT MIKE:
Author Website and Blog: www.michaeljfarlow.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichaelJFarlow/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljfarlow?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550141.Michael_J_Farlow
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COMING NEXT
Van Childs continues his mission to ready mankind for an Arkon invasion. He now realizes that his and the Earth Federation’s combined ability to prepare for and defend against the Arkon is not enough. If they are going to ready in time, Van has to gamble Earth’s—and his own—safety and embark on a desperate search for help in unexplored parts of the galaxy. But political upheaval in the Federation and a traitor within the Guardian Force ranks threatens to derail the mission. At the crucial moment when help is within grasp, an attempt on Van’s life forces him to return to Earth—to face an enemy he never could have anticipated.
In Search for Help, international and galactic intrigue combine with space combat and treachery to determine the human race’s future.
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR
Future Discovered: Host Saga Book 1
“Future Discovered will have you questioning the use of advanced technology and the future of humanity. This is a unique, compelling and intriguing combination of science fiction and thriller. A must read.”
—Bob Mayer, New York Times Best Selling author
All Van wanted was a peaceful place to get away from noise and stress. Instead he stumbles on alien technology hidden in the mountains of Arizona and his plans vanish. Presiding over the new technology is a pushy AI who recruits (blackmails) Van into assisting him. Van discovers the extent of both the cache of technology and its importance to mankind.
However, unknown to both Van and the AI, there is another human who has plans to defeat both Van’s efforts, and mankind’s ultimate survival.
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Ages 18+
Publisher: Wolf Press, LLC
ISBN 978-0-9973121-0-2 — Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9973121-1-9 — eBook (ePub)
Leaders are Made Not Born: 40 Simple Skills to Make You the Leader You Want to Be.
“…straightforward, zeros in on key leadership skills, and exceptionally practical. I like this book.”
— John Ryan, President and CEO,
Center for Creative Leadership
There is no such thing as a leadership gene. What you need instead are the forty principals and easy-to-apply skills in the book. Clear, concise, yet comprehensive, Leaders are Made Not Born provides the skills; you do the rest.
Genre: Business/Leadership
Audience: Ages 18+
Publisher: LinkUp Publishing
ISBN 978-0-9826746-8-0 – Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9781483534855 – eBook (ePub)
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
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Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Epilogue
About the Author
Contact Mike:
Coming Next
Other Books by This Author
Immortal Guardian: Hoast Saga Book 2 (Host Saga) Page 29