Zheng could clearly make out the surface features. There were oceans and land masses, just as there were on Ekkida. Why nobody was allowed to live on or even visit Vushmatu was a question the Ekkidans never provided a satisfactory answer for.
“You aren’t having regrets over a life well spent, are you, Colonel,” Kestar asked. He looked up from his tablet to see Zheng taking on a somewhat melancholy countenance. “Surely, teaching an important subject like history to the youth of the League is a worthwhile endeavor,” Kestar elaborated. “That you had to wind up in such an isolated location in order to do so surely must be considered a fair price to pay for the opportunity to engage in such a rewarding vocation.”
Zheng looked back around at Kestar.
Kestar was clean-cut, around thirty years old and looked as if he was meticulous and purposeful in everything he said and did.
“Maybe so,” Zheng said. “But, I also think it’s possible I may have been hiding from some things.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand what you are getting at, Colonel,” Kestar said. “But, you sound as if you are a man in need of absolution and you have no idea how, or, if I may be so bold, whom to ask.”
“Are you offering forgiveness, Kestar,” Zheng asked with a smile. “That is probably a good explanation of my situation, though. Of late I feel as if I have spent my life asking all the wrong questions out of a combination of ignorance and arrogance.”
“And you believe I may help you with this how, Colonel,” Kestar asked.
“You can’t help me directly, Kestar,” Zheng told the puzzled Ekkidan ori. “I was just wondering to myself if your opinion on how your life is going might help me put things in perspective.”
“Then consider me at your service, Colonel,” Kestar responded, happy that the subject of the conversation had finally been clearly established. “Please ask me what you will, Sir.”
“There are some who would say that citizens of the League may have become complacent,” Zheng said. “Some believe we have become too dependent upon the Central Government to supply us with our needs.”
“But does that not allow us more time and resources to spend in the pursuit of happiness,” Kestar asked. “It seems to me that would be the purpose of a government. Up to a certain point, I mean. Of course, a government large enough to give me anything I want is large enough to take away anything I have.”
Zheng was amused although not surprised to hear an Ekkidan use an argument against the socialist mindset his research told him had been uttered at one time or another in the past of every planet in the League. The saying had become the battle cry for those who abhorred what they considered to be a bloated Central Government bureaucracy founded upon overreaching entitlement programs, oppressive taxation and intrusive regulations.
“It isn’t as if the government is coddling me,” Kestar told Zheng. “I still must engage in employment and strive to improve myself. I have to pay for my lodging and food. And, I must put aside for my own retirement if I do not want to live out the latter years of my life in one of the Central Government’s retirement communities.”
“I have to admit, however,” he confessed. “I find it frustrating that my hard work and desire to better my situation has become somewhat moot. Clothing is only clothing when haute couture no longer exists. With the elimination of fine dining, food is only food. With price regulation, you can afford more of what is available, but to buy more than what you need to survive only serves to turn you into a glutton.”
Kestar pulled out his tablet, checked his schedule once more and replaced it. He turned back to Zheng and continued his venting.
“Hobbies become boring after a while and there are no adventures left,” he explained. “You are not allowed to buy the means to travel from planet to planet privately and in many cases your passage on Central Government sponsored transport is regulated heavily. Even if you desire to relocate to another planet within the League, you find much the same conditions there you found on the planet you left.”
“Gambling has all but disappeared,” Kestar complained. “There is no point. Even when you win, you have damned little to spend your winnings on. The pursuit of wealth has become pointless.”
Kestar lowered his voice.
“It seems to me,” he said. “The pursuit of power is the only driving factor left in the human equation. At least, it’s the only one you can turn to your advantage.”
“But what use is power if it doesn’t bring you wealth,” Zheng asked, trying to follow Kestar’s logic. “What do you offer the people you need to assist you in getting and maintaining that power if you are unable to offer them wealth in return?”
Kestar looked at Zheng as if he were insane.
“Surely you realize that privilege and the ability to control your own destiny are much more valuable than wealth, Colonel,” he said. “Those who control the Central Government have surely figured that out. They are the ones who are taking away the ability from everyone else to use wealth to buy power.”
“What do you mean, Kestar,” Zheng asked.
Kestar pulled his tablet back out of his vest pocket.
“Your stop is coming up soon,” he said. “We really should find you some lighter weight uniforms and get you settled in. Your appointment with Aro Non is only three hours from now. He will be upset with both of us if you are in any way delayed.”
Zheng continued staring at Kestar. “Please answer the question,” he asked.
“You really should be having this discussion with the aro,” Kestar stated.
Zheng’s stare was unfazed.
Kestar finally relented.
“You answered your own question, you know,” he said. “What incentive do the masses have to vote against a government that promises to provide for all of their needs? And, by default, when the government finally silences the last few voices of opposition, what incentive will they have to continue providing for the masses?”
Kestar looked at Zheng in earnest.
“Colonel, you are a reasonable man,” he said. “Surely, you can see what is going on? The Central Government has all the weapons and when there are no more private industries to provide goods and services, they will have all the power. It can be said now that those in control of the Central Government are benevolent dictators. But, what happens when they are finally replaced by those who may not be so benevolent? And that will definitely happen; possibly within our lifetimes.”
Kestar asked, “Who then, will be able to stand in their way?”
Part VIII - The Ekkidans
Chapter 36
16-Apr-2210
“Just how long have we been in contact with these Ekkidans, Drew,” Gupta asked.
The briefing had just been completed and the floor was open for questions.
“I’m sorry, Vijay, but that is currently classified and ‘need to know’,” Commodore Wilkes responded. “Those officers with the required compartmental clearances will be briefed separately.”
“Then how exactly did we discover they were out there and by what means was first contact achieved,” Gupta asked, not letting loose of his line of questioning.
“That is also classified and ‘need to know’, General Gupta,” Wilkes replied. “Next question.”
“What is the harm in telling us how we came to meet our new neighbors, Commodore,” Gupta inquired. “Surely that would make for fascinating reading while in the latrine.”
“General Gupta,” Wilkes responded. “I will speak with you privately about this after I have taken questions from the rest of the Forward Command.”
Gupta turned to Calf Stealer and gave him a look that indicated he was angry about the situation and wasn’t going to accept ‘need to know’ for an answer. “Are you with me on this, Alphie,” he asked.
Calf Stealer almost laughed out loud, but stopped himself. “You two have a history, together, Vijay,” he asked.
“Drew and I are best of friends,” Gupta replied. “Isn’t it obvi
ous?”
****
Twenty minutes later, Wilkes, Gupta and Calf Stealer entered the private briefing room. “Colonel Calf Stealer,” Wilkes said as soon as the door was closed. “It is nice to see you again.”
“Thank you, Commodore Wilkes,” Calf Stealer replied. “And, likewise, Sir.”
Wilkes motioned for Gupta and Calf Stealer to sit as he took a chair on the opposite side of the conference table. “Have you been keeping my good friend Vijay out of mischief, Colonel,” Wilkes inquired. “I have found him to be quite difficult when he’s been drinking heavily.”
Calf Stealer was unsure if the barb that Wilkes threw at Gupta was in jest or an admonishment until Gupta, who had been silent since being called down during the briefing burst out laughing. Wilkes joined in, but didn’t laugh as hard.
“What is going on here, Drew,” Gupta asked. “Why is everything so hush-hush? And, how can the means by which we met another civilization possibly be ‘need to know’?”
“Give me a chance and I will try to explain it as clearly and completely as I can,” Wilkes said. He pulled his personal tablet out of his briefcase and activated it. He looked up at Calf Stealer. “Colonel, would you mind waiting outside,” he asked.
As Calf Stealer rose, Gupta grabbed his arm. “Hold on there, Alphie,” he said. “This concerns Calf Stealer also, Drew,” Gupta explained. “I think you might be surprised at what he could tell you about the Ekkidans.”
Calf Stealer squirmed in his chair and started to rise once more. “Perhaps the commodore is correct, Vijay,” he said. “I will wait outside…”
“Stay right where you are, Colonel,” Gupta snapped. “That’s a direct order. Wilkes may be SAC-Alpha Centauri, but I’m still your commanding officer.”
Gupta turned back to Wilkes. “I’m serious about this, Drew,” he said, more quietly but no less firmly. “Calf Stealer already knows about the Ekkidans. In fact, he was telling me about their existence before you called this briefing. He didn’t tell me a lot, but he told me enough to know that what we are doing here in regard to the expatriates is nothing more than political maneuvering of the worst sort.”
“Then I will have to thank you for keeping the lid on during the briefing, Vijay,” Wilkes said. “I can’t begin to tell you what a shit storm there would be if certain facts were made public at this time.”
“Why don’t you enlighten me,” Gupta snapped. “You’ve kept my ass in the dark long enough. I refuse to have my staff depose another expatriate, until you tell me why the Hell we should even care. I have my ideas about who we should prosecute for war crimes, but, in my estimation, most of the expatriates still living had damned little to do with the atrocities that went on here. I have felines and Zunnuki who will back me up on that.”
“I think,” Wilkes said softly in an attempt to quiet Gupta down. “If you really understood what went on here, you would know why we can’t talk about it openly.”
Wilkes looked at Calf Stealer. “Colonel, I will require a full briefing from you before you return to the surface to resume your diplomatic duties,” he said, then he turned back to Gupta.
“I don’t think you have the whole picture, General,” Wilkes stated. “Allow me to give you a full briefing when you’ve had a bit more sleep.”
Gupta nodded in agreement. He had been awake for almost forty-eight hours and had to admit he wasn’t at his best. Most of that time had been spent discussing the Ark and the invasion with Calf Stealer and Buzami while pounding back one Zunnuki ale after another. “I would like to be there for Calf Stealer’s briefing, also,” he requested.
“Do you have any problems with that, Colonel,” Wilkes asked.
“None, whatsoever, Commodore Wilkes,” Calf Stealer replied.
“Well alright, then,” Wilkes said. “I’ll see both of you after breakfast, tomorrow. Get plenty of rest.”
****
The following morning, Gupta and Calf Stealer met Wilkes in his office on board the Armstrong. Wilkes handed the both of them holographic data cards and instructed them to plug them into their personal tablets.
“What I am about to show the both of you is highly classified for diplomatic reasons,” Wilkes told them. “But first, Colonel,” he said. “I need you to tell me everything you know about the Ark’s command and any interaction with their contacts from Ekkida.”
“There isn’t much to tell, Commodore,” Calf Stealer replied. “I know that Yuen and Black Bear were in contact with them over a hyper-channel link.”
“You’re sure that Yuen and Black Bear were the only ones to interact,” Wilkes asked him.
“I’m not completely sure,” Calf Stealer answered. “But, I know that Yuen was the primary contact. Black Bear usually received his orders from Yuen.”
“How about John Chamberlain,” Wilkes asked. “How much interaction did he have with the Ekkidans?”
Calf Stealer looked as if the question frustrated him. He had no doubt that Wilkes knew Chamberlain was not in command of the Ark when it arrived at Terra Nova, but didn’t think it would be wise to make any assertions.
“John Chamberlain never communicated with any Ekkidan entity to my knowledge, Commodore,” he finally said after a moment’s consideration.
“In fact,” he added. “Chamberlain did everything he could to dissuade Yuen from following the recommendations of his Ekkidan contacts.”
“You are one-hundred percent certain about that, Colonel,” Wilkes asked. “Would you be willing to stand in front of a tribunal and state exactly that?”
“Yes, Sir,” Calf Stealer replied.
“Hold on, Drew,” Gupta demanded. “What are you getting at? Of course Colonel Calf Stealer is telling you the truth. What do you have to offer in return?”
He then turned to the feline and asked, “Colonel Calf Stealer, would you allow me to represent you as your legal counsel throughout the rest of this deposition?”
“Deposition,” Wilkes asked, seemingly surprised. “What the Hell are you talking about, Vijay?”
“Of course, General,” Calf Stealer replied, his voice breaking slightly. “You may serve as my legal counsel, now and at any time in the future.” He successfully prevented himself from laughing out loud, but he was having a difficult time keeping a sly smile from taking over his countenance.
“Okay then,” Gupta interjected forcefully.
Gupta turned to Wilkes, saluted and then stood at attention, waiting for Wilkes to salute back and order him to stand at rest. Once Wilkes complied with protocol, Gupta spoke.
“Commodore Wilkes,” Gupta said, in a strong and formal manner. “My client refuses to answer further questions until the conditions for a proper deposition are met.”
Wilkes brought his right hand to his chin and stared nonplussed as Gupta made his demands.
“First off,” Gupta said. “I believe the deposed and his counsel are entitled to a list of all questions you intend to ask. And, the list must be provided in enough time for us to request clarification on anything that may be unclear. I would imagine that a list of ten questions would require at least twenty-four hours…”
Wilkes held up his hand to stop Gupta from saying any more.
“Vijay,” he replied. “I don’t have twenty-four hours. I need to brief the two of you about this, now. We are talking about establishing relations among three planets with quite dissimilar cultures. That is difficult enough to accomplish without a pair of loose cannons running around spouting what amounts to conspiracy theories.”
“Like I said last night, a lot of this shit is ‘need to know’ for diplomatic reasons,” Wilkes continued. “I can tell you now, in my opinion, neither of you need to know anything about Earth’s dealings with Ekkida before this point in time. But, you alluded to the fact that Calf Stealer knows something about that already and he has shared some of his knowledge with you.”
“Now tell me what you two know about Chamberlain’s invasion of this planet,” Wilkes finally demanded from t
he both of them. “I need to fill any holes in your knowledge before you say anything publicly that would harm those diplomatic relations. Or, if you prefer, we can end this right now. Either way, when the two of you leave this office, you will be under threat of court-martial if you divulge anything.”
“If you want to keep this informal and under wraps, Drew,” Gupta said. “You better not start interrogating Calf Stealer again. He had to overcome a Hell of a lot of distrust in Earth humans to confide in me. Don’t mention the tribunals again, because if you do, I’ll instruct him not to say another word.”
“Understood,” Wilkes replied. “Nothing Calf Stealer says in this room will ever be mentioned again.”
Wilkes turned to Calf Stealer and asked, “Is it your opinion that Chamberlain never acted in concert with Yuen or the Ekkidans, and he had nothing to do with the massacre of Zunnuki people?”
“I am sure of it, Commodore,” Calf Stealer answered.
Wilkes followed up. Gupta remained at the ready to interrupt the questioning if necessary.
“What is it that makes you so certain of this,” Wilkes asked.
“I was one of the officers in Chamberlain’s resistance against General Dennis Yuen,” Calf Stealer answered.
“But, weren’t you also a willing participant in the raids on the Zunnuki cities,” Wilkes asked. “And, didn’t you also admit that you were responsible for the deaths of Zunnuki soldiers and civilians?”
“Don’t answer that just yet, Alphie,” Gupta commanded Calf Stealer. “I want to know why the commodore feels that is pertinent to this briefing.”
“No feline soldier will ever be court-martialed by the CEF for his or her participation in the raids,” Wilkes said. “That is in the treaty language, Vijay. The Zunnuki have seen to that. I only want to know that Calf Stealer is being completely truthful.”
Chamberlain's Folly (The Terra Nova Chronicles) Page 34