MEEK

by Richard Johnson

  Mark shrugged and shook his head. “As far as I’m aware the only research going on is being done by the consortium and possibly the Japanese, everyone else is in kill-or-be-killed mode. I must admit, as much as I like and admire Richard and Kana the thought of sending an expedition to Mars in the middle of all this turmoil seems bizarre.”

  “It’s fine by me,” said Paul. “Baz will tell you it’s good politics, though. An Ozzie will be among the crew, just a token Ozzie but the world will say ‘Aren’t they all supposed to be dead, what are they doing on Mars? Didn’t we just kick those redneck losers out of the UN?’ What are their chances of this mission being successful, Mark?”

  “I believe they are going to be successful PM; they aren’t the types who fail. Their star wars system will be completed well ahead of schedule also. It would not be able to stop a full-out multilaunch missile attack against us, but it can destroy any ten cities you wish to point the bone at and they will be powerless to stop that happening.”

  “Let us hope I am never placed in that position.”

  Mark and Barry met for their usual post-PM pub chat. Barry said, “You know he would unhesitatingly push the red button, mate. What would we be talking two, three, or four million, dead?”

  “The consortium do not want any retaliation. Their system is a once-off, it will saturate huge areas with warheads, rendering any enemy impotent, so the answer to your question is hundreds of millions. I’m afraid if it comes down to nuclear strikes against this country then once the satellites are in place, it would be the destruction of all Islamic nations. A planet-wide calamity that could send the unprepared nations back to the Stone Age, if we are lucky.”

  “Maybe we should put our names down for a trip to Mars?” said Barry.

  “Seriously Mark, why do you think the consortium and Japan want so badly to go to Mars? They have poured buckets of cash into it. yet it can’t be impressing shareholders.”

  “I think the motivation is to gain a technological advantage so large as to distance them from any future interference from government or religious sources. Big business is looking to call the shots in the future, Baz. They treat all except us and Japan with a contempt that does not bode well for democracy. Paul needs to keep that in mind when dealing with the Consortium. Japan has basically the same motivation plus they will get political mileage both in the UN and domestically when they pull it off.”

  “You really sound convinced they are going to pull it off, Mark.”

  “Oh yes, these blokes mean business, We may think Paul Simpson is a hard nut but the consortium will definitely mean the end of two-dollars-each-way politicians. Politicians will just be corporate servants. Not only will they land on Mars, they will claim all the real estate. They plan to control us from Mars, Baz, it’s their hidden agenda I believe.”

  “Have you talked to the PM about this, Mark?”

  “I touched on it. He took a ‘got enough to deal with right now and we need them’ attitude. It’s fair enough under the circumstances. To be honest Baz, everywhere you look there is so much shit going on I don’t see any real way to avoid living in a world that makes me despair of humanity’s inability to be humane.”

  “Cheer up cobber, we will get Oz back on its feet and keep democracy alive.”

  “If you say so, Baz. At least the southern hemisphere seems to be getting behind us. South and Central America are in constant trade and arms negotiations with us.”

  His plane thumped the runway and Mark was back at the launch facility. Kana and three of her assistants came out to meet him. “Hello Mark, welcome back. You are in time to see a dry run of the landing procedure, it will be fun to watch.” It was, he was taken for a one-hour drive where three mock modules had ‘landed’. The crews were in the process of assembling the component parts dressed in space suits. It was remarkably quick and a low building the size of a suburban house was constructed in less than two hours. A solar panel array and a wind turbine were the last features plus a carport for two all-terrain vehicles. Mark noted that the number of crew had been increased: there were four Japanese, six consortium and two Australians. It made the initial setting up of the base far more efficient.

  The next day Mark was informed that a launch date had been set for the middle of next year. The counter-attack satellites would be in position in four months and fully operational. Mark rang Barry with the news.

  “Thank God for that, I’ll chat to the PM.” He rang Mark back an hour later. “The PM wants to know if you could stage a demonstration once they are in position. A shot across the bows sort of demonstration would be nice.”

  “I’ll talk to the people here and get back to you, Baz.”

  “A demonstration? Like what?” asked Richard.

  “I thought maybe you could sink a ship in the Red Sea or something equally visible,” said Mark.

  “I can do that but we have only built ten. They are a one-shot only thing. They launch multiple warheads at a concentrated target. Then that’s it, a bit like one blast from a very large shotgun. Each one has a defensive seeker missile designed to protect it. This could be directed at a communications satellite. The plan is to choose targets that will explode, massively, the initial spread of missiles would be more effective therefore against arms caches. Once you fire from one installation it’s pretty useless afterward except for its defensive missile. That means a demonstration will bring you down to nine targets only. Are you OK with that? The attacking satellite will need to be informed if it is to fire or hold on to its defensive missile, as well”

  “I’ll get back to you. I think I’d better discuss this with the PM in person. He obviously needs to give you target co-ordinates in the event of another attack.”

  “Yes, as soon as possible please. Give him my best wishes and impress on him the level of destruction requires a firm decision taking into account the full consequences, politically, ecologically and sociologically.”

  This time it was a round table conference in the strategic planning room, Barry and the PM, Jack and Daniel together with a good sprinkling of top brass from the armed services were sitting around the table. The PM spoke first. “Professor, I have decided not to do a demonstration kill. I feel squandering ten percent of our retaliatory potential would be unadvisable. These gentlemen suggest that announcing our capacity may provoke a pre- emptive strike. I was hoping to scare them off with the demonstration but I now concur with my military advisors. We have selected ten key targets, all heavily populated cities. They will be destroyed one at a time with fifteen minute intervals to allow time for the enemy to capitulate. The final target will be Mecca. They will be informed of our intentions and told to evacuate the cities one hour before the first city is erased. The controls for firing are to be housed at six locations widely dispersed throughout the continent. Nine others apart from myself will be authorised to fire the satellites. You will need to coordinate this with the Consortium. Enemy communications satellites will also be targeted. We are preparing for a nuclear attack as we speak. Let us hope that common sense will prevail.”

  There was a rumble of assent from around the table. A general stood up and pulled out a piece of paper from which he read, once he found his reading glasses:

  “Prime Minister, gentlemen. The present military situation is as follows. The islands of PNG and Bouganville are in enemy control, they are building a long range missile base in Port Moresby. Timor is still in enemy hands. The Torres Strait Islands change hands on a regular basis. We lost Christmas Island last week. Attempts to land intelligence sorties on our soil have been ongoing but unsuccessful. An air attack on the Tiwi Islands was repelled with large losses to the enemy and few to us. We are concentrating on attacking Port Moresby and destabilising the situation there. New Zealand commando units are sabotaging enemy emplacements on Bougainville. Covert operations and random bombings have helped slow their industrial production.” He sat down.

  The PM spoke again. “In essence we have contained the enemy lon
g enough to make it possible by using just one satellite to destroy Jakarta and removing their ability to communicate using missiles to take back all lost territory. This would possibly provoke a nuclear attack. Gentlemen, the other option is to attempt to gain back our lost territory by conventional warfare which as you are all aware we are not having much success with due to the sheer numbers of combatants the enemy can muster. Are there any suggestions, gentlemen?”

  A major standing at the side of one of the generals whispered in the general;s ear. “My aide has put forward a suggestion. If we opt for another push we should open up a second front to stretch their resources first.”

  The PM addressed the young major directly. “Where would you suggest we open a second front?”

  “Borneo, Brunei, Aceh or the Southern Philippines, preferably with Sino/Japanese support and if the Philippinos can be encouraged to harass their former southern provinces, it would also be helpful. The satellite array could then be used only if all else is failing.” The PM started to pace the room and the room was buzzing. Mark looked at Barry who shook his head. The end result was that proposals were to be put forward using either scenario or a combination of the two. They would meet again in one month.

  In the pub, Barry put the beer on the table and said, “A bit hawkish for you, Mark?”

  “That’s an understatement Baz; he rushes everything too fast. I feel like we have handed him an axe and he immediately started looking for a head to cut off.” Barry took a long drink. “Yes, I must admit they got me scared with their gung ho. But that young major had a good argument, don’t you think?”

  “I really don’t know, Baz. It’s like we are all getting swept down a river to the waterfall. After all things are not exactly going well for the Islamics; they are the victims of most terrorist attacks, now. Russia and China are being forced to co-operate more, which has placed even more pressure on them. Australia is in a better position now than it ever was even without the array. Japan is happy to wade in whenever it sees a national advantage. African Muslims are starving to death due to the war effort from South Africa. No need to be hasty. The game is swinging against them. The trick is going to be to move carefully so as not to corner the rat.”

  “So what’s your proposal, Mark?”

  “To be frank, Baz, it’s do nothing for a few months, just consolidate and contain.”

  “It’s going to take some time before anything happens anyway. The array has to be operational and alliances would have to be formed. It would be a logistical nightmare to create two fronts if they chose that option. However, I must say I think it would have a good chance of success,” said Barry.

  “Yes I agree, another front almost in their heartlands would stretch them very nicely and take a lot of pressure off us. See if you can encourage Paul to go that way, Baz.”

  Mark gave a full and unabridged report to Kana and Richard including his conversation with Barry. Kana expressed her opinion that Japan would not commit to assisting a second front, they were focused on direct protection of assets not full scale expeditionary forces. China would need to persuade Japan, but it was possible Japan would listen. Australia was not a big enough player to do it alone. Mark and Richard agreed with her. “Any way,” said Richard. “Our job is to get the array in orbit so we can get on with the really interesting stuff. What you fellows point it at doesn’t really concern the consortium. If it did we would quickly tell you.” Kana said she would prefer to avoid making any personal comment and saw it as the responsibility of the Japanese and Austrailian governments to negotiate.

  CHAPTER SIX

  August 2027 ALL SET TO GO

  The array was in place and functional. The PM and the military breathed a sigh of relief. The second front option had run into trouble. Negotiations with Japan and China were stalled. China was unhappy about easing off the conflict on its borders to engage in what it saw as a side-show, especially as its main game was starting to pay off with Russia’s help. The Philippines, who had been hard pressed to control insurgents in the south, were happy with the idea of getting some assistance and were prepared to provide a large army if someone else picked up the bill. The consortium was approached and they agreed to supply arms and equipment to the Philippines. Paul Simpson saw a window of opportunity slipping away from his grasp and was tempted to open the second front using Philippine and New Zealand troops with no intention other than to draw troops away from Papua New Guinea and into the Mindanao region. Indecision ruled the day, with no one willing to commit.

  Mark had been trying to relax at Barry’s farm for a couple of weeks before going back to observe the Mars launch. He liked it there a lot as it had many fond memories for him. He slept in the bed where he had first made love to Toni, it was a bittersweet thing and he was able to shed some tears and let some pain wash away with them. Barry and Barbara understood that he was starting to internalise what had happened to him and gave him plenty of space and time to walk around and remember. Barry caught Barbara shedding some sympathetic tears once. “They were perfect, you know what I mean Barry? I really don’t know how he has coped.”

  “He is keeping very, very busy; this is the first time I have really seen him confront it, it’s taken more than three years to get him to this stage. He still has a way to go yet, Barb.”

  “He seems to be OK though, eh Barry? I mean, not suicidal or anything like that?”

  “No, love. He isn’t the type. I think he put it in a box for a couple of years, the old too hard basket. But now he is starting to allow himself to remember.”

  “I just hope remembering doesn’t break his heart,” said Barbara.

  “Oh, I think his heart is well and truly broken Barb, it will take a miracle to put that back together again.”

  Barry and Mark returned together for the launch. The PM and everybody who was anybody was there also. The crew were kept well away from everyone; this was a secret mission, no mainstream media were aware of the launch. If Richard and Kana were stressed, they certainly were not showing it. In fact the whole show was looking like a routine rehearsal right up until the voice from the launch pad said, “Control, this is Nirvana. All crew in position all systems functioning; Requesting instructions.” Richard and Kana were standing side by side. They were strictly observers, saying nothing. They probably had ceased breathing at this point. “All systems are green here, you have permission to ignite at the zero. Bon Voyage.” A panel lit up over the observation window: 20, the countdown had begun. At , a white cloud rose up from the tail of the rocket and for a moment it disappeared from view. The Nirvana rose into the sky screaming its power at the earth, defying its hold. It was huge and frightening to behold. The observers were awestruck by the improbability of this monster streaking into the sky. No one dared to speak, Nirvana had gone out of sight and all that could be heard were personnel reading and reporting incoming data. To Mark it sounded like they were praying and this was a temple. Richard and Kana were the priests presiding over an offering to Science.

  Long minutes went past.

  “Nirvana here, we have achieved orbit and are ready to disengage from orbit in approximately twelve minutes.” People were starting to breathe and smile. Then the message they all wanted so much to hear came through:

  “Orbital gravity thrust complete, we have disengaged from orbit. Good bye Earth.”

  The observers went wild. The people at the various panels kept reading and mumbling like altar boys, but the congregation had reached ecstasy. Mark saw Richard and Kana kissing passionately, people were dancing and literally jumping for joy. He felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness sweep over him. It was so intense he felt dizzy and the need to vomit. Barry saw Mark’s distress and ran to him and half carried him into the men’s room. Mark vomited once, washed his face and lent against the sink looking at himself in the mirror. Barry said nothing, just waited.

  “It was the people, the emotion, I couldn’t handle it. I can’t explain,” whispered Mark hoarsely.

&nbs
p; “You don’t need to explain it, but when or if you want to talk about it, just take me to a pub and buy the first round.”

  Mark smiled sheepishly, feeling exposed. “You really are a good diplomat Baz, and a good friend... Let’s go and have some champagne with the others.” The turmoil had subdued and people were trying to look professional again. Nirvana was on her way and two other craft were due to enter Mars orbit in two months’ time. They contained the habitation modules and the all-terrain vehicles. Nirvana was the important one as it not only contained the humans but also their life support equipment. A fourth and fifth support craft would be sent over the next twelve months. Nirvana was due to go into orbit around Mars in February . Mark and Barry returned to Canberra. Mark was given a desk and an office and was told to report to the PM. The PM had aged. Mark found it impossible to imagine what life was like in his shoes.

  “Professor, a very interesting situation has developed. Research and development virtually ceased in the Americas five years ago. After we pushed the Islamic confederation off our soil we started getting requests by US citizens to settle here. They are good quality, so we are making them welcome. ASIO does the usual checking but we have found an increasing amount of them are disgruntled scientists and medical researchers. That’s where you come in. I want you to assess their expertise and place them where they will do us the most good. What do you think? Want the job?”

  “Yes PM, it sounds right up my street,” Mark replied without hesitation

  “At this stage you will be processing about four per week but they are starting to flood in, so expect to have to process triple that number in a month’s time. You do not need to do any security checks, just look at their credentials as researchers. Put them anywhere you like including the military. Some are actually requesting that they serve in the armed forces. The disillusionment has been building up with the de facto theocracy in the US.”