“I’m afraid so. What I was wondering is if I can get this clown, fronting for them, to contact this royal family while I’m standing there, can you trace it in progress?”
“Sure, I can let you know when I lock on,” Dougherty confirmed.
“Good,” Jake replied. “We could just hunt them down, but this way will carry a little more drama to it. I just wanted to know if you had a problem with carrying it out.”
“If you’re worried about my mental health, Jake, I’ll wire the trigger to go through you,” Dougherty chuckled.
“You can do that?”
“Oh, hell yea,” Dougherty answered smugly. “I’ll let you know when I am locked, and you hit the switch.”
“I like it,” Jake mused. “Fix me up, my good man. I’m going down to make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
Jake stood by the hatch with a squad of Marines standing near him in full battle gear, led by now Gunnery Sergeant Vic McClure. As the hatch hissed open, they could see Marines lined up from the Drop Ship to the entrance of the building, where Jake was to meet with the Saudi royal family representative.
“You know, Sir,” McClure whispered. “This still could be a trap.”
Jake smiled at the new Marine Sergeant. “It’s possible, Vic, but I don’t think they want to pay that kind of price. Even if they did, they would have to live through Lieutenant Dougherty’s scan guided fire.”
“Yes Sir, I’m just worried about the openness of this meeting,” McClure continued. “It would seem everyone on the planet knows when and where you’re coming in. Not a good thing in the middle of an enemy camp, Sir.”
“Noted, Gunny,” Jake replied. “Shall we just open up, waste everyone, and let God sort them out later?”
The rest of the squad heard Jake’s offer, and on top of the laughter, there were a few offers to get it started. McClure grinned. “I see what you mean, General. I guess it would not be conducive to continued trade relations.”
“Don’t worry, Vic,” Jake said, stepping out onto the ramp, as hundreds of Marines outside snapped to attention, and a dull roar from the thousands in attendance increased in volume. “I have a little surprise for them I think you’ll like.” He shouted back over his shoulder.
Majors Mercer and Johnson met Jake at the bottom of the ramp. They saluted, and as Jake returned it, McClure motioned the platoon to surround the group. Five of the Marines in the platoon had been with Mercer when they went into Earth Command Headquarters. They were killers, and their only job in reference to General Matthews was to kill anything threatening his life.
“You have any good ideas, Jake?” Mercer asked. “Jack and I are tired of this diplomacy crap.”
“I think I have a solution worked out, which should get us past this impasse very nicely,” Jake replied.
“The back of my neck tingles when you start using words like impasse, brother,” Mercer observed, as Johnson controlled his urge to laugh.
“I think I resent that, Charlie,” Jake said, pretending to be hurt. “When have I acted hastily on this mission?”
“Ah, what about the handle of your Gear knife protruding from General Hassan’s forehead, Sir?” Johnson offered, coming back to attention, as Jake glared over at him.
“Jack, that was.”
“Another impasse?” Mercer finished innocently, also standing at attention again.
Jake lost it first, and then the two Majors, followed by the platoon around them, who had been listening to the exchange intently. As Jake struggled for control, he could hear Dougherty at his Fire Control station, and the Bridge of the Intrepid, laughing in his ear.
“Lead the way, will you?” Jake said, pushing Mercer ahead of him. “Let’s get the entertainment started.”
A group of men in civilian garb met them inside the small auditorium sized building. They preceded Jake and his group into a conference center, where a plain, rectangular table had been placed in the center of the room. Enough utility type chairs to seat twenty people were arranged around it. Marines surrounded the perimeter of the room in full battle dress.
Mercer indicated the medium height, lean, hawkish looking man in front of the group meeting them. “General, let me introduce you to Mr. Akim Bottani. He replaced Teacupi Atton as a representative of the Sudan region.”
Jake shook the man’s hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Sir. How areyou?”
“Very well, my General,” Bottani answered, as he smiled warmly, his dark face crinkled genuinely in a welcoming manner. “My people, and my fellow delegates, are most happy with trade terms presented to us.”
“My Chief of Staff has told me of a problem concerning the delegate from the Saudi Royal Family. Is he here?”
Bottani’s face darkened at the reference to the Royal Family. “He will be here soon, my General. He gave orders for us to send word to him when you arrived, and were in the room.”
Jake laughed, which confused everyone. “No offense, Mr. Bottani, but does this man think we are playing games?”
Bottani smiled, realizing how the situation must appear to Jake. “Nothing of reality exists outside the Royal Family, Sir, at least to them.”
Jake nodded. “Why are the other members of this group even listening to the Royal Family? You would be better off cutting ties to them.”
“Would that we could,” Bottani replied, the sadness in his voice obvious. “They are very powerful. After you leave, we will still be here, and so will the Royal Family. Their Wahabbi sect employs many mercenaries.”
Jake looked at Mercer and Johnson, a dawning realization flowing between the men. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” Jake observed.
“Let’s be seated, gentlemen,” Mercer gestured. “We’ll talk over a few things before Mr. Bin Ali decides to join us.”
Jake sat at the head of the table with Mercer and Johnson on either side of him. “I also understand one of the most loyal friends of the United States has never been allowed to sit in on the Council of the former Earth Command. The President instructed me to make sure the region of Israel be represented from now on.”
This caused an undercurrent of excited whispers. Bottani motioned his comrades to silence. “Hatreds, centuries old, caused the Israeli’s exclusion. If not for the United States, Israel would have been destroyed by now. We, at the table now, are weary of the regional wars. Your President’s request will be honored, if some arrangements can be made with the Saudi’s. Their hold over Earth Command prevented Israel from joining us. We here have never understood the United States reluctance to be a more forceful presence. Your change of direction is most welcome.”
“Thank you,” Jake replied. “You have been made aware of, I understand, the trouble in the colonies.”
“Yes General,” Bottani said excitedly. “We all witnessed your exploits in these very dangerous Bug Wars, as you call them.”
“Yes, well actually Sir, the most dangerous aspect of these wars has come to light recently. We have a military base on Omaha, triangulating the jump gate used by the Aliens to enter the quadrant. Once this threat can be investigated, and some resolution of the situation is achieved, we see prosperity ahead of us.”
“As our envoys explained, the Colonists need a myriad of goods. Free trade will elevate your countries to new heights. For your part, all regions must be made ready to implement some aspects of a free capitalist society. Ownership of property, and the right of individuals to retain the fruits of their labor within some form of a free enterprise system will be vital. Your situations will be monitored closely. No longer will mass exploitation be permitted. The United States will simply withdraw from lucrative trade with regions unwilling to adapt. Your regions may choose to retain your dictatorships, where a few men in power rob the people of their way out of poverty. We will not do business with them.”
“We understand, General,” Bottani agreed. “These changes will be very difficult, but our present situation is intolerable. Of that, we here are in agreement.”
“Many members of
the old European Union have fallen into an almost feudal type system. The United Arab Emirate will no longer be allowed to isolate and exclude these nations any longer,” Jake added. “We will all be in this new paradigm, or the nations not participating will be allowed to collapse of their own stupidity. If they cause trouble for the others, they will be stopped. I.”
The doors were thrown open, and half a dozen soldiers stormed into the room, surrounding a man in white flowing robes, with traditional Arab headdress. McClure’s squad, backed up by the Marines at the room perimeter near the entrance, stopped them.
“Out of the way, lout,” the lead soldier yelled, advancing on McClure, who stood at the head of his squad. “Make way for Prince Bin Ali.”
McClure smashed the butt of his particle beam rifle into the soldier’s face, and blew the head off the soldier next to the falling man, who had swung his rifle towards McClure. The rest of the soldiers were disarmed and thrown to the floor.
“What is the meaning of this assault? Lower your weapons,” the man referred to as Prince Bin Ali screamed, his long, full beard quivering as he shook his arms in rage.
McClure leveled his particle beam rifle directly at Bin Ali’s head, quieting the man instantly. McClure glanced towards Jake, and said one word. “Sir?”
Jake nodded at Mercer, who walked over to stand next to McClure and folded his arms over his chest. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Saudi Royal Family dog.”
Fear had come into Bin Ali’s eyes as he had watched Mercer’s approach. Bin Ali had witnessed Mercer in action before.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Mercer asked. “You’re all lucky not to be dead. You give no orders here, dog. These men kill at my command. Now shut up, and come over to the table before I have Sergeant McClure give you an attitude adjustment.”
His bluster ploy having failed, Bin Ali followed Mercer to the meeting table. Jake stood as the man approached with Mercer and McClure flanking him. When Bin Ali started to speak, Jake held up his hand. “First things first,” Jake said. “Vic, put this man down and make sure he isn’t carrying any surprises.”
“But Gen.,” Bin Ali began.
McClure leg whipped him roughly to the floor on his back. With one hand, McClure patted down the groaning delegate. Flipping him over, McClure finished his frisk, and yanked Bin Ali to his feet. McClure snapped to attention and saluted.
“He’s clean Sir, in a manner of speaking.”
Jake smiled and returned McClure’s salute, as Mercer guffawed at McClure’s subtle quip. “Thanks Vic, rejoin your squad.”
Jake walked around the upset Saudi with his hands clasped behind his back, much to Mercer’s continued amusement.
“This is the dog of the Saudi Royal Court, Jake, Prince Bin Ali,” Mercer said, waving at him disdainfully.
“My representatives here said you have single handedly halted Earth Command’s unconditional surrender terms,” Jake stated. “Is this true?”
“I am a delegate of the Saudi Royal Family, and am trying to negotiate on their behalf,” Bin Ali complained, some of his bluster returning.
“What part of unconditional don’t you understand?” Jake asked.
“Surely you realize the enormity of a transfer of power such as this,” Bin Ali continued.
Jake stopped pacing leisurely around the Prince. “What transfer of power? Earth Command is dead. We buried it under its headquarters.”
“Such a tragedy can cause an upheaval in this region. You will need the Saudi Royal Family to help you maintain order,” Bin Ali argued, gesturing with his hands, as if he held the key to it.
Jake rubbed his chin, and glanced at Mercer who was grinning. “Perhaps you’re right. I would hear such a thing from this Royal Family of yours.”
“It cannot be done, General. The Royal Family cannot journey forth in such barbaric times.”
“Well, use your resources here, and gather them together. I will have a com unit brought in here with a vid screen. I will speak with them face to face.”
The rest of the delegates shifted uneasily at this turn of events. Bottani started to speak, and then looked at the headless corpse near the entrance. He remained silent.
Bin Ali smiled. “Of course, General, I will contact them immediately.”
Jake turned to Mercer. “Charlie, take the Prince out, and see he gets connected with his people.”
“Right away, Jake,” Mercer said, as he gave Bin Ali a grandiose wave towards the entrance.
Jake turned to Major Johnson. “Jack, take some Marines, and get a portable vid com unit off my Drop Ship, and bring it here.”
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
Jake watched Johnson point to a few men to go with him, and then Jake went to sit at the table again.
“They will betray you, my General,” Bottani stated softly. “Please do not be offended, but Bin Ali is, how do you say, ahhh.eating your lunch.”
Jake laughed. “I see you have been hanging around my Chief of Staff too long. Don’t worry, all will be clear soon, and we will be right back on track.”
“As you say, Sir,” Bottani said doubtfully.
By the time Mercer returned with Bin Ali, Johnson had a portable vid com unit set up near the delegation table. Jake indicated for Bin Ali to begin. The Saudi went over and sat down. A few minutes later, Jake could see a group of men sitting leisurely within a palatial setting.
Jake joined Bin Ali in front of the monitor. “Introduce us.”
As Bin Ali began introducing the Saudi Royals, Jake listened to Dougherty’s voice in his ear. “Almost there, Jake. Here we go, three., two., one. The Eagle flies at your command.”
“Thanks, Tim,” Jake said out loud, interrupting the introductions. “Sorry to shut off this exchange of pleasantries, but I wish to speed this up just a bit. You’ve all heard the terms of unconditional surrender. Will you accept them and withdraw from any further actions, halting this procedure?”
The bearded man, in the forefront, visibly bristled at Jake’s words and looked back at the rest of the people in the room in anger before turning back to the screen. “You called us together for this…this outrage?”
“Just yes or no will do,” Jake explained. “Forget the arm waving and finger pointing. Will you comply or not?”
“We most definitely will not,” the man said angrily. “Do not call us again for this idiocy.”
“Very well,” Jake shrugged. He took the slim device out of his tunic pocket, Dougherty had given him earlier, and pressed on the panel Dougherty had told him to press.
Ten seconds later, the room on the screen vaporized, as did the connection. Dougherty had instructed Jake on the fact everything in a five hundred yard area would be wiped out when he pressed the detonator. Bin Ali stared at the screen in horror, and the other delegates blanched at the destruction they witnessed for but a split second. Bin Ali spun from the screen, his face contorted in rage.
“What have you done?” He screamed. “What have you done?”
“I relieved the world of the Saudi Royal Family,” Jake said simply.
“Murderer! You are a monster,” Bin Ali continued to scream. He advanced on Jake, shaking his fist. “You will not get away with this massacre. I will.”
Mercer, who had been following the action closely, reached out one hand and yanked Bin Ali back off his feet by his headdress. Mercer walked around the now groaning delegate, who was writhing on the floor where he had landed on his hip. “Calm down, little Prince. Think before you speak again. You will have a chance to save your entire region from sharing the same fate as your buddies on the screen.”
“You will be held personally responsible for any other trouble in your home region,” Jake added. “I am sending you back to the Saudi region with this warning: abide by the terms already presented to you, or die. There will be no more warnings. A ship will fly over your homeland if you cause trouble, and remove it from this dimension. Do you understand now?”
Bin Ali had sat up a
s Jake spoke. “There are millions of people in my homeland. You would not dare.”
“I not only will dare,” Jake interrupted, “I will pick out another city, have my ship broadcast a picture of it on the vid screen here, and then I will have them turn it into a pile of ash. We are not playing games anymore. Would you like another demonstration?”
Mercer pulled the stunned Saudi to his feet, where he stared at Jake in disbelief, as he struggled to stand up straight. “I will take your message back, and then I will gather my people together. We will have our revenge. They will hear of this travesty. Nothing will be safe for your precious America. I.”
Jake drew his sidearm, and blew a neat little hole through Bin Ali’s forehead. Bin Ali’s mouth tried to form another word, but he simply crumpled to the floor. Jake turned to Mercer then. “Charlie, bring over those soldiers who came in with this retard.”
Mercer nodded, with a grin. A moment later, the squad of Saudi soldiers who had accompanied Bin Ali into the room were standing in front of Jake, looking uneasily at the dead body of Bin Ali. Mercer had brought along McClure and his squad. Jake gestured at the now fallen Prince.
“I need another volunteer to take back our message to the Saudi region,” Jake said. “The Prince here didn’t want to follow instructions. Did you all see what happened to the Royal Family?”
The soldiers nodded fearfully.
“Good,” Jake went on. “Any of you think I won’t do it to your entire region if your people do not abide by my instructions?”
There were energetic, negative shaking heads to answer Jake’s question.
“Well,” Jake said with a smile, “you men may be able to save a lot of lives. I will send a Drop Ship and a couple of envoys with your squad. If I have any more trouble from your region, I will have your cities, one at a time, obliterated until the trouble stops. Any questions?”
“No, my General,” the man in front said quickly. “We understand your words.”
Jake nodded. “Alright then. Jack, would you take a company sized force, along with two of our envoys, and take these men home with the good news. Keep in touch with the Intrepid. Any small arms fire, or even rock throwing, and I want you to get back on the Drop Ship. Call it in to the Intrepid, and let them make another example.”
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