by H. T. Kofruk
Rick abruptly got up. “Walk with me, lieutenant.”
Though the botanical area wasn’t enormous, the paths were winding and designed to give the walkers maximum variety. An artificial breeze swept up scents of moisture and soil.
“You’ve been on this ship for three weeks now. Your information has been extremely interesting and you’ve painted the most complete picture to date of these aliens.”
“The Nikruk, sir” said Terry.
“Yes, the Nikruk. For all we know the Chinese could be using the synthetic version of this alien to conquer Earth as we speak” said Rick.
Terry nodded. “War probably broke out on Earth almost immediately after your attack was predicted and countered by the Chinese. That was already eight months ago and the enemy has probably already taken most of the Old Continent.”
“The Peace Alliance is probably under attack as well. I’m not sure what to make of their military capabilities on Earth. I just wish they’re enough to force the enemy to divert a good portion of their resources” said Rick.
The path was made of bio-plastic. Terry was tempted to take his shoes off and walk on the bare soil. After months with nothing but snow and ice, he appreciated the feel and smell of moist, healthy earth.
The pair had walked into the tropical section. Although he hadn’t noticed, Terry was sure that a containment curtain was drawn between the two sections to maintain their respective temperatures and humidity levels. The air was noticeably thicker with a muskier scent. The colourful flowers looked almost unnatural without their entourage of birds and monkeys. Rick reached up to a low-hanging branch of a fig tree and picked one of its ripe, violet fruits. He offered it to Terry who politely declined. Shrugging, the old officer ripped the fig into two and started eating the juicy sweet flesh.
“For all we know, the Sino-Orthodox alliance could already have taken London and Tai-pyoung” said Terry as they paused for the admiral to savour the fruit. “With most of our ground forces in Europe, the Americas won’t last long without space support.”
“So you are saying that since we’re still a couple months from a wormhole station that could ,of course, be destroyed or under different ownership, by the time we get there the war on Earth could already be over?” said Rick after throwing the pointy fig tufts into the soil.
Terry ducked under a low vine. “If the Chinese had an army of, say, two hundred thousand of those aliens, they could probably take Earth in a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had many more. The quicker they’re deployed, the less time the enemy will have to develop any tactics to counter them.”
“If we reach a functional station within two months, where do you think we should go?” asked Rick bluntly.
Terry was slightly taken aback by the question. Why was Rick questioning him on such an important issue? Terry was only a first lieutenant, not even senior enough to take part in battalion level strategy meetings. Didn’t the admiral have a host of majors, lieutenant colonels, colonels and sergeant-majors to advise him on this?
After some thought, he finally said “If Earth has already been taken while our navy is at only a fraction of its pre-war strength, then we have perhaps two options. First, we can go to the home planet of these aliens. From what I heard, they are linked to a certain tree and destroying all the trees will neutralise them. Second, we can go to the Carulio System. No one will touch us there, for obvious reasons.”
Rick looked thoughtful. “Given the fact that we only have a very rough idea where this Nikruk home planet is located, based on your memory of what their renegade leader showed on a star chart, you’re suggesting we go to the Carulio System.”
“Yes, sir”
“You do understand that if we don’t tread carefully, the Carulio System could be more dangerous than the entire Chinese Imperial Forces?”
“Yes, sir” repeated Terry.
The rest of the walk was done in silence with Terry slightly trailing the admiral who was deep in thought. Rick obviously knew the winding paths well and they soon arrived back at the bench where Rick had left his book. Terry picked it up and dusted it before handing it to the old sailor.
“Thank you, lieutenant” said Rick with a smile. “I want you on the next strategy meeting tomorrow.”
“Sir?” said Terry, his eyes reflecting his bewilderment.
“You heard me, Lieutenant. You currently have the most experience with this alien force and have survived against overwhelming odds. That shows initiative and guts.”
“And a lot of luck, might I add, sir.”
“If you have any more of that stuff, we’re sure going to need it” said Rick as he turned towards the exit.
“But strategic meetings are for O-4 and above, sir. I’m not sure the other officers will appreciate my presence, sir.”
Rick turned back his head and chuckled. “Well, you were already something of a celebrity before we fished you off that planet. Now, if anything, you’re even more. I’m promoting you to major, effective immediately.”
Terry was sure his shocked expression was pathetic. The admiral was promoting him two ranks! That was only done posthumously when a serviceman died.
“Sir, I…”
“I don’t want to hear a word, Major Southend” said Rick as he walked off. “I’ll see you at the strategy meeting tomorrow at O-seven-hundred.”
The following day, Terry made sure his rank insignia were straight before heading out to his first strategy meeting. At the end of the three hour meeting, he had somehow convinced the captain of the Red Sea and the commander of the Virgin Mary that they needed to go to the Carulio System in the event that the wormhole station fifty four light days away was still operational and not under Chinese or Orthodox control.
He hadn’t known how tense he was during the meeting but when he reached his small quarters, he heavily drank almost a half-gallon of water. In all frankness, he wasn’t even sure whether going to the dangerous Carulio System was the answer. Perhaps the Atlantic Alliance and Pacific Federation forces on Earth were doing much better than he had anticipated. Perhaps he had just led the crews of two navy warships to their destruction. Perhaps he had just practically saved the lives of five thousand crew members.
***
Two days later, he was sparring with an army staff sergeant in the ship gym. It was amazing what a regular balanced diet and a few good workouts could do to repair the damage of months of deprivation and stiff cold. Terry still felt he wasn’t at the same physical level as he had been before the ordeal on the freezing planet, but he was slowly getting there. The gym was also one of the only places where he wasn’t expected to talk much to the other personnel; after having spent months in the company of non-Atlantic people, he found conversing with his own compatriots had become a tiring, almost suffocating affair.
He finished the spar by almost knocking out the sergeant. After taking a quick cold shower, he went to Bongani and David’s quarter which was located not twenty feet from Terry’s own. The residence of the Afrikan couple in the quarters of a senior officer was not well viewed by many on the ship but Admiral Hernandez had insisted. Terry now found that they were his only real friends. On top of that, their extraordinary history together for the past few months gave them endless topics to talk about.
The door of the couple’s apartment turned transparent apart from a faint orange glow that indicated a light force field was activated. The towering figure of Bongani looked down on Terry with an impeccably white toothy grin.
“So you decided to spar with some other piss-pants? Did my beating give you too many flashbacks of losing?” said Bongani.
Terry twitched his head to loosen his neck muscles. A slight pain pinched him, reminding him of a vicious blow from the smuggler a few days ago during a spar. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you begging for mercy next time. You’ll be sorry that lucky blow hit home.”
The door slid open and the smell of marijuana made Terry wrinkle his nose. David was sitting on the bed with a bong f
ashioned out of machine parts on a low table. He grinned on seeing Terry.
“You still smoking that crap? How the hell did you come by any?” said Terry.
“Where there’s a will, there’s always weed, my friend” replied David. “My god requires me to smoke to his name, just as your god requires you to pray and drink wine and what not.”
Terry was amazed at the change in David. His previously hollow face had been reconstructed, covering the gaping hole in his cheek. The new baby skin was still tender, making it necessary to keep a regenerative tab on it. He still had trouble with his new tongue which made him slur his words more than before. Or maybe it was the drugs?
“I suppose you’re hungry?” said Terry.
“That’s one of the good things about this; it gives you an appetite” said David. “Come, have a puff.”
Terry declined. He had important news for the couple and needed both of them to be clear headed when he told them. He ushered them both to the dining facility where they found a table in a discreet corner.
Upon tasting the first bite of beef, Terry could tell that the meat had been synthesized by the ship’s nutrient production unit. He knew the protein composition would have been meticulously replicated and other important nutrients such as iron were reinforced. In reality, the bloody steak on his plate was better for him that any real steak cut from a freshly slaughtered cow. But he still didn’t like the characteristic chemical smell to it or the almost too-good-to-be-true tenderness. The potatoes and salad at least seemed to be fresh, perhaps cultivated in the automated culture unit next to the kitchen, which eliminated the necessity of space through simulating the perfect conditions for vegetable growth. On some days, the crewmembers would be lucky enough to eat vegetables grown the old fashioned way; in a garden. Some would argue it was essentially the same thing since the temperature, moisture level and soil nutrient levels were kept constant through artificial means. But Terry could tell whether a turnip or leak was grown in soil or in a culture unit.
After the meal and some tea, Terry made sure both of his friends were sober and attentive before inviting them to the privacy of his quarters. Bongani looked his normal, sharp self and David was losing his soporific expression. None of the other crewmembers on the ship knew of the decision taken at the strategy meeting but the smugglers’ role was too important to delay their knowledge. Once Terry told them of their decision to go to the Carulio System, they stared at him with unbelieving eyes.
“That’s the most stupid thing I have ever heard! This ship, no, not even two fleets of the AA’s finest ships can guarantee survival in the Carulio System. You know damned well what’s out there” exclaimed Bongani.
“I should also remind you that the nearest known wormhole station is quite a few parsecs from there. We’re going to a system that’s not just dangerous, it’s remote. What do you think to accomplish there?” joined in David whose eyes were intense with concern.
“It’s the only place in the Yinhexi where the Chinese or Orthodox won’t dare enter, not in full force at least. We have to assume that there’ll be no outside help and Earth is almost under Chinese rule” replied Terry coolly.
“But there are scores of Atlantic Alliance planets. Why not go to one of them to regroup? Or even a Pacific Federation planet?” said David.
“Every single one of them, and every wormhole station, mineral mine, major research facility and naval base is a target” said Terry.
“But why are we going to the Carulio System? There must be better options” continued David. Terry noticed his words were no longer slurred.
“Because we need a focal point for our forces and the Pacific’s. Right now, our forces are probably scattered throughout the galaxy with no central command. The Carulio System is the only place where it can be done incognito and safely” said Terry. “And it’s not ‘we’; I am going with the ship. You two are getting off.”
Bongani’s face turned stiff and he stared dangerously at Terry. “You’re abandoning us?”
Terry almost laughed. “No, you idiot. You have another mission. Both of you are Afrikan, and the Republic has probably stayed neutral. That means that neither of you are targets for the Chinese. You also have a much more extensive network of wormhole stations at your disposal than we have.”
Bongani started to understand what Terry was asking of them. “You want us to find your forces and send them to the Carulio System.”
Terry nodded. “Yes, that’s right. I’m sure you have contacts among the Chinese and Russians. Get us the men, the ships and the intelligence.”
“Terry, you’re asking a lot from us” said the old Berserker.
“I know. I’m asking you to unofficially aid the Atlantic Alliance. And yes, why should you?” he said as he glanced at his two dark-skinned companions. “Because I’m going to change it.”
The smugglers chuckled but soon realized that Terry was serious. “How?” asked David.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to break down this wall of bullshit. I’m going to convince men to join my cause to fight not only the Chinese, but this corrupt system we have in place. I’m even going to ask Russians and Chinese to join me, since their systems are just as corrupt and dirty as ours. I’m going change everything.”
Chapter 16: Sapling
‘The so-called democracy of the Pacific Federation is so farcical that it makes me laugh. Call them what you want, zaitbatsu, chaebol or kalipunan, those industrial families are the source of power within the Federation, not the individual votes at the ballot. No politician or military officer is free of the influence of these clans. No law is passed without their consent. Military conscription in our super-state was only put in place to provide two things; a stable client-base for weapons and cheap security for outer-space exploits. But when did you last hear of the scions of the Tri-Star Corporation, or Daihwa Biotech Industries serving in the army or navy?’ – Sally Tan-Sato, political activist, year 2669
It was the second time in the last year that Xiao had come to this messy fringe planet. The last time, continuous rain had threatened to ruin his operations. This time, the planet was blistering hot and moisture seemed almost non-existent in the air. When the pressure hatch to his personal shuttle opened, he almost gasped at the sudden heat and dryness. His throat and nostrils became dry and painful almost immediately. A eunuch quickly shuffled towards him and put a mask over his face that sheltered him from the harsh heat.
Colonel Ma, head scientist of the Nikruk program, had already been on the planet for a week and he bowed low in his atmospheric suit. “May you live ten thousand years, Your Highness.”
“I don’t remember this planet being this warm or dry, colonel” remarked Xiao.
“Yes, Your Highness. We believe that it is linked to the destruction of the enormous trees. The climate has become quite extreme and unstable without their moderating effect.”
Xiao nodded impatiently. “Where is the site?”
Colonel Ma gestured to the royal party to board a pulse glider. Xiao and two Shadows boarded the vehicle while four more of the imperial bodyguards positioned themselves behind the vehicle to follow at high-speed in their amplifier suits. Distortion in the air resembling a stream of clear water soon lifted the four ton vehicle and started towards the sun. In the horizon, the giant pink canopy of a Great Tree soon became visible, looking almost like a mirage in the intense dry heat.
“That’s the only one left, Your Highess” explained Colonel Ma on noticing the young emperor’s stares.
The formerly dark brown earth had taken on a lighter hue as it lost moisture and became hard and cracked. The sudden change in climate was evident in the volumes of dead, smouldering biomass; dead plants, trees and fish in dry rivers. Xiao could almost smell the stench of death through the reinforced glass. This planet is dying.
The lone Great Tree was the only life form that still seemed to be thriving in the extreme conditions. The bark was as dark as ever and the giant leaves, each one over
ten feet long and five feet wide, looked full of life and moisture even from a distance. As the glider drew closer, Xiao could see that the area surrounding the tree was still full of colour: purple, green, pink and red. Flowers, plants, and giant fungi grew healthily near the tree. Even the sky seemed bluer above it.
“The tree seems to have a life-sustaining factor on this planet, though we have yet to find out how it does it” explained Colonel Ma after taking off his helmet. His short hair was stuck to his skull from perspiration.
The recently promoted Colonel Bo, new head of the Shadows, looked silently outside with a curious expression.
“Fascinated, are you?” said Colonel Ma. Though the two were of the same rank, he had held the rank far longer and considered the chief Imperial bodyguard an upstart and certainly beneath him.
Colonel Bo didn’t seem to particularly appreciate the way Ma talked down to him. He simply smiled dangerously.
The glider stopped at a good distance from the giant pink tree at a titanium bunker covered with a wet-looking bio-rubber coating. Xiao exited the glider after putting his mask back on and his two bodyguards followed. The four Shadows who had come running in the amplifier suits materialized at either side of him, startling Colonel Ma. The highly advanced suits worn by the Shadows enabled them to be almost completely silent, even when running at high speed. A science officer opened the pressurized door at the arrival of the Imperial party and bowed low as Xiao entered with just the head Shadow and Ma.
The interior of the bunker was well lit and moisture levels and temperature were kept moderate. Xiao peeled off his mask once more and looked at the centre of the earthen floor.
“How long since it was planted?” he asked.
“It has been seventy-two hours, Your Highness” replied Ma.