by Ken Lozito
Michael had been informed yesterday of the procedures the Boxans had authored. They were meant to be used as a guideline to help the ECF maximize their use of Boxan technology, but the procedures themselves had been in development for a long time. Michael knew that Scraanyx was "just" a strike commander, which was essentially like a captain in the ECF. The job Scraanyx had been called to do would ordinarily have been done by someone else, like Battle Leader Prax'Pedax, who had sacrificed himself to protect Earth.
"General Sheridan wanted me to ask if you would consider accompanying him to address the United Nations," Michael said.
The Boxans had been reluctant to return to Earth because of what had happened months ago. The presence of the Xiiginns had made them redouble their efforts to get the ECF up and running, and they’d provided guidance on how to hunt the Xiiginns. It wasn't as if they didn't want to go down to the planet, but they felt that the risk was too great for them.
"We’ll take every precaution to ensure your safety, but General Sheridan believes your presence would lend credence to your request," Michael continued.
Scraanyx glanced at Chazen, who said, "It's a Human thing."
Michael smiled. "Many people are extremely aware that you are, in fact, here, but there's a difference between knowing that something exists and seeing it firsthand. I think that if you go down to Earth with General Sheridan, it would help him get support and approval to let you go home."
Scraanyx took a few moments to consider what Michael had said. "Inform General Sheridan that I will consider his request as long as I am able to bring my own protection. No fewer than twelve Boxans will accompany me to the surface of the planet."
"I understand, and I’ll let him know your requirements," Michael replied.
Scraanyx left the room, but Chazen lingered behind.
"You're almost home, or at least back among your own species," Michael said.
"It’s been so long that I almost don't remember it. Sethion, our homeworld, is lost to us, but I still dream about it sometimes. That must seem strange to you," Chazen said.
Michael shook his head. "I don't think so. I don't know anyone who's been through what you’ve had to endure—living for so many years in isolation, even with stasis. I don't know anyone else who could've survived. I want you to know I'll do everything I can to help get you home. It's the least I can do," Michael said.
He wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for Chazen. They'd been stranded for months together at the Boxan monitoring station on Pluto. Michael remembered waiting and hoping for a rescue that ultimately never came. They'd had to construct a life pod for themselves and then open a small wormhole to put them near Earth. Of all the Boxans Michael had come to know these past few months, none of them were as important to him as Chazen.
"I know you will," Chazen said solemnly.
Michael left the Boxan living area and returned to the main ECF complex. He was late for his next meeting, but he was sure General Sheridan would understand.
Michael made his way to the large conference room where General Sheridan's final strategy meeting before heading back to Earth was already underway. Michael walked in and quickly made his way toward a seat that was reserved for him. The conference room was occupied by the ECF senior staff. Michael recognized Gary Hunter, who had joined the ECF from NASA. There were so many other familiar faces around the large table. In particular, he noted that General Shang, China's representative in the ECF, was also in attendance. Kyle had once told Michael that General Sheridan initially refused China's proposed candidate, who was part of their concession for supporting the ECF. Eventually, General Sheridan relented in order to allow the ECF to get off the ground with the support it needed.
"The proposed emissary envoy will be met with a lot of resistance. Many will argue against sending an envoy to the Confederation because it's beyond the ECF's mandate, which is to protect the earth," General Shang said.
General Sheridan looked at Colonel Matthews.
"I agree. The United Nations won't go along with this. I've spoken to several US representatives with experience in coordinating both military and civilian response, and when they weigh the Boxans' request against the safety of the planet, essentially Earth comes first," Colonel Matthews replied.
General Sheridan looked at Michael. "What do you think the Boxans would do if we refused their request or, to put it more diplomatically, delayed the request for a time?"
"It's tough to say. The Boxans are extraordinarily patient, but everyone has their limits. How would you react knowing that after so many years of war there was to be a major offensive that would forever impact the fate of your species? I wouldn't want to back them into a corner like that, and frankly, it wouldn't be fair to them," Michael replied.
General Sheridan nodded. "Neither would I. It sounds as if they've been backed into a corner for a long time, and they aren't strangers to taking action when they need to. I don't want to put them in that position." General Sheridan looked around at those sitting at the conference table. "Mr. Hunter, can you give me the status of your team's analysis of the Mardoxian message?"
Gary cleared his throat. "The warning was pretty clear. I conferred with the Boxans about the dangers the Star Shroud shield poses. If the Confederation Armada were to arrive here and start bombarding the shield, we don't think it would simply collapse. We think it would constrict faster while trying to maintain its integrity. This would accelerate the destruction of the solar system as we know it. Inside the Mardoxian message was a shutdown protocol that pertains to the Star Shroud devices. The protocol is different from what the Boxans use to manage the Star Shrouds, but they've informed us that the Star Shrouds are based on another species’ technology that was even more advanced than the Boxans are. We think this shutdown protocol is based on this elder species' technology."
"Elder species?" General Sheridan asked.
"The Boxans call them the Drar," Gary replied.
"Is there any way for us to test whether this shutdown protocol actually works?" General Sheridan asked.
"We don't have the resources to test it. We would need to build an actual Star Shroud device, which even the Boxans don't have the knowledge to do, so there’s no test we can run," Gary said.
"Does the message say who created the protocol?" General Sheridan asked.
"The Boxans confirmed it wasn't them," Gary replied.
Michael caught General Sheridan's attention, and the general nodded for Michael to speak. "It has to be Zack Quick, General."
"I've heard an awful lot about this Mr. Quick. Edward Johnson speaks highly of him, and I know you have a high opinion of his technical capabilities, but even if this came from him, can we trust that it will work?" General Sheridan asked.
"General, I've worked with Zack, and if there's anyone who can figure out how alien technology works, it's him. Given the amount of time he's been around Boxan technology, I don't think it's too far a stretch that he's been able to utilize what he's learned and apply it in such a way as this," Michael replied.
"Whether or not we trust who created the shutdown protocol isn’t important," General Shang said. "We shouldn’t be too hasty to shut down the Star Shroud shield. The shield gives us time to build our fleets, and we need those fleets to defend Earth. Also, there’s a risk that this shutdown protocol won’t work the way we expected it to work. If my understanding is correct, the Boxans didn't even know the Star Shroud devices could make a shield."
"I'm not sure we can get around making certain assumptions," Michael said. "The shield went up just as the Xiiginn fleet was about to push into our solar system. The timing of that was too convenient to believe it happened by chance. What if the crew of the Athena got access to this Drar technology, and when they tried to get home, they saw the battle being fought? I know Zack Quick very well, and he’s no stranger to taking the initiative and doing what has to be done. I don't think that personality trait would've changed. What I'm trying to say is that he and the crew might
've initiated the Star Shroud shield."
"Indeed," General Sheridan said. "Mr. Quick's file does indicate idealistic tendencies. It was those tendencies that in many ways brought us to where we are today. I'm not saying he's to blame, but there are some who view it that way."
"General," Gary Hunter said. "If we're able to determine that the shield is constricting, then certainly someone outside the shield can make the same determination. It wouldn't take much of a leap to understand that if the shield is constricting, it could have disastrous effects on the planets caught inside. This is their way of sending help. Michael’s right and we're making assumptions, but I don't think we can afford to ignore these assumptions, even if the United Nations doesn't agree with them."
Michael felt his breath catch in his chest. He supposed they'd been dancing around the subject of what they’d do if the United Nations denied the Boxans' request to go home.
General Sheridan's mouth formed a grim line. "Mr. Hunter has been the first one to say what some of us have been thinking. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place," he said, and there were several chuckles throughout the room. "I have the reports with me, and I’ll present the different options we've compiled, along with my own recommendation."
Michael noticed several people shifting in their chairs, primarily the Chinese.
"For those of you who’re returning to Earth with me, we’ll be leaving in fifteen minutes. The rest of you continue with your duties. We’re all depending on you," General Sheridan said.
The meeting ended and General Sheridan asked Michael and Colonel Matthews to stay behind for a few moments. General Shang lingered behind, and Sheridan told him that he would speak to him on the shuttle ride back to Earth.
With the meeting finished, Michael looked at the grim lines on General Sheridan's face. This job was taking a toll on the seasoned general.
"Sir, about Zack," Michael began.
"Never mind about him. I have to listen to my experts and trust in their opinions. I've been in the Army for over thirty years and never once did I consider whether or not we were doing what was necessary, but this . . ." Sheridan shook his head. Michael glanced at Kyle, who stood ramrod straight, waiting for the general to continue. "I have to make a recommendation. I can't just present options. Regardless, Colonel, I want you to return to your ship and continue to prep the crew, because no matter what’s decided, your ship will play a major part in our plans."
"Yes, General. We’ll be ready," Colonel Matthews said.
"General," Michael said, "Scraanyx said he would join you to address the United Nations as long as he can bring his own security force."
"I expected as much. Scraanyx is a warrior who's been thrust into a diplomacy role. Very well, I’ll have my staff coordinate with him," General Sheridan said and looked at Michael for a long moment.
Michael wanted to ask him what his recommendation was going to be, but he suspected the general wasn't actually sure himself. His inner conflict was evident on his face—the conflict of weighing all the options as opposed to just simply doing the right thing.
"Do you like history?" Sheridan asked.
"Of course, sir," Michael said, and Kyle echoed the same.
General Sheridan nodded as if he expected nothing less. "You know, it's been over a hundred years since our country spent almost too long on the sidelines before becoming involved in one of the pivotal moments in the world's history. We almost got left behind. Why do I feel like we’re facing a similar situation but on a much grander scale that has the potential to affect generations to come?"
Michael nodded, knowing that in many ways World War II had shaped the world they'd come to know, even a hundred years later. He hadn't seen the similarities between that conflict and what they were now facing, but he supposed it was a good analogy. They were still stumbling to get on the playing field where they could go toe to toe with an aggressive alien species. Michael had been so focused on what they were doing that he’d never really given thought to how history would remember them or whether there would even be anyone left to remember them.
"Colonel," Michael said, "I'm willing to wager that there are a lot of Boxans who would be eager to weigh in on the Lincoln's operations."
Colonel Matthews’ eyebrows pulled together, furrowing his brow for a moment, and he glanced at General Sheridan. "I think their presence would help a great deal."
"Well, don't let me stop you," General Sheridan said.
Chapter Fifteen
"The Humans have become increasingly proficient at tracking us," Hoan Berend said.
Mar Arden stood outside their latest encampment under a star-filled sky. They had to keep moving around, going from place to place. However, this time he'd been adamant that they needed to move to another part of the planet that was much closer to this civilization's seat of power. The risk was greater for them, but this was where they needed to be.
"This is to be expected. Our real adversary works from the shadows outside the Human government. Their use of the Mardoxian trait is impressive. It’s interesting how the Mardoxian trait is kept secret. At least some of the Humans understand that such things are better kept to a powerful few," Mar Arden said.
Their most recent move had cost the lives of some of his soldiers. They'd had to make sure there were no remains for the Humans to find, which had lost them some time.
Kandra Rene sent him a message that she was on her way to see him.
"How is our most recent volunteer doing?" Mar Arden asked.
They'd increased their understanding of the Mardoxian genetic trait in Humans and were now testing the enhancement of a Xiiginn volunteer. Mar Arden wanted to acquire a genetic sample of a truly gifted Human test subject from which to base their own enhancement of the Mardoxian into the Xiiginns.
"The technology here is so primitive that the incubation period is taking much longer than if we were on our ship. Are you sure you don't want me to launch an operation to steal Boxan technology?" Hoan Berend asked.
"The Boxans have restricted themselves to ECF bases on their moon. The risk is too great when we can just take a little bit more time to achieve the same thing right where we are. Our adversary expects us to hit technology centers, and the longer we delay, the more their hands are tied," Mar Arden said.
"What do the Humans call this place?" Hoan Berend asked and gestured to the forests around them. The tall trees in the area made this location difficult to find.
Mar Arden used his implants to access the primitive global positioning system satellites the Humans liked to use because he was curious himself. "This region is known as Pennsylvania."
Hoan Berend nodded, and his tail flicked to the side. "Yes, that's it. You think it's too risky for us to launch an operation up there," Hoan Berend said, gesturing toward the sky, "but we're so close to one of the sites where our Boxan infiltrator launched his attack."
"That's because you don't see the advantage of our current location," Kandra Rene said as she joined them.
"I'm sure security is much better established now, but even still, I doubt they’d expect us to strike the same place twice. That's not why we're here. We're here because of its proximity to scientific organizations that have the technology we need. These organizations are mostly removed from those that are being upgraded with Boxan technology," Mar Arden said.
They were being hunted, and Mar Arden was growing tired of running from this primitive species. He'd thought that blowing up strategic cities targeted to entice the Humans into fighting among themselves would have been more effective, but he’d underestimated the ECF and its role in governing this species. This Earth Coalition Force was in its early stages of development, but in another fifty cycles it had the potential to emerge as the singular governing entity of the entire world. He looked at Kandra Rene. "Do you have something to show me?"
Kandra Rene smiled. "Oh yes, I believe you’ll be highly interested in this."
She brought up her wrist and a small holoscree
n appeared. Mar Arden watched a video image of a group of Humans. One of them collapsed, and he heard faint utterances from him until the sound was lost amidst all the Humans flocking to the fallen man's side.
"The Humans have been trying to remove all traces of this video feed, which is why I began to pursue it. Do you know what that looks like?" Kandra Rene asked.
Mar Arden glanced at Hoan Berend.
"Humans are weak," Hoan Berend said.
"That may be, but it wasn't weakness that caused that Human to collapse," Mar Arden said.
Hoan Berend frowned and then shook his head.
Sometimes Mar Arden wondered how Hoan Berend had gotten the command of his own warship with instincts like this. The Xiiginn commander was adequate at his job and could follow orders, but abstract thinking was beyond him. He looked at Kandra Rene. "Were you able to confirm what was in the message?"
Hoan Berend's tail flicked irritably and came to settle over his shoulder.
"The Earth Coalition Force is trying to keep that information secure, and they’re doing a pretty good job," Kandra Rene replied.
Mar Arden nodded. "Regardless, the fact that a message was received is telling in and of itself."
Hoan Berend sighed heavily. "Would you please fill me in on what's going on? What message?"
"Certainly," Mar Arden said. "The Boxans have used their abilities to send a message through the shield."
"Through Mardoxian means," Hoan Berend said, finally understanding.
"Precisely, which means there’ve been some new developments outside the shield," Mar Arden said and considered how this new information would affect his plans.
"They must be desperate to send a message using Mardoxian means. They’re essentially waving it right in front of us. They must know we would've detected it," Hoan Berend said.
Mar Arden glided his fingertips over the end of his tail, which was wrapped around his narrow waist, and looked at Kandra Rene. "Are there any reports of other mysterious collapses at the time this took place?"