by Adam Gaffen
“Doctor,” came a warning voice from behind Autumn. She turned to see Kendra, hands on hips and glaring at him.
“I was only trying to be helpful,” the balding man said, turning away.
“She’s our guest, Doc,” Kendra said more calmly. “Be nice.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s free to go in any case.”
“Good. Thanks, Doc.”
He nodded absently then, to Autumn’s surprise, disappeared.
“I’m seeing things,” she groaned.
“No, that’s Doc Zimmerman, or at least a Doc Zimmerman. He’s the AI who runs the HMO program.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“Holographic Medical Officer. It was a workaround for us to get more medical personnel; for some reason, we can’t seem to recruit the really good doctors. So we made our own. I can’t really take credit, though. It was mostly Mac’s idea.”
“He was supposed to disappear?”
Kendra agreed.
“I don’t feel a whole lot better about this.”
“Come on,” Kendra said, obviously wanting to move past the discussion of the HMO. “Let’s get you to my office. It’s only a couple levels away, then we can sit and talk.”
Kendra offered her a hand off the chair but Autumn waved her away, surprising herself by stepping lightly off it.
The AI, Diana? Diana. Must be doing the gravity trick for me.
She smiled, pleased at the little touch of thoughtfulness, and followed Kendra out and through the corridors. A few minutes later she said, “I thought you said it was only a couple levels away?”
“Yeah, about that. Njord’s kinda big. We still have to go up two levels, but this deck isn’t as busy as the one my office is on, so I thought it would be easier to navigate.”
“How big is kinda big?”
“She’s two kilometers across at this level, and we’re going to have to walk most of that. The long way. Sorry, I didn’t design this habitat, it was done by professionals and they were insistent the corridors be concentric. Something about efficient use of space. Feel like chatting?”
Autumn shook her head. “I think I’d better concentrate on walking.”
“Suits.”
Eventually they reached the promised office, and Autumn dropped into a couch without prompting.
“Feeling okay?”
“Surprisingly good,” she answered. “Remind me to thank your AI; she adjusted the gravity perfectly.”
Kendra grinned.
“What?”
“Well, a couple things. Diana’s always listening, everywhere, unless you tell her not to, so she’d already know. But she didn’t actually do anything.”
“She had to have! I didn’t have any issues walking.”
“That’s the nanobots, already hard at work.”
“What?”
“You got an injection before your surgery, remember?”
“I got a few.”
“Right. One of those was a booster load of nanobots, all tasked with helping your body adjust to the ¾ g we keep on Njord. They work fast, but these have just the one job so they’re even faster.”
“We’re in, wait, you’re saying this is four times what I’m used to?”
“Near enough.”
“How?”
“Nanobots. I told you. You want more details, you can ask Diana, or Doc Zimmerman. Which reminds me. Diana?”
“Yes, Admiral?”
“Schedule a time to review Q-Net implant functions with Autumn. I’m afraid it will have to be the condensed version; she’s not going to have much time aboard.”
“I will do so.”
Newling boggled. “What sort of rabbit hole have I fallen down?”
“The good kind,” Kendra assured her. “Are you feeling up to a serious discussion?”
“As you just told your electronic henchman, my time is limited.”
“Henchwoman, if you please.”
“I appreciate the clarification, Admiral,” Diana added.
“Where are my manners? Autumn, you want something to drink? Eat?”
“I don’t know; my body’s telling me it’s time for bed, but I know it’s fairly early here, I think. Not bedtime at least.”
“Right; you’re on Greenwich, we’re six hours behind. Mid-afternoon, almost sixteen. How about an early slash late dinner and we talk while we eat?”
“Sounds fine.”
Ordering the food through the replicators was a quick process, and soon they were seated.
“Chief Stone has kept me in the loop. Poisoning the citizens of the warrens, and Mike thinks that Tycho is next on their list.”
“Pretty well sums it up,” Autumn said around a mouthful.
“I’ve been talking this over with my advisors, and the other Federation leadership, and we think there’s one more card we can play to keep the Empress from pulling the trigger.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I think you’ve heard this before. Join the Federation.”
Autumn choked on the bite she’d just taken.
“Are you serious?” she finally managed.
“Completely. We’ve got an interdiction on all flights, but they can attack Tycho through the tube network. We can’t intervene if they do, not from space.”
“And you can’t do anything if we’re part of the Federation, either! You have the single company of Marines, right? You don’t have troops to send us, so how does joining up help?”
“If you join, then your citizens become citizens of the Federation. We can then legitimately protect them by any means, up to attacking Artemis City from space if necessary. The Empress might not be impressed, but maybe enough of her advisors will realize what a bear trap they’re stepping in and convince her to back off.”
Autumn thought for a moment.
“I don’t think they can talk her back from the edge,” she finally said.
“Maybe they can remove her.”
“My cousin might be, almost certainly is, crazy, but she isn’t stupid. She gets one whiff of an effort to thwart her and there will be bodies for the recyclers, no matter who they might be in the government. You know she arrested the entire Whitmore family?”
Kendra was astonished by this information. “No. I didn’t know.”
Her face twisted as she thought of Davie, then she set it aside. Later; Autumn was still talking.
“...didn’t do anything to stop the revolution, so she judged him ineffective and removed him. Combined with her former Minister’s failures and she found it a politically expedient time to eliminate a potential threat.”
“The point, Autumn, is we can get the backing of the UE and the other Earth governments, if Free Luna’s citizens, non-combatants, are under threat. They’ll have to remove the pressure they’re putting on the Federation, now, under the Artemis Accords, which takes another weapon out of the Empress’s hands. And who knows? Maybe the people will take it upon themselves to finish the job you’ve started.”
“Perhaps,” mused Autumn. “Even if they don’t, though, you’re right about the rest. And we’d be an equal partner in the Federation?”
“As equal as Titan or the Guild. Yes. We’re still working out a permanent structure, but you’ll be fully involved in those discussions.”
“Then I agree.”
Kendra beamed.
“We should make this official. Diana, official recording session, Federation business.”
“Recording.”
Kendra’s tone grew formal. “Autumn Newling. As the acknowledged leader of the movement and government called Free Luna, do you commit yourself and your nation to join with the Terran Federation as an equal partner in our endeavor?”
“I do,” she replied with equal formality.
“Then, effective Stardate 12008.16, also known as August 16, 2120, the Terran Federation officially welcomes Free Luna as the newest member, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities as any other member state. Congratula
tions. Diana, end recording.”
“Recording ended and logged. Notification to the UE, Admiral?”
“Yes, and to the Union of Artemis. Make sure that bitch knows the gloves are off: if she strikes against our citizens, we will respond with equal force.”
“I will have the message for your review momentarily.”
Kendra’s attention returned to Autumn, whose face displayed a mix of awe, shock, and optimism.
“I’d heard about you and how quickly you move, but even the Chief’s stories didn’t prepare me. That’s it?”
“That’s it. Diana’s memory is legally admissible anywhere in the UE and Terran Federation, which takes care of most of the planet. The other nations will accept it once we provide a written version, which should be, ah, there it is.”
A whirring noise came from the wall, and a drawer extended.
“This is all the legal felgercarb which goes with that simple ceremony,” Kendra said. “I’ll sign, then you. Kyra’s and Tamara’s signatures are done by proxy, given their distances. It’s all legal and proper, though.”
“Wow.”
“Yup. Davie already knows, and she’s going to work with Nicole to coordinate our response to anything that happens, moving forward.”
Autumn was still stunned by the speed with which everything progressed and said so.
“A long time ago I learned to grab opportunities when they appear and not wait until everything was perfect. ‘Say yes first,’ my mom taught me. I’ve been doing it ever since. Drives my wife nuts sometimes.”
“I imagine. Will I get to meet her?”
“Not this trip. She’s on a mission and I don’t expect her back until next month.”
“Pity. Anyone who finds you a bit much is probably fairly sane.”
“Hey!”
Autumn snickered.
“I have to admit, it feels good to belong again.”
Kendra’s nod was enthusiastic. “I’ve been chasing the feeling of ohana my whole life.”
“Ohana?”
“My word for family, something I picked up when I was young. Nobody gets left behind, nobody gets forgotten.”
“Ohana. I like it.”
“Welcome to ours.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
UE Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
Stardate 12008.17
“They did what?” Lynch wasn’t accustomed to anyone approaching him in his office first thing in the morning, much less Director Hartman.
“I said, Free Luna has officially joined the Terran Federation. I thought you might want to know.” She delivered the news the second time even more sweetly than the first.
To his credit, Lynch recovered quickly.
“Whatever. Doesn’t change my planning.” He bent over his paperwork in an obvious attempt to dismiss Hartman. She wasn’t so easy to get rid of.
“Oh, but it does. I’m certain Counsel Lehman will be happy to give his official view, should you ask.”
Lynch, sighing, leaned back in his chair and gestured for Hartman to take a seat.
“Tell me why this is important, Mya. Please,” he added, the word grinding through his teeth.
“Certainly, Roosevelt,” she answered, settling herself. She waited until she judged Lynch was about to explode, then spoke.
“The Union of Artemis has invoked clauses of the Artemis Accords and Amendments to generate our response, our efforts on their behalf.”
“I don’t need a dog and pony, Mya.”
“Simply trying to ensure we both understand it fully, Roosevelt, but I can continue without it. I assure you, it’s not with no purpose.”
“You’re enjoying this,” he accused. She didn’t answer him.
“Fine. You’re going to go through it anyways.”
“Thank you, Roosevelt. As I was saying, they’re using the Accords to guarantee our efforts. We can’t refuse them without breaking our word.”
“So? What’s changed?”
“Now, there are two governments, each of which claims to be the legitimate ruler of the planet. The Union has some advantages, in they are the older, established body and they control more of the population, but Free Luna controls a larger portion of the planet itself, as well as a substantial fraction of the population. In terms of recognition, well, since the Federation recognized them last night, several of the countries in North America have followed their lead, including the Sonoran Republic, the Republic of Texas, and Las Vegas Free State.”
Lynch whistled. “Three of the more stable governments.”
“And economically powerful.”
“They all have strong ties to the Federation, don’t they?”
Hartman agreed.
“Does that diminish their validity?”
“No; if anything, it boosts the legitimacy of the Federation’s recognition.”
Now Lynch thought he saw what Hartman was heading for. “Since there are two competing claims, then, we can’t choose one over the other.”
“Right.”
“Even though we’re already helping the Union?”
“Even though. When the rebellion flared, their claim was already in trouble; when the rebellion flashed into revolution, it got shakier; and now they’ve been recognized by another legitimate governing body? One of the clauses in the Accords deals with self-governance, and explicitly states the Lunar government has to be stable and have the support of the people of Luna. Not all the people, but they can’t be engaged in fighting a civil war, a revolution.”
“So what do I do?”
“Talk to Lehman. Get his official opinion. Take that to Baytes, and let him tell the Union we’re suspending all efforts until their internal affairs are stabilized.”
“Mya, everything’s set! Our intervention to apprehend the various fugitives has been approved, we have sufficient trained people, we even have launch space reserved! The mission goes off in two weeks!”
“Scrub it.”
“Mya!”
“Scrub it,” she repeated with more force.
“I can’t,” he replied. “What if the Union prevails and prevails quickly? Then I have to put everything back in place if I can.”
Hartman bit back an immediate reply and considered his position. She wasn’t military, but she knew about scheduling and the difficulties of coordinating with multiple agencies and companies. Putting it together in the first place was challenging; taking it apart and putting it back together was akin to unscrambling an egg.
“Put it on hold, then.”
“You know what that’s going to cost in penalties?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Roosevelt. You can scrub the mission, or you can put it on hold. You can’t go through with it.”
“Your opinion.” He didn’t try to hide his truculence.
“My opinion,” she agreed. “See Lehman. Get his opinion.”
“I will!” Lynch said, standing up.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, coming around the desk.
“By all means, Roosevelt. Have a good meeting.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Council Chamber, Artemis City
Stardate 12008.17
“Councilor, you try my patience.”
“I apologize, Empress, but circumstances change, no matter how we may wish them not to.”
“Atkinson and his incompetence,” fumed Newling. “If not for him, we never would have gotten to this point!”
“I know, Empress. I’ve been on him constantly, urging him to perform better.”
“And my wonderful Aunt Daria and her insistence we not simply bomb the rebels. This could have ended almost before it began!”
“Again, Empress, we could not have foreseen the changes in fortune we’ve experienced.” Phalkon was skilled at defusing the Empress, but today was proving especially challenging.
“And now this! ‘The United Earth Government is temporarily suspending efforts requested by the Union of Artemis for relief until such time
as the internal affairs on Luna are resolved.’ Pah!” She threw the permaplast sheet down.
“Empress, this can all work in our favor,” Phalkon purred.
“You speak as if you expect me to believe you. Why should I? Since you’ve become my First Councilor, nothing good has happened!”
“Please, allow me to explain! In a lunar, the al-Battani will return, trailed by the Federation starship. They will pass through the warp minefield safely, while the starship is torn asunder by the mines. Simultaneously our new fighters will launch an attack on the habitat, drawing their attention away from the fleet you’ve arranged to be deployed from Mars. Between these three events, the Federation will have no time to spend watching Luna, and we can finish the rebels quickly!”
Newling, still scowling, said, “Elaborate.”
“Let me run through two scenarios, Empress. The one which won’t be, and the one that could.”
Newling nodded.
“Our original plan was to use the nerve agent on the rebels and deal with the fallout. I had thought, perhaps, we could create a ruse wherein we might blame the rebels for their own demise.”
Newling interrupted her. “How?”
“I asked Atkinson about using one of the partially-completed frigates to plant a bomb atop one of Tycho’s cargo lifts, then detonating it after the BZ had done its work. The atmosphere would be vented, clearing the evidence of any nerve agent, but causing little structural damage.”
“Clever. Go on.”
“There would be confusion regarding the cause of the death for an entire warren, Empress. By the time we rebuffed all efforts to investigate and blame us, we would lose any momentum we might have gained by crushing the rebels. And the attempted investigations would make our other efforts more difficult. Our minefield, which we are even now emplacing by calling them ‘navigation satellites’ to get around the Federation’s illegal embargo, would almost certainly attract more notice than it has.”
“Meddling groundhogs.”
“Yes. And they’d want to see everything, including our construction yards where the fighters are being built. When our attack came it would be piecemeal and possibly defeated.”