by M J Gauntlet
“Please admiral, pardon my unwise interruption,” this came from the newly installed general Van Val. Much better, thought Van Walt, the young Van Walt could do well to take heed of Van Val’s manner. “But could you tell me how the accursed Nubians have been so successful in planting spies within our sphere of influence?” Van Val said, obviously puzzled. “I can see how the Imperium could manage some success, after all they are composed of a mongrelized mixture of humankind and even unclean aliens. But the accursed Nubians should be easy to identify. There are very few dark-skinned races with blond hair among our satellite planets and I am sure that there are none of them in positions of trust to be able to garner intel on our fleet developments.”
“I could try and enlighten you from my own meager store of knowledge, general Van Val, but I feel that Prefect Chemayek as head of State Security, is better suited to answer you query,” Van Walt said, giving a slight bow to both Van Val and the inhumanly still figure of the darkly clad Chemayek. How does she manage to remain so still? It is creepy. The admiral wondered for the thousandth time. It must be her implants. He concluded.
The implanted eyes of Chemayek seemed to gleam beneath her hood as they flicked with machinelike precision from face to face around the table, finally coming to rest on the unsettled figure of general Van Val. Speaking in an odd two-toned voice, she addressed the assemblage.
Shirrs, I will not insult you with rehashing the total history of the Marcosian Restoration Worlds and that of the accursed Nubian Alliance of Planets. As you know, they are an off shoot of humanity that fled Old Earth at about the same time as we Marcosians. We hold that our path of nanite and mechanical infusion into our being is the correct and only path for reaching the ultimate human state. Their use of gene alteration and the heretical belief that mutation and breeding this is the only ‘pure’ path to human development has, for the moment, given them a slight advantage in producing individuals that can slip through our screening protocols and gain higher access to sensitive information.
“This also allows their agents to infiltrate into our slave population and ferment rebellion. But I will get to that later in today’s upcoming report. Suffice to say, currently the only sure way to accurately detect their agent provocateurs is through genetic testing or extensive use of the mind scan. The rooting out of these agents is an ongoing and tedious process, but we are certain that no word of the hidden fleet has leaked out.”
“Thank you for the clarification,” General Van Val said, with a curt bow.
“Chemayek,” the First Lady said, as she was the only one who dared address the head of the secret service so cavalierly, many in the room thought silently, “While you have the floor, now would be a good time to update the conclave on any progress the Intelligence community has had on procuring the X’haChe artifact.”
With a deep genuflection of respect, only the First Lady could command such reverence from Chemayek everyone mused, Chemayek straightened and addressed the conclave.
“Shirrs, our agent M’Lak Van Drayton has concluded that this Zaxxion Grayson, is not an accursed Nubian citizen or even a tribal member. Having determined Grayson’s next port of call to be the planet Plato aboard the independent trader vessel Windjammer, he has commandeered a courier ship to arrive on Plato before the Windjammer berths. There he will track down Grayson and attempt to precure the X’haChe artifact. According to the latest data available to our agent, there are only two ships due to dock at Plato within the next month: The Rapture and the Windjammer. It is uncertain whether Grayson will deliver the artifact to someone on Plato, on the tradership Rapture, or if he will carry it to another destination on the Windjammer. Plans are being laid to cover a multitude of possibilities.
“Agent M’Lak has requested that any Marcosian ships that find themselves near his location be made available at a moment’s notice. If any of our ships come across the Rapture or the Windjammer, they are to relay that information to M’Lak van Drayton as soon as feasible. Currently, the intelligence service highly recommends that we give the agent any assistance he requires. I await further reports on the progress of this matter and will keep all members of the conclave updated as information is received.”
“Very well Chemayek,” said the First Lady, “I’m sure the conclave will take your recommendations on this matter. I need not overemphasize that the possible acquisition of a X’haChe weapon, combined with the activation of the new fleet would secure our victory over both the accursed Nubians and the Imperial Unity of Planets. Let us hope that our efforts in both regards are successful.”
The head of the Secret Service bowed to the dais, then turned to address the members of the conclave of Elders. “Now, if there are no questions on the matter, I would like to give a report on the role accursed Nubian agent provocateurs have played in the slave revolts on Tin Tack 5. As of the last report received from….”
The Quartz Palace
Military Headquarters Unity Imperial Worlds
Present: Ms. Owens Director of Military Operations
Ms. Wilma Obacombu, Director of Military Intelligence
Grand Admiral of the Fleet, Michla Picaro Mr. Blank, Director of Secret Branch
Messer Kasim Modobu, First Secretary to Her Imperial Highness Empress Ruby McGowan Karrie Cromwell the VI of the Second Unity of Worlds
“Gentle beings,” Ms. Wilma Obacombu began, as she turned and addressed the presidium members present. “This council meeting is being called to update various governmental departments on the latest information concerning the conflict between the Marcosian Restoration Worlds and the Nubian Alliance of Planets, and the possible impact this conflict might have on the Unified Human Imperium. We will hear first from the director of military operations Ms. Owens.”
A silver haired (silver, not gray) woman to Wilma’s left nodded, but did not stand. Instead, she activated a holo projector that cast a large Tri-D image into the middle of the room.
“This is a projection of the current boundaries of the MRW and the NAP, and the Empire. As you can see, there are various overlapping areas that are under dispute between all three civilizations.” The image shifted, and a shaded area zoomed in and now commanded the center of the chamber. “This area here…” icons appeared indicating navy deployment. “Is currently the most volatile and there has been a corresponding uptick in pirate activity in the surrounding star systems.
“We have received requests, for an increase in naval presence for those star systems located in both the Carina-Sagittarius and Scutum arms of the galaxy, by the trade union and the independent trader’s guild. Unfortunately, the fleet is already stretched thin, so the availability of naval squadrons for pirate patrols is on an ‘imminent threat’ demand basis. Which means, that those star systems that are closest to the core worlds, will receive priority,” Ms. Owens said, looking around the table for objections.
“Have the Krillians, the S’ssqti, and the Ta’Kree also had an increase in piratical activity?” Messer Modobu asked.
“We have had no input on this matter from the S’ssqti or the Ta’Kree, and as you know, the Krillian solution to piracy is somewhat…unique…so there have been very few incidents of a successful pirate attack on one of their trade vessels,” said the director of military operations.
“Her Majesty wishes to make it clear that all of her Imperial start systems are to receive the best protection the fleet can provide, despite where they might be located. Are you saying that this is the best the navy can do?” asked, Messer Kasim Modobu, First Secretary to the Empress.
“At the moment Messer Modobu…yes, it is,” Ms.
Owens’ replied, curtly.
“Has Her Majesty had further time to review the navy’s request for the construction of additional naval units?” Admiral Danelle Picaro interjected.
“This matter is still under review admiral, the additional strain this proposed increase would add to the treasury is immense. While I won’t speak for the Empress as to her final decision,
it looks doubtful that the proposal will be approved at this time,” the first secretary said curtly.
“Then, this report I have just received might help the Empress in the final disposition in the matter of the increase of the fleet,” Mr. Blank said, adding to the conversation. All eyes around the room suddenly focused on the robed figure.
“Our agents have uncovered some disturbing data coming out of the MRW. There has been a sudden demand across the Marcosian Restoration World satellite star systems for vast amounts of materials that are essential in the construction of military starships. This information was stumbled upon as an offshoot of the current ongoing operation to find the X’haChe relic. If the data pans out, it is possible that the MRW are secretly building a new fleet, and it is not too farfetched to assume that their pursuit of Zaxxion Grayson and the artifact he supposedly carries, has a connection to this increased military buildup.
“I will of course, make this data available to the chief of naval intelligence Ms. Obacombu, as well as the members of the inner council. As for the ongoing operation concerning Messer Grayson, additional agents have been assigned to the case and are growing close to acquiring the young man,” Mr. Blank then turned and faced the entire assemblage. “Make no mistake…the knowledge that young Messer Grayson is carrying could tilt the entire balance of power in the known galaxy. As for now, finding and securing Zaxxion Alexander Grayson has become a top priority for the Unified Humanity Imperium!”
END OF BOOK ONE