“Thanks Kioni. I appreciate it,” I said, using her first name.
“It’s no problem Snow. I’ll make sure the Danube and the Corvaldians get back safe and sound,” she said, reassuring me. It did take a load off my mind.
“Roger that, and thank you. Dawkins, out,” I said, and the feed cut.
“Time to go Boss,” Jill prodded, as I wiggled into my harness and hopped out the door.
We didn’t even dock with the Lethine. The Mendians executed a special procedure I had never seen them do before. They had us come in close, less than a tenth of a kilometer off their starboard bow. Jill went rigid tense as I executed the close quarters maneuver. Space distorted and there was a sudden flash. The moon simply appeared below us. The Lethine had dropped us into a high lunar orbit. I then spoke to Darnack over the open com.
“Thank you Darnack. I owe you a favor,” I said, as I worked to silence dozens of alarms vying for my attention.
The computer didn’t know what the hell had happened, and wanted to tell me all about it.
“Be well Shifted One. Go with honor,” Darnack replied. I began to move away from the Lethine as she vanished. That done, I reached out through the ship’s com to register with Earth flight control, requesting permission to dock at the United Earth Alliance command station in orbit.
“Omega-621, we are tracking your transponder. Be advised, you are in violation of UEA protocol. I am not showing you registered with a previous flight control station,” came the terse response.
“There was no other station. Did you just briefly detect a Mendian vessel over the moon?”
“Standby, verifying.”
“Lunar monitoring stations did briefly register a large Mendian house ship.”
“That was our ride,” I replied. The Com fell silent for a few moments and then another voice replaced that of the flight controller.
“This is Major Nguyen. Thank you for confirming; we believed it to be a glitch in our system. You are cleared for dock, transmitting course guidance, bring her to Landing Pad M, Bravo Level.”
“Roger that, following course. Showing ETA of forty-five minutes. Please inform Admiral Jon Harper of my arrival,” I replied, and engaged the engines.
“Understood. Control, out,” came the terse, efficient reply.
I was busy flying the ship, when a secured message request came in next. It was Admiral Harper.
“Must be nice to have friends in high places,” Jon said. He never missed a joke.
“Yeah, because that’s what this is, a pleasure cruise,” I replied, feeling a bit testy.
“You got a plan yet?”
“I am working on one. Right now, the best thing I can do is get people focused on something other than the Transgenic Resistance. Though, there’s a reason I’m going to the station and not the Hague.” We were nearing our destination, and I set the system to automatic flight control for landing, trusting the computers to bring us in.
“Yeah figured that. Need me to set up some diplomatic quarters for you?” Harper replied, feeling helpful.
“Thanks Jon. I don’t want to be seen Earthside until I get a better feel for what’s going on down there. Last thing any of us need right now is to blunder in half-cocked and make it worse," I replied, the LRRC was gliding effortlessly to the landing pad.
“Luckily, this admiral’s uniform lets me double as a bell hop,” he said, and I snickered at the joke.
“Only because you wanted to do something productive,” I shot back, and Harper laughed good-naturedly.
“Now don’t hold back there long ears, tell me how you really feel.” I felt a slight bump as the LRRC touched down inside the hangar.
“UEA regulations prevent me from cursing over the Com system,” I said, letting go of some of the stress.
“Roger that, Snow. Good one, pop by the office. Harper out,” he replied.
Jill and I split up. She went off to manage the quarters that Harper had requested for us, and I headed towards his office. His assistant waved me through as I went in; I noticed he was watching the feed on his monitor intently.
“Have a seat there Snow and strap in. It’s getting worse,” he replied. He switched the feed from his personal station to the larger display used for meetings and monitoring the news when he was working.
Images from the Sol News Network were streaming over the monitor, showing three separate smoke plumes.
“Tonight a new terrorist organization has emerged on the world stage, with a mission against the Farthest Star Act. What started off as a lone terror attack today in London has turned into one of the single bloodiest days for the UEA in recent memory. Earlier this afternoon, coordinated bomb blasts occurred at Continental Sectors across the Globe. The targets have largely been against the offices of anti-morphic groups, but UEA security offices have also been targeted in Denver, Sao Palo, Sydney and Seoul. The shadowy group calling itself the Transgenic Resistance has claimed responsibility for each of the bombings.
“That’s disturbing,” I said, shocked at the relentless display of carnage on the screen.
“That’s coordinated,” Harper replied. “That’s organization and training.”
“I agree. They must have been planning this for some time,” I replied. “I have to find a way to stop this.”
“Terrorist groups generally aren’t easy to negotiate with; and these Transgenics, well, the only thing we have on them is that they are a dedicated lot,” Harper said.
"I know I'm dedicated to being a hare, but for transgenics, it's a multi-year process. That's multiple rounds of shifting. You never went through the month of fun, Jon. To want to go through that twice, you'd have to be committed. I guess we're finding out how much."
“We are, as shadowy as they’ve been. They’re on center stage now.” Harper’s hand was on his chin in thought.
“Yeah, which tells us the one thing they want is attention, and I just appeared back on Earth. Maybe I can help take some air from the fire.” I was fighting the headache, all the while trying to think strategically.
“Whatever you have planned, you better do it fast. It’s getting ugly out there,” Harper replied.
Chapter 14
The bright lights of the press briefing room aboard the station bore down on me and I squinted; my fur was already warm, and my ears flushed. My head was throbbing, and tinnitus racked my nerves.
“You sure you want to do this, Boss?” Jill asked, instinctively offering me my two white pills. I was about to poke the bear and less pain was always a plus.
“I don’t think I have any other choice. The only hope we have of defeating Farthest Star and stopping all of this insanity is if the people see that we are committed to preservation of all life. Seriously, this tit for tat bullshit has to stop. I am so sick of people thinking I hate them just because they have a different opinion. We can co-exist peacefully,” I said, emphatically. The events of the day had stoked my passion, but also my frustration.
“I know Boss, but it doesn’t always have to be your fight,” she replied, but she was dead wrong. It was my fight, it was my mission. I had given my word.
The noise surrounded me like I was drowning in a lake and, briefly, I was lost in the memory of Charlie bleeding out on the floor.
It’s all on you little hare…
Yeah. No shit.
The momentary flashback ended as someone dropped something metal that clanged loudly to the ground outside. The timbre drove my fading headache back to crescendo pitch, but also effectively chased out the demons of my past.
My vision went white and everything drew down to a singular point before I found myself, back, waiting to make my statement again.
The press filtered in, and for the first time in ages I was facing a crowd full of unknown faces. I actually missed Alice Bolter and the normal array of angry countenance. At least then, I knew what to expect.
Jill stepped forward, and greeted the press.
“Hello, and welcome to this after
noon’s press conference. We will be getting underway in a few minutes. The ambassador has a prepared statement regarding today’s events, but will be taking no questions at this time. Thank you for your understanding,” she said, in a practiced efficient manner.
The press corps grumbled a bit discontentedly at the denial of their normal question time. I swear, some reporters thought every statement should be followed with a blood sacrifice. Still, they seemed to begrudgingly accept the terms, apparently having been familiar with dealing with the military.
Jill checked her clipboard tablet and then made a small motion to me.
I was live. A solid red light illumined on the podium indicated that I was being broadcasted on the air.
“My friends, and members of the press, good evening. As you well know, it has been a tumultuous week of change for the United Earth Alliance and her colonies. From the Treaty of Song to the passage of the Farthest Star Act to the terrorist events of the day, no one will be able to look back on this week and be able to say they were unchanged by these events."
“Project Farthest Star, just recently approved by parliament, is a step back for the UEA towards the brutal regimes and mentalities that have led us to atrocity and war in the past. History tells us that there is no way a society can remain just when it disenfranchises the few in the name of the many. As such, I wholly condemn this as an illegal act by the UEA and will be working with morphic rights groups to challenge this in the planet's highest courts. Farthest Star cannot stand if the UEA hopes to remain a just and benevolent society."
“That is not to mean or give any credence to the brazen acts of violence we have witnessed today by members of the Transgenic Resistance. Their violent and bloody response to these events will only cause more pain, more division and delay us on the path we must walk if there is ever to be peace. I am calling on morphics tonight that may have any information that will lead to the capture and prosecution of these individuals to fully cooperate with UEA authorities. Our way forward cannot be on the battlefield, but through the courts of law."
“To those transgenic groups that would condemn me for being a centrist, let me say this clearly. You are damn right I am a centrist. Our interests should not only be for morphic rights or human rights, but universal rights. All sapient people deserve the protection of our charter, and equal status in our government."
“These are trying and dangerous times, but we can face them; we can venture out beyond the farthest star if we face these together as one people. In spite of the Parliament's marring of my most famous phrase with this offensive and terrible act, the message still holds true. We are a great people, we only need to recognize it in ourselves to move forward and truly take our place as a great power in this galaxy. Thank you, and may the people of Earth and her colonies continue to prosper.”
I hopped down and exited the platform, as the press erupted into murmurs and shouts, straining against the bonds imposed on them.
I exited to the hallway and proceeded to the lift to return to my temporary quarters, and was met by a security detail.
“Snow Dawkins, Jill Saito, you are to be confined to quarters until further notice. Right this way,” said the marine leading the procession.
“This is preposterous, on whose orders and for what reason are we to be detained?” I said, demanding to know more.
“By order of Chancellor Rusch you are to be detained for matters relating to state security. My orders include the use of force if you refuse to comply. I suggest you go easily ma’am,” he said, in a professional detached tone.
I shook with rage, but I choked it down. Now was not the place to fight.
“Of course sergeant, neither my assistant nor myself will make any attempt to resist. I believe my quarters are this way,” I replied doing everything I could to preserve my dignity.
The security detail escorted us right to the door. I knew when we entered, two would remain behind. I had to get out of this if I was going to be in anyway effective. Jill tried to access the Secure Com Network through our official diplomatic computer, but we were locked out; our clearance had been rescinded. The computers in the quarters proved equally useless, as Jill did not have the requisite codes to access the system anymore and my ability to interface did nothing without functional credentials.
We were stuck there, at least for now. I knew it would not be long before Harper would hear of this. He was the best chance I had to get this mess sorted out, but for now, all I could do was wait.
I paced, hopping back and forth, nervous and frustrated. I was not accustomed to being confined and the very idea gnawed at me.
“Boss. You are being awfully quiet about all this,” Jill said, as I kept up the pacing, back and forth.
“Angry,” I spat through my collar, with all the bitterness and bile I could manage.
“Okay Boss. Just remember, we have allies. This won’t last forever,” she said, trying to reassure me. It did nothing but annoy me further.
“I am just so tired of all of this,” I said slowly, almost deliberately, controlling each word.
The door slid open and Harper stepped in, in his easy casual way, which didn’t fit his rank one bit. He looked at the security detail, almost regarding it as an afterthought.
“Sir, we have orders, no visitors. You shouldn’t be here,” one of the guards protested.
“Gentlemen, I’m only going to say this once more, then I’ll have you up on charges. Leave, now…” I watched the men look confused for a moment and then their career survival instincts kicked in and they walked away. This battle could be fought later.
“That’s not going to work forever. The chancellor technically outranks me, but it does guarantee we will have some privacy,” he replied with a grin.
“Just what the hell is going on?” I said.
“What’s going on is that you are under the unfortunate delusion that you are still a citizen of the UEA. All over the world morphics are learning just exactly what the Farthest Star Act really means,” he said and I felt a shiver of fear run through me.
“We don’t have any rights anymore, at least, not on paper,” I said.
“Got it in one. All over the world, high level morphic leaders and those considered to be threatening to the security of the state are being rounded up. It’s pretty bad out there. Riots, violent demonstrations. UEA jails and detention centers are overflowing. I’d say that if Rusch doesn’t do something productive and fast, we are going to be under martial law by morning.” His easy going nature clashed with the bad news. It was like watching a surfer report on the apocalypse.
Live to fight another day, do not resist. A faint whisper at the edges of my consciousness distracted me as an idea dawned.
“Is there a way you can get me in touch with Chancellor Rusch?” I asked. What I was thinking turned my stomach, but it may be the only way to stop all of this before it went any further. It would mean turning, at least publicly, against everything I had just said.
“What are you going to do if you actually get a hold of him? What’s the plan?” Harper asked, curiously.
“Surrender,” I replied.
Harper whistled as he ran through the implications in his head.
“The world right now needs a voice on the morphic side that advocates for calm. I think the only chance now is to argue to embrace the Farthest Star Act.” Jill’s jaw dropped, her perfect visage of calm marred by the shock.
“Are you sure of what you are doing Snow?” Harper asked, sounding genuinely worried.
Surrender is the only way...
“There are one million morphics down there out of twelve billion on Earth alone. Even counting human allies, what chance does a rebellion that small have?” I said, hammering home the brutal and tragic math of it all.
“None,” Harper replied, agreeing with my assessment.
“But what are the populations of the outer rim worlds?” I said, lining this out.
“Zero,” Jill said, her eyes locked on min
e. She was getting it.
“That’s our chance. That’s our window. We embrace colonization. We cram as many morphics as possible on those ships and when we get our people safe, then we talk about our relationship with the UEA once we are well and truly out of the way.”
We bide our time, and wait for our moment. A frontal assault is suicide.
I nodded along with the whisper.
“I see your point, but you can’t be seen as a collaborator for this to work. What do we do about that? You just made a press statement condemning the act,” Harper said. I was still trying to work that part out.
“I need a show. They need to force me to register with the UEA, preferably in chains, then I can make an impromptu statement. If I do it right, they might just rally behind me,” I replied, working it out.
“It’s one hell of a gamble, you better be smooth,” Harper replied.
“I better be perfect. Can you get the call in to Rusch?” I said. My hind paws tingled, my whole being wanted to run.
“I think I can work something out. I’ll get back to you.” Harper rose and left.
Hours passed, and I about wore out the carpet. The nerves were getting to me, but there had been no word from Harper as of yet. I desperately hoped he would be able to come through for me. Jill had our diplomatic computer setup and connected to the network, but we only had the most basic of access. Everything high level had been restricted.
A tone broke in over the intercom speaker in my quarters, and I noticed the monitor activated.
>Secure Communications Request…..<
>Processing… Please Stand by….<
A woman who I knew to be Rusch’s chief aide appeared on the screen.
“Stand by for the chancellor,” was all she said. The screen then cut to Rusch’s office. The awful bastard had the most pleased looking smile on his face.
“If it isn’t the former ambassador. I don’t normally take calls in the middle of a crisis, but in your case, I thought I would make an exception. What can I do for you?” he said with a fake plastic grin.
Rise of the Forgotten Page 10