“Yes, sir.”
“General, do you often attack an enemy without knowing their retaliatory abilities?”
The general looked at his hands. His palms were sweaty.
“Sir, I am acting according to the direction given by the previous Commander in Chief.”
The President muttered to himself with obvious disgust.
“Okay, how about this for a new direction? We will not attack the UEF, an exceptionally popular interstellar power with weapons, technology and galactic allies we know nothing about. We will proceed with a little bit of goddamn caution, for once. Is that clear?”
The President stood, glared at everyone, and left the room.
There was a moment of shock before everyone turned to Lucy, the new Chief of Staff. They waited a few moments, but she busied herself with her notes and appeared not to notice them. Finally, one of them asked her.
“What’s a shidditt?”
Lucy sighed, and responded without looking up.
“The President believes that there is a society of stupid people that exist solely to hinder his agenda. He calls them a shidditt, or shidditts.”
The General became reflective as he replayed the meeting in his mind. Lucy glanced up at him.
“Be careful, gentlemen. The President doesn’t keep shidditts around very long,” she said, as she left to catch up with her boss.
The President went straight to the Oval Office, nearly colliding with people in the hallway.
“Options?” he asked Lucy as she entered, while taking his seat in the famed Presidential Chair for the first time. Underwhelming, he thought to himself.
“Go public. So far, everything United Earth Fleet has done has been in the open. Let’s mirror that. Then we get some staff on board the Destiny and verify the information we have at this point. I think we should pressure Jack Morris to make contact.”
“Mm. Find out if we have any leverage on the guy.”
Lucy turned and left the room. The President thought for a moment, and placed a call.
Not long later, he stood behind the podium in the Press Briefing Room. He irritably waved away the old President’s communications director, who was unhappy that she hadn’t been allowed to vet any comments in advance. When the reporters had taken their seats, he began.
Unaware of the small, international armada beneath him, Timmy watched the address via a satellite link from the research vessel.
“…so I can admit that the previous administration let us down. In light of our recent loss, I want to rebuild what was destroyed. I would like to propose a new relationship between United Earth Fleet and our government. As an initial gesture of friendship and cooperation, I politely request to join the next voyage of the Destiny myself, in person, along with any other members of my staff for whom there is space. Perhaps by sitting side by side with Alex and his crew, we can find the time to get to know each other and build a real relationship. I look forward to their response.”
The room exploded into a forest of outstretched hands. The reporters started yelling to get the President’s attention as he exited the room.
Meanwhile, on the research vessel, Timmy picked up a walkie talkie.
“Hey folks. We’re going to need to build a few more chairs for the Destiny’s bridge.”
***
Alex was reading some of the documents provided by Kalibri. There were thousands. Summarizing the war effort, the strengths, and the attack strategies of the Zorn. Their primary method of attacking ships, boarding action.
Zorn ships were built with a sharp ramming point on the bow, able to split open enemy vessels and allow drones to funnel in. Alex surmised that the Zorn were insect-like in their behavior.
Alex had invited Amanda to sift through the endless pages with him.
“There’s a creature on the Thean homeworld that lives in a state of near-constant reproduction. When they are not pregnant they are, uh, copulating,” said Amanda, pointedly inspecting her reading tablet. There was a pleasantly tense moment of silence. She looked over at Alex who returned an awkward expression.
Amanda’s face split, and she burst into riotous laughter. Almost doubling up, she reached out and put a hand on Alex’s shoulder for support.
“Oh my god. This space cowboy business is the best thing that ever happened to me, I swear. Thank you, Alex.”
As the laughter faded, Alex realized they were now very close together, her hand still on the top of his arm. He looked up at her joyous expression. His mouth suddenly felt dry, and his body hot.
“Listen, uh. I am happy too. That you’re here, I mean.”
Amanda slightly rolled her eyes, smiling as she focused back onto her tablet. Her long brunette hair fell below her shoulders. A slight scent wafted in the air, pleasing to his senses. He quietly inhaled.
He recalled what little information he could remember from her application to the UEF. Her father was in the military. His mind raced as he searched for something to ask her.
“Do you think you’ll ever get married one day?” Amanda asked without looking at him.
“I hope so. I mean, I think it would be great to have my own family. Do it better than my parents did, you know?”
Amanda glanced at him. “Yeah. Me too.”
Alex returned her gaze. He gave himself to the moment, leaning over ever so slightly.
She abruptly left the cabin, muttering about the bathroom. Alex stared at nothing for a few moments, occasionally shaking his head at his own inner thoughts. Finally, he too got up and made his way towards the dining room.
Several other crew members were eating and chatting around the tables, including Amanda. They looked up as he entered. Cindy looked at Alex and sat down at his table with a full plate of food.
“You know, I’ve been toying with a few thoughts lately. For a start, what we should call you? Intergalactic peacemaker, Global leader? Ruler, maybe?”
“Kalibri sent me some documents to review,” Alex said out loud for the crew who were listening. “When I say some, I mean thousands of documents. It seems the Zorn like to board enemy ships. We must be prepared for that possibility.”
“Yes, sir,” said Wilma, formally. “I’ve already been working with Kalibri. Thean handheld weapons require biochemical operation and supercell batteries we do not yet possess. However, we should be able to modify the existing ones for our purposes.”
Alex was chewing his food and only managed to nod his head. Amanda looked at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled slightly.
“Kalibri mentioned that Theans communicate and operate all their equipment with biochemical signals. He has extensive records on the subject.”
Finally, Alex finished chewing a bite.
“I assume there’s no way for us to communicate with a Thean when we finally run into one.”
“According to Kalibri, not directly. But it offered to act as a translator,” Cindy answered.
“Here is some more food for thought. Kalibri knows of seven other space-faring civilizations. There were nine until the Zorn…” Alex trailed off, dolefully. A few people lowered their heads.
“Could we get help from any of them?” asked Mason.
“Kalibri stated that most civilizations have a no-interference policy with others. So, looks like a no.”
“Captain, you have an incoming comms request,” said the voice of Mimi.
“Put it through to the dining room.”
A moment later, the overhead speaker crackled on.
“Captain Alex, I have finished analyzing your technology, and have a timeline to update your ship’s systems and repair my ship as well.”
“I’m listening,” Alex responded.
“Using 3D printers from Earth, I can manufacture components to build a Thean replicator. With that, I can build a fabricator that will open up a wide range of new technologies for your use.”
“Kalibri, what technology would you say is the highest priority?” Mason asked.
“Yo
ur two most limiting factors are your power and propulsion systems.”
Alex looked up.
“Propulsion is the most advanced system we have.”
“Indeed, you have created a groundbreaking technology even by galactic standards. However, you cannot travel between the stars. A common denominator with interstellar spaceflight. You require an FTL drive.”
“Faster than light. My god,” breathed Mason. “But that isn’t even possible.”
“It is. You also require a nuclear fission reactor, or ideally a fusion reactor, to power a warp field.”
Alex quickly glanced around, not quite sure of the difference. “How soon can we install this technology?”
“As soon as you can build a bigger ship. You will need at least triple the space to fit these systems. More if you wish to be effective in battle, or haul significant quantities of cargo.”
Alex looked over at Jorge, who was dipping a piece of bread into some kind of sauce. He responded without looking up.
“Without seeing design specs, I couldn’t say for sure. But with greater access to resources and manpower, it’d take roughly the same amount of time it took us to build this one.”
“Captain, with fabrication technology you can build it in half that time at least,” Kalibri said.
A new voice crackled over the comm.
“Captain,” Alex recognized Gloria’s voice. “I have completed the analysis of the biological compounds in the living room. I believe I took a sample of a dead Thean. Their DNA is a single strand, very complex. Highly incompatible with human biology. I detected no viruses or other harmful components. I cannot guarantee safety, but we’ve removed a great deal of unknown risk.”
“Thanks, Gloria. I think it would be beneficial to leave a team here to continue repairs while the rest of us head back to obtain the required materials.” Several people looked as if they were going to protest but Alex cut them off. “We will leave the USV Surprise here for emergencies, along with the majority of the food stock. I’d like volunteers, otherwise I’ll select a team.”
“I’d forgotten we still had that old tin can strapped to the ship,” said Jorge.
“Where would we sleep?” Brandon asked.
“I’d imagine you would have to spend your time in EVA suits. Perhaps you could take turns sleeping in the Surprise. Take your mattresses with you if you think it would help.”
Alex finished his sandwich, and left the crew to talk among themselves.
***
“Cindy, status?” Alex asked, getting comfortable in his bridge chair.
“Amanda, Jorge, Mason, Wilma and Brandon are on Dark Star. The Surprise is at their disposal. They are loaded with supplies. Our power supply is eighty-three percent and we are ready to launch”
“Take us to Earth.” Alex watched the brownish landscape fade away and braced against the familiar g-forces of the slingshot maneuver used to propel the craft to unbelievable speeds. He waited for the moment when artificial gravity could be restored. Sometime later that day, the ship began its coast to Earth.
“Course is locked in.”
Alex looked around as the bridge crew stood up to leave.
“Everyone’s going?”
“There’s nothing to do until we get to Earth. We are on galactic autopilot,” Cindy said.
It occurred to Alex that he never spent any time on the bridge between destinations. Policies and procedures, he thought to himself.
“You ever watch those sci-fi shows where the spaceship is zooming through space, and the stars are zipping by like markings on a highway?” Jack said, sitting down next to Alex as the rest wandered out of the room.
“Yeah,” Alex answered
“That’s some bull!” Jack continued as he looked at the view-screen. “I mean, the stars don’t even move a little. How fast are we going?”
“Mimi, how fast are we traveling at this time?”
“This ship is traveling at eighteen point seven six million miles per hour,” Mimi stated.
“What!” Jack cried.
Alex grinned. He’d forgotten the amazing capabilities of Jorge and Timmy’s little project.
“Mimi, what is the speed of light in miles per hour?” Jack asked.
“The speed of light is roughly six hundred and seventy point six two million miles per hour,” Mimi answered. “Current speed: two point eight percent of light.”
“I don’t understand,” Jack muttered, tapping at a tablet. “At this speed, we would reach Mars in less then a day. Why did it take us so long to get there?”
“You forget that we use a gravity assist to increase our velocity to and from Titan. As Mars gets farther away from Earth, we may need to do the same. When we decide to go back, that is.
The two men thought about this in silence.
“You miss anyone at home, being away all the time? Family?” Alex watched Jack carefully.
“Not really. No parents or wife or anything. Dad died when I was sixteen. He’s the reason I decided to serve in the military. When he was alive, I never wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
“I guess we both had bad luck in the father department.”
“No, Alex, your father made you the man you are today. Without him, I don’t think you’d have been able to do any of this.”
“Hm,” said Alex. “So do you consider Hammond as a father figure?”
“Maybe once.”
“I have a hard time believing he is simply going to let you go.”
“You and me both.” Jack continued staring at the screen.
“How are you going to break the news?”
“Honestly, I think keeping out of contact is the right play. In his mind, there will always be plausible deniability as long as I do. If I make a formal announcement, he would react accordingly.”
Alex stood and looked at Jack for a few moments. Then he quietly left the bridge, leaving him to stare at the unmoving stars alone.
Chapter 12
Surprises
“After buying this research vessel, paying back your father, upgrading and resupplying the ship and all the other things we have done, we are getting short on funds. We could use another revenue stream. The Chinese have asked if we plan to take more of their cargo. They have three lined up waiting for us. That would get us back on track, for sure,” Timmy said to Alex, as he sipped a cup of coffee.
Alex looked around the small room, which rocked slightly on the sea. Everything was solid steel and bolted to something. It was closer to a prisoner’s cell than a cabin of any kind.
“You can let the ambassador know that we will pick up the cargo…” Alex looked expectantly at Timmy.
“The ship will finish charging tonight.”
“Then let him know we will be there tonight, thanks.” Alex half-smiled, while handing Timmy a list.
“We need these specific 3D printers and plenty of material to run them. Can you get it?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Be quick about it, we need them tonight.”
“Even with the shuttle, it will take me a whole day, maybe two.”
Alex sighed thinking of those he left on Titan. “Fine.”
They left the cabin and found Jerry in the hallway, looking into a more spacious room. Inside were a number of large men grappling each other on floor mats.
“Who the heck are they?” Alex asked.
“They’re the security guys from the compound. You asked them to join us, remember?”
Alex looked at Jerry. “What are they… are they training in martial arts? Are they any good?”
“They look pretty good to me. Tactics need work, but they have heart and they believe in you.”
Alex felt someone tap his shoulder. Timmy offered him a phone.
“It’s the President of the United States. The new one.”
“New one?” Alex’s face contorted. “Congratulations, Mr. President,” he began.
“This is Tabitha. Please hold for the President.�
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A few moments later, he heard the line click over.
“Congratulations Mr. President,” he tried again.
“Thank you, and to you as well for all your recent accomplishments.”
There was a moment of silence.
“I’ve got a group of people out in Florida, fixing up your property as we speak.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
Alex was aware of Timmy, Renee and others listening in.
“I’ll be the first to say we really screwed up the handling of your organization. I have it on good authority that several governments have offered you safe haven.”
Alex frowned and looked at Timmy, who nodded his head.
“Uh, yes. I am still reviewing the offers. Some come with pretty good incentives.”
“I am sure they do. I want you to know that we will support whatever decision you choose. I am very concerned about one issue. The Zorn. How much of a threat are they?”
“Grave, sir. Kalibri has excellent intelligence and we are working together to come up with defensive strategy.
“I am glad you are. However, as the leader of the free world I have a responsibility to put our resources towards the Earth’s protection as well. Would you agree with me on that?”
“Absolutely, sir.”
“How would you suggest I go about doing that, at this point?”
Alex took a little time to think.
“Thank you for asking, Mr President. I realize you may not like my answer, but I would suggest you supply the UEF manpower and resources to begin an aggressive buildup of a space fleet.”
It was the President’s turn to hesitate.
“That’s a possibility. However, I would first like to see the UEF in person, and gauge its effectiveness for myself. Can we arrange that?”
Alex looked to Timmy, and he slowly nodded his head.
“Yes. What do you propose?”
“Allow me and two men to join your next mission to Titan. I would like to speak to Kalibri myself. If I can get some assurances, the United States will provide you what you need and more.”
“Very well. I intend on heading back to Titan in two days. Better clear your schedule for the next several weeks.”
“Excellent!”
Galactic Startup Page 16