Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  Allison Conley, the Presidents Chief of Staff and Carlo Russo, Secretary of Defense, were accompanying the President to the event. They were already on board waiting to depart. They stood up when Mary entered the small seating area.

  “Please, have a seat. How are you Carlo?” Mary asked as she sat down and buckled up.

  “I’m fine, Madam President. And you?”

  “I’ll feel better when this trip is over. I’m a little tired from all the memorial speeches I’ve given this month.”

  “I sympathize, Madam President. We lost over one million citizens to the Yoyka nanomachines and the world lost close to ten million. It could have been much worse,” Carlo said.

  “Here is the Memorial Speech for the UN,” Allison said as she handed the small tablet to Mary. “I made the latest revisions you asked for.”

  “Thank you, Allison.” Mary turned on the tablet screen to view the speech.

  As soon as the outside door closed, Marine One pilots revved up the two GE Turboshaft engines and lifted off the South Lawn landing pad. The helicopter was capable of traveling close to 200 miles per hour climbing up to 15,000 feet with a range of 700 miles. The distance from Washington DC to New York City was 225 miles. They would arrive in just over one hour.

  Mary turned off the tablet screen and looked out the small windows. As Marine One made a slow turn to the East she could see the White House on the left and the Washington Monument on the right. She could also see the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial. Too many Memorial reminders. There will be more Memorials before this is all over, she reflected sadly.

  “Carlo, when will General Bradstone return from Mars?” Mary asked over the noise from the engines.

  “I believe he is arriving tomorrow, Madam President.”

  “Then we should plan a NSC meeting this week when he returns. I want to know what they found on Mars from the Yoyka wreckage.”

  “Certainly, Madam President. I’m sure he’s sending us his report as well. I’ll make sure you get a copy as soon as it comes.”

  “I received word that Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Martin and his wife are coming with the general. He wishes to meet with me. Do you know what he wants?”

  “I believe he wishes to discuss his planned trip to Holtu with General Bradstone. They leave in a week or so.”

  “I can’t imagine what a trip to another world will be like. It never occurred to me that first contact with aliens would happen in my lifetime. Now we face a war against aliens we hardly know and weapons we’re just learning about. I hope we have time to defend ourselves.”

  “The Qumru and the Holtu androids have promised to support us, Madam President. They need our help as much as we need theirs. We will be ready when the time comes.” Carlo sounded more confident that he really felt.

  Mary turned her attention to her memorial speech. It would be the last such speech she would have to give in the next few weeks. She had already visited ten major cities in the US to give eulogies for the dead citizens killed by the Yoyka nanomachine contagion. If it weren’t for the preventative nano-agent solution developed by the Qumru scientist named Tumil and Doctor Janice Martin, millions more people would have died. Carlo was right. The situation could have been much worse.

  *****

  Marine One landed near the United Nations Plaza, or what was left of it. A large clearing had been made from the rubble. Nothing had survived the blast from space. The UN Buildings had been blown to dust for close to 1,000 feet in every direction along the East River centered near the Queens Midtown Tunnel, which had also been damaged in the attack.

  A new UN Memorial and Museum on the Plaza was rising up from the ashes. The United Nations Headquarters would be rebuilt in the same spot as the old given more time. For now, just a stone wall was provided with names of the dead similar to the wall at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the new World Trade Center. A large temporary bleacher stand and stage had been built for the President’s visit.

  President Anderson was led to the stage through the large crowd that had gathered for the eulogy. A number of dignitaries were in attendance, including the Governor of New York, the city Mayor, the UN Secretary-General, State Senators, other local government and UN officials. Mary greeted and shook hands with as many people as she could before walking up to the podium with the presidential seal facing the large crowd. The bleachers were already filled with hundreds more people standing in front of the stage. For the most part, everyone was quiet in respect for all those who had lost their lives on that fateful day.

  Mary set the tablet with her speech on the podium. She held up her hands to quiet the crowd and began to speak.

  “I would like to thank the people of New York for inviting me here to give this eulogy for the thousands of lives that were lost in the attack and destruction of the United Nations Headquarters Complex on May 27, 2066. They will be remembered forever in the annals of world history as a result of first contact with alien beings. I will remember these people as the first heroes who died to save our planet from a vicious attack from cruel and cowardly enemy aliens.

  “As many of you know, I have travelled to many US cities recently to give similar speeches for hundreds of thousands of US victims who died on the same day from unforgiveable actions committed by the Yoyka aliens. Many millions more people around the world died from the nanomachine contagion the Yoyka aliens unleashed in a futile attempt to conquer and enslave our people. Those who died made the ultimate sacrifice to help keep the rest of us free.

  “It is with great sadness that I must again address the people of this country and everyone watching this speech over the media around the world what a great tragedy has occurred on this site. The Yoyka aliens thought they could break the will of our peoples by destroying a symbol of our world leadership, but they are gravely mistaken. Our strength as people on this planet does not arise from government buildings or any manmade structures, but from our human will to remain strong and free of any master race.

  “I say a silent prayer every day for the lives lost on that fateful day. I pray for the millions more who may die before this conflict ends. Rest assured peoples of the world who are watching this eulogy; the war with the Yoyka aliens is just beginning. With the help of the friendly Qumru aliens and their Holtu military androids, we have a good chance of defeating the Yoyka when they return to our solar system. We may have lost a battle, but we certainly have not lost the war.

  “Thank you for your time. I look forward to returning to this site for the dedication of the new UN Memorial and Museum on the Plaza and for the new United Nations Headquarters Buildings when they are completed, so its people can get back to work.

  “Now let us all bow our heads in silence as Reverend Giddings reads a memorial prayer for all those who have died here.”

  Reverend Giddings read a passage from his bible that lasted two minutes. He graciously thanked the President and they both left the podium to a standing ovation.

  The Memorial Speech was over and President Anderson was escorted back to Marine One. She had a busy day ahead of her and more meetings to attend at the White House.

  Chapter 7

  Meeting With The President

  It took less than nine minutes from the time Doug, Janice, Di and General Bradstone left Haffen City Spaceport on a Holtu transport shuttle to reach Earth travelling at 50 percent light speed. This was almost beyond human comprehension, but Doug and the others were coming to grips with the new reality of space flight using alien technology.

  Janice looked out the port window at Earth as they prepared to descend to the surface. “It sure is beautiful; so full of life,” she said to Doug sitting next to her.

  “It’s hard to believe we almost lost our planet to the Yoyka sixty some days ago. I can’t imagine what would have happened without help from the Holtu and Qumru. They saved our planet.”

  Vice Leader Di was piloting the shuttlecraft. It was larger tha
n their Zoltu fighters, but they needed it to carry them to Earth and then to the Holtu warship that would be waiting for them after their visit.

  General Bradstone was sitting up front with Di in the copilot chair observing the shuttlecraft firsthand. He knew spacecraft such as this would be vital if Earth had any chance at all of defeating the Yoyka. It would be needed to carry supplies, troops and weapons to all parts of the solar system in preparation for war.

  “I think General Bradstone is enjoying his front window seat on this trip,” Doug said, smiling at Janice. “He wants the new UN Space Strike Force to build thousands of this type of spacecraft before the end of the year.”

  “We’ll need them for sure,” Janice said as the shuttlecraft entered the atmosphere for its final approach to Andrews Air Force Base located 21 miles from Washington, DC.

  The shuttlecraft landed without incident; it’s antigravity field generator allowing a smooth landing near the main building. Their arrival was anticipated by the military, which had a black limo waiting for them at the gate. General Bradstone led the way to the limo, which would take them directly to the White House where they would meet with President Anderson.

  The limo made good time through the early morning traffic. They arrived at the South Gate White House entrance thirty minutes later. Allison Conley met them at the door and greeted them warmly. “It’s nice to see you again General Bradstone, Vice Leader Di, Colonel Martin and Doctor Martin. The President is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

  General Bradstone excused himself. He had meetings to attend at the Pentagon. “Tell the President I will see her at the NSC meeting later today.” He got back inside the limo and they took off.

  Allison led the group through the White House corridors to the West Wing Oval Office. She knocked on the door and walked inside. “I’ve brought our visitors from Mars, Madam President.”

  President Anderson stood up and walked around her desk. “It’s good to see all of you again. Please, have a seat. Can I order some refreshments or drinks for anyone?”

  Coffee and water was requested and everyone took a seat on the two sofas in the middle of the room. Mary waited for the drinks to arrive before beginning the meeting. “How are things going on Mars since the attacks?”

  Doug was the first to answer. “We’ve been very busy, Madam President, as you know. The military has sent over two thousand troops now, mostly US Space Marines and a few pilots to start training on Holtu space fighters. We have begun building out our spaceports and defenses. We still have a long way to go.”

  “I have instructed General Bradstone to give you whatever you need, Colonel. We have greatly expanded our military preparations here on Earth as well. A new UN Space Defense Group has been established and many countries are contributing people and military supplies to the effort.”

  “I am aware of this effort, Madam President. With help from the Holtu, we should be able to equip them with new weapons that will help us defeat the Yoyka when they return.”

  Mary took a sip of coffee. “Tell me, what have we learned from the Yoyka crash site?”

  Doug let Di answer the question. “The Holtu have conducted a thorough search of the Yoykan Malee debris that landed on Mars. We have analyzed the warship’s operational capabilities, control systems and weapon systems. Our technology is on a par with the Yoyka technology, if not ahead in propulsion and energy shield systems. We only lack the numerical advantage of the Yoyka space fleet forces.”

  “That’s where we come in, Madam President,” Doug said. “We can provide the military people the Holtu and the Qumru lack. The Holtu will provide the warships, fighter spacecraft, weapons and the training we will need. The only unknown is what the Yoyka will do with their nanomachines.”

  “Do we have a way to neutralize their nanomachine effects?” Mary asked.

  Janice replied, “We’re still working on it, Madam President. The Qumru and we have developed a preventative nano-agent solution as you know, but we do not have a way to reverse or stop the mind control effects on infected people yet. The Yoyka can still send a quantum transmission link code sequence that will immediately kill all infected Qumru. Billions would die.”

  Mary was silent for a moment. “Is there any hope of saving them?”

  Doug responded, “We may have found something in the Yoykan Malee debris, Madam President. We have their quantum transmission link control system. Hopefully, Doctor James Colbert and the Holtu scientists can find a way to interfere with the transmission link in the future. It’s not just the Qumru who will suffer, but trillions more people the Yoyka have under their control in other star systems.”

  “I see. Well, keep working on it. With good fortune, we will not have to worry about the Yoyka nanomachines infecting us again since most of us now have the preventative nano-agents in our bodies.”

  Mary finished her coffee and set the cup down. “I believe you had something else of importance you wanted to talk to me about, Colonel?”

  Doug looked at Janice and Di before nodding his head and speaking. “Yes, Madam President. I know you have been giving memorial speeches for the people killed in the Yoyka attacks. I would like to request that all Mars colonists that died on Earth be returned to Mars for burial. Most of them had made this request when they decided to move and live on Mars. I would like to honor their wishes.”

  Mary looked surprised by the request. “I did not know this was something we should have considered.” Mary turned to Allison. “Did you know about this?”

  Allison shook her head. “No, Madam President. It never came up.”

  Mary stood up. “I have no objections to this request, Colonel. I believe those colonists who died here and wished to be buried on Mars should be returned as soon as possible. I will make sure this happens.”

  “Thank you, Madam President. That will be very appreciated by any remaining family members on Mars,” Doug said.

  “Good, then let’s conclude this meeting. I have work to do before I attend the National Security Council meeting in one hour. You are all invited, of course. We have much to talk about.”

  Doug, Janice and Di left the Oval Office. They decided to head to the visitors lunch room to get something to eat before the next meeting. After that, Doug and Janice wanted to take a walk in the Rose Garden and enjoy the beautiful warm day on Earth before they had to leave for Holtu. It would be months before they would get a chance to breathe fresh air again.

  Chapter 8

  NSC Meeting

  The National Security Conference meeting would start in five minutes. President Anderson scheduled each meeting once or twice a week now, before noon if possible. She and Allison Conley walked from the Oval Office to the Situation Room located on the ground floor of the West Wing. Allison held the file folders the President might need to reference during the meeting. They entered the room and everyone stood up and greeted the President.

  “Please be seated. We have a lot to discuss,” Mary said taking her seat at the table. Allison sat behind her against the wall.

  The room was filled to capacity. Vice President Allen Denton was seated next to Carlo Russo, Secretary of Defense. Next to Russo was General William (Bill) Bradstone, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). Also at the table were William Straiter, Secretary of Homeland Security; Susan Liang, Secretary of State; Clair Sundry, Secretary of Health and Human Services; Rodney Williams, National Security Advisor and Shoji Ito, NASA Administrator. Several staff members were sitting in chairs along the walls along with Doug, Janice and Di.

  “First, I would like to thank Lieutenant Colonel Martin, his wife, Doctor Janice Martin and Vice Leader Di from Holtu for visiting with us. I invited them to participate in our meeting. Let’s begin with a brief status update of our military preparations for war with the Yoyka—Carlo?”

  Carlo Russo, raised in New York City, had served in the military for twenty years before becoming a lawyer. He had clearly been distressed by all the recent losses at the UN Complex and
other deaths caused by the Yoyka attacks. “Thank you, Madam President. We are still holding at DEFCON 3 level of readiness called Round House. Our military forces are on increased readiness for action. The Air Force can mobilize planes in fifteen minutes anywhere in the world. I can authorize a change in status up or down depending on the outcome of this meeting, Madam President.” Carlo looked at Mary.

  “I will decide if a change is necessary at the conclusion of this meeting, Carlo,” Mary acknowledged.

  “Then, I will turn the discussion of our military space status over to General Bradstone—Bill?”

  General Bradstone nodded his head and spoke with authority in a clear voice. “I just returned from a visit to Mars. We are working closely with the Holtu androids in determining our strategy to defend Mars and Earth from future Yoyka attacks. High Leader Altek is helping us understand Yoyka technical capabilities. His team of scientists is working with our scientists to analyze the warship debris and bodies we found on Mars and nearby in space. We have gained substantial information on the level of Yoyka space technology, warship offensive and defensive weapon capabilities and more. The Holtu believe we can resist or even defeat any future Yoyka attack if we can build up our defensive forces to appropriate levels in time. This will require many millions of military personnel from Earth and Qumru to join forces with the Holtu military forces, which only number around ten million. Yoyka military force strength is estimated at fifty million using data from Holtu surveillance probes sent to the Yoykan star system.