by Don Viecelli
“We have limited time to achieve the armed space forces we need according to High Leader Altek; perhaps as little as six months. Altek fears the Yoyka will attack Holtu as soon as he can gather a strike force large enough to win a space battle against Holtu forces. Surprisingly, the Yoyka do not have as many warships as one might think. They have relied on their nanomachine weapon to infect, subdue and conquer other planets instead of using traditional space warfare methods. This may give us enough time to build up our own defensive forces to repel attack.
“To defend our own solar system from Yoyka attack, High Leader Altek currently has two warships stationed near Mars. Another eight warships will arrive soon to help guard and patrol our planets. Each warship carries one hundred Zoltu fighter craft and pilots. We will begin sending Air Force and Marine pilots to Mars to be trained on these fighters. They will become part of Earth’s new UN Space Strike Force, UNSSF. In addition, the Holtu military has sent us design plans so we can immediately start building more Zoltu fighter craft and weapons in our factories on Earth. Our goal is to build several thousand new fighters by the end of this year.
“Here on Earth, the UN will have absolute authority for the new UN Space Defense Group. Member Nations will contribute people and military supplies as needed. The US Armed Forces already has an Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado with more than fifty thousand military personnel stationed at more than one hundred locations around the world. Combined with similar military organizations in other major UN Member Nations, we can help build and support the UNSSF quickly.
“My command feels we can contribute two million soldiers to the UNSSF immediately with over one hundred thousand pilots and crewmembers for Holtu training on Zoltu fighters and warships. High Leader Altek has assured me that Zoltu fighters are more than capable of destroying Yoyka warships if pilots are properly trained and willing to fight. That is all I have to report for now, Madam President.”
Mary thanked the general and turned to Susan Liang, Secretary of State. “Susan, what is the current situation at the UN?”
Susan Liang was of Chinese decent, in her early fifties with long black hair, round face and brown eyes. She was a distinguished business woman who had travelled widely before joining Mary’s administration. Susan knew many heads of state on a personal basis and used that experience to perform her government duties at a very high professional level. Mary respected her judgment on most topics.
“The UN Regional Headquarters in Geneva Switzerland is the acting Official UN Headquarters until the UN Complex in New York City is rebuilt, Madam President. Director General, Alejandro Garcia Lopez, is Acting UN Secretary-General until a formal vote by the UN General Assembly is held next month. Most UN Member States are still coming to grips with what happened in New York City, but they do agree with the establishment of the UN Space Defense Group and are willing to support the effort, Madam President.”
“That’s good to hear, Susan,” Mary said. “I think it’s time to hear what is planned for the trip to Holtu from our visitors from Mars. Perhaps, Lieutenant Colonel Martin can fill us in.”
“Thank you, Madam President, for letting us attend the NSC meeting today. I will tell you what I know. The Holtu androids serve as the military arm of the Qumru people. They protect and serve their race as directed by the Qumru First Council Leaders. Since most of the Leaders on Qum have been enslaved by the Yoyka nanomachines, only one First Council member escaped, First Chair Cleota, which some of you have already met on the Solruku spaceship that made contact with Mars. Cleota and the Solruku are on their way to Holtu as we speak. It is a long journey, almost twenty light years from Earth. At their current level of hyperspace travel, it will take sixty days to reach Holtu. Many people go into cryostasis sleep during the trip.
“Four of us plan to travel to Holtu; my wife, Doctor Janice Martin, General Bradstone, Vice Leader Di and myself. We will leave tomorrow on High Leader Altek’s command warship, the Iconda. As I mentioned, it will take us sixty days to reach Holtu. We will spend two weeks there. The purpose of the trip is to meet with both Holtu and Qumru leaders; First Chair Cleota and First Chair Brendu, the Holtu android leader. General Bradstone will discuss military issues with both leaders and discuss contract terms for a military alliance with the Holtu and Qumru. General Bradstone and I will also visit military facilities and inspect the military capabilities of the Holtu. Doctor Martin will meet with one of the Qumru scientists, Tumil, to analyze and test the latest nano-agent solutions on the Yoyka nanomachines. I will act as the UN Representative and help negotiate contract terms with the Qumru and Holtu for the new Military Alliance against the Yoyka.
“If all goes according to plan, we will return within five months. Fortunately, all aspects of the trip can be viewed in near real-time communications over the new quantum transmission links, QTL, that have been established between Holtu, Mars and Earth. QTL communications will revolutionize our method of contact with other alien races in the universe. Our world has suddenly been opened up to a whole new level of reality. We can never go back to what was; only move forward. That’s all I have, Madam President.”
Mary said, “I hope your journey is safe, productive and successful. Our future depends on it. Please do keep us informed every step of the way. Thank you all for everything you have done for us. We look forward to this new alliance with the Holtu and the Qumru people.”
The meeting continued for another hour. There was still much work to do in preparation for the inevitable war with the Yoyka that was sure to follow. Mary just hoped they had enough time to get ready before all hell broke loose.
Chapter 9
The Iconda
Vice Leader Di piloted the Holtu space shuttle back to Mars and prepared to land on the hangar deck inside the Holtu command warship Iconda, named after the capital city of Holtu. The Iconda was the same metallic gray color as the Qumru passenger spaceship Solruku, but its design was completely different. It was not disk shaped like the Solruku, but rather a long rectangular shape almost one kilometer in length and half a kilometer wide across the center. The Iconda bow was pointed in front and the stern squared off in back with several layered platform structures above the main deck that contained massive weapon systems on every side that reminded Doug of Earth’s US battleships. Looking out the windows of the space shuttle as they approached the warship, Doug saw little signs of the damage caused by the battle with the Yoyka Imperial Dreadnaught Yoykan Malee. The Iconda was fully repaired and ready for its Journey back to Holtu.
“This ship is massive!” Doug said to no one in particular.
“It is the biggest warship the Holtu have produced so far,” Di replied. “We will need more.”
Di contacted the command tower and received permission to approach the hangar deck. Two massive doors opened on the Port side and Di flew expertly inside and landed. Moments later it was safe to exit the spacecraft and walk down the ramp.
Doug noticed the hangar was full of Holtu androids and humans working near the Zoltu fighters. “What’s going on, Di?”
“High Leader Altek thought it wise to begin training some of your human pilots on the Zoltu fighters while on our journey to Holtu. There is no time to waste.” Di led the group through the hangar bay to one of the side exit doors.
Doug helped Janice avoid some maintenance equipment being moved by workers. “Careful, Jan! I don’t want you hurt before we even leave Mars.” He gripped her hand tightly.
Janice smiled at Doug, “Don’t worry, I’m not fragile.” She thought Doug was more worried about their baby than he was willing to admit.
General Bradstone was following the group when he stopped to look at a Zoltu fighter craft up close. “I hope we can build these quickly on Earth.”
Di stopped and turned around to face the general. “They will be no more difficult to produce than your current spacecraft. However, the carbon nanotube materials will have to be completely upgraded from what your manufacturin
g processes use today. They must include the embedded sensors we use on the Zoltu to work with our monitoring systems. The engineering designs have been sent to your people.”
General Bradstone rubbed his hand along the surface of the fighter wing. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, but also strong. The Zoltu fighters were 30 meters long, 10 meters wide at the wings and 3 meters in diameter at the center. They could seat two pilots with room for up to four additional passengers if needed. He could envision an entire UN Space Strike Force made up of these fighters to protect Earth, Mars and the rest of human solar system from aliens such as the Yoyka.
Di made his way to an elevator at the center of the Iconda on the same deck level as the Hangar Bay, which was located on Level 10. Di explained, “The Iconda has 20 levels. The Command Center and Bridge are on Level 1. Levels 2-9 are composed of crew working areas and contain all weapon firing systems. The Hangar Bay uses three Levels 10-12. Levels 13-16 are for dining, recreations, living, resting and have cryostasis sleep chambers for long distant space travel by non-androids. Level 17 includes medical facilities and some Onutu regeneration chambers. Levels 18-20 house the FTL hyperdrive system and storage areas.
Di continued, “I am taking you to the Command Center on Level One where High Leader Altek will meet us to discuss our journey to Holtu.”
The elevator doors opened and everyone followed Di inside. Di pushed the button for Level 1 and they moved quickly to the top deck of the warship. When the doors opened they entered the Command Center where several Holtu androids were working at their stations. High Leader Altek turned around and motioned for the group to follow him to a side room where it was quieter to talk. He and Di exchanged salutes, which was a right arm across the chest with bottom of the fist pointed outwards. “Welcome aboard the Iconda, Quests.”
General Bradstone spoke first. “It is our pleasure to see you again, High Leader Altek. You have met everyone here before. I hope we are not inconveniencing you at your duties.”
“Not at all, General Bradstone. We are just preparing to leave your solar system. Since you have all arrived, we can now depart.”
“Would you mind explaining what will happen on our journey? You must know humans have never travelled in hyperspace before,” Bradstone said.
“Certainly. I’m sure Vice Leader Di has described the details of hyperspace travel for some of your people already. Once our warship reaches the speed of light we will transition through the hyperspace barrier where dark space physics apply. We will essentially cut through the curved universe, which will shorten the distance considerably between stars. Since our FTL hyperdrive uses quantum energy, what you call ZPE, our Quantum Thruster power system will increase our speed to thirteen point eight nine light years per hour, or three hundred thirty three point three six light years per Earth day. Holtu is approximately twenty light years from Earth. Our journey will take sixty of your days to reach our destination. Once we reach Holtu, our engineers will install new FTL hyperdrive equipment, which will increase our light speed capabilities. It is a new development achieved by Qumru scientists before the Yoyka attacked Qum. The Yoyka will not expect this from us.”
“May I ask what the speed improvement will be?” Doug asked.
“It is still under development, but it will be a very dramatic increase that could change the outcome of our war with the Yoyka.”
“Impressive, High Leader. Will we have access to this new technology?” General Bradstone inquired.
“Certainly, General. All our warships and Zoltu fighters will be equipped with the new FTL hyperdrive capability as soon as they become available. This is one of the reasons I am returning to Holtu to discuss the upgrades with our First Chair Leaders.”
“If I may ask, what will we be doing on this warship for the next sixty days before we reach Holtu?” Doug wanted to know.
“I have discussed this with Di and you are free to decide for yourselves. You may remain awake during the whole journey, or you may decide to enter the cryostasis chambers and sleep for the duration of your trip. It remains up to you,” Altek answered.
Doug looked at Janice and the others before speaking. “I would like to learn more about your warship and its weapon capabilities before using the sleep chambers, High Leader. And my wife has more work to do on the Yoyka nanomachine solution before we reach Holtu if that is alright with you.”
“That is not a problem, Colonel Martin. You will find many of your human pilots in Zoltu fighter training during our journey. By the time we reach Holtu, several hundred human pilots will be prepared to battle the Yoyka in defense of your worlds. They will train others when we return to Earth.”
Doug looked at General Bradstone and knew the general was planning to stay up with the troops during the entire journey to Holtu. Sixty days was not a long time in military training terms and the general had the responsibility to prepare Earth’s solar system for war with aliens. He was not about to waste time sleeping.
Chapter 10
Journey To Holtu
Life aboard an alien warship did not appear that much different than a navy ship on Earth, Doug thought as he walked with Janice to the dining area located on deck Level 13. Apparently the Holtu did not believe in superstitions about the number 13. Di had escorted everyone to their new living quarters on Level 14 after the meeting with Altek and told them how to get to the dining area to eat some dinner.
General Bradstone decided to stay in his room and make military staff calls to Earth before eating, so Doug and Janice went by themselves to find the dining area.
“This warship is so clean,” Jan commented as they walked arm in arm down the narrow hallway.”
“The Holtu seem to be obsessed with cleanliness I noticed also. But then, androids don’t have the same needs as humans or Qumru for that matter. They don’t need to eat anything.”
“Are you hungry, dear?”
“I’m starving! I haven’t had anything to eat since we left the White House.” Doug said with enthusiasm.
“I hope the food is decent. I can’t imagine androids caring about food or how to cook it.”
“You’re forgetting there are plenty of humans on board this ship and they have to eat also. I imagine the military sent a few cooks up here to feed their pilots. One thing the military does quite well is provide great food for their soldiers.”
“I’m surprised there are no Qumru on board; at least none I’ve seen so far,” Jan commented.
“The Qumru do not participate in the Holtu Military from what Di has told me. They are a peaceful race and leave all military matters to the Holtu. That is why the Holtu need us; to help fight the Yoyka. They need soldiers; we need their technology. Together, we may have a chance to win the war.”
“You don’t sound too optimistic.”
“I’ll feel better after I see what’s on Holtu. So far, I’ve only seen these few Holtu warships and I don’t think there are more than a hundred Holtu androids on each ship. It will take a lot more people to fight the Yoyka if they are as strong as we’ve been told.”
They finally reached the dining area after taking one elevator and walking down several different hallways. They knew they were getting close when they could hear loud voices and smell food in the hallway.
“Well, we found the dining room,” Jan finally said as Doug opened the door.
They stepped inside and looked around. It was a large area; big enough to hold over a hundred people. There were approximately twenty large tables and several small tables to sit down and eat. The food area was set up cafeteria style and there was a line of men and women picking out what they wanted to eat.
“It does smell good,” Jan said as they picked up their trays and utensils and got in line. Most of the people ahead of them were pilots or maintenance personnel from the insignias on their uniforms and work clothes. It was strange to Doug to see the new UN Space Strike Force logo on everyone’s clothes. Doug still had on his US Marine uniform with Lieutenant Colonel Insignia
consisting of a silver oak leaf, but he would soon be wearing a UNSSF uniform when his transfer orders were made official. For now, he was still a Marine and the Acting UN Deputy Secretary for Mars.
Jan and Doug selected the food and drink items they wanted and were looking for a place to sit down to eat when they saw a familiar hand waving to them from a back table. It was Doctor James Colbert sitting alone in a corner table. They quickly walked over.
“I didn’t know you were coming on this trip, James,” Doug said loudly as he approached the table.
“It was a last minute decision, Doug. It sure is nice to see you and Jan.” James looked relieved as he stood up to shake Doug’s hand and gave Jan a small hug.
“How long have you been on board?” Jan asked.
“I came up yesterday with a few other scientists from Mars along with the Holtu androids tasked with analyzing the Yoyka salvage.”
“How’s that going?” Doug asked sitting down to eat.
“I think the Holtu have found enough data to predict the Yoyka warship weapon capabilities. The Yoyka weapon systems are similar to the Holtu weapons; maybe a little more powerful. However, the Holtu warships have stronger energy shields. In a space battle I believe it would depend on which side has the greater number of warships, or perhaps space fighters to win the battle.”
“That would make the Yoyka sure winners from what I know,” Doug said between mouthfuls of food.
“You may be right, Doug, but the Yoyka depend on their nanomachines to conquer planets more than troops and warships. They may have never fought against another alien race with similar technology. I think the Yoyka will try to attack the Holtu as soon as possible to eliminate the threat.”
“Di and Altek both agree with you on that subject. That’s one of the reasons General Bradstone is visiting Holtu with us on this trip. He wants to see for himself what the military capabilities are for the Holtu and the Qumru. He fears we will have to do most of the military ground combat with the Yoyka if it comes to that.” Doug finished the food on his plate and took a sip of coffee.