A New Day (14 page)

"There is very little room for private enterprise in a totalitarian government," Ben finished. "It really is that simple."

"Nothing is ever that simple, Ben. However, I will think about what you've said," she promised.

Ben nodded. "Fair enough. All I can ask is for you to consider it."

As he finished speaking, Jorga left their bedroom wearing a pair of sweatpants and a tee-shirt. When she saw who was sitting in the living room she was embarrassed. "Mother! Why didn't you tell me the Emperor was here? I'm dressed like a bum!"

"It doesn't matter this time, babe. I need you and we don't have time for you to change," Ben said as he waved her into the room.

"Okay, what do you need?" she asked a little confused.

"We're in a state of emergency; the Lizards have destroyed the First Imperial Guards. Hjoolous came here to talk to me candidly, and I'll need you to interface with the Council so I can make decisions on the fly," Ben explained.

"Actually Ben, you might want to include all your ministers and advisers. I am going to be naming you as the ruler of this sector. You will need to prepare for that," Hjoolous said. Before Ben could protest, Hjoolous stopped him. "No Ben. It has to be you. For what we will need to ask of you, I would not trust anyone else."

Ben looked surprised but reluctantly nodded. "Mother could you ask everyone to join us. Make sure the Council can monitor the discussion so Jorga can tell me of their decisions and their advice."

"They will join you shortly, Prime Council. However, General Greenwold is involved in several battles at the moment and it would be unwise to take her away from that at this time," Mother replied.

"I understand, Mother. I'll try to handle her part of this then," Ben replied.

Without asking, Jorga got up and got refreshments for everyone and refilled Ben's coffee.

"While we await the others, may I ask a personal question of you?" Hjoolous asked.

"Sure," Ben said surprised.

"How long have you and the others been joined?" Hjoolous asked. "I admit it is unusual to see a human with a sibling as a mate though."

Ben was surprised. "Uh, well, we actually haven't been official joined. But Jorga and I have been together for the last three years. Although I should officially marry her one of these days, we are already joined in our hearts."

Hjoolous nodded. "That really is where the bonding takes hold. Glandril and I have yet to reach that level, but we are trying. Perhaps your words to her earlier will help us with that."

It did not take long for the rest of Ben's family and advisers to arrive. Once they did Ben spoke to them. "Everyone, Hjoolous has asked that titles and protocol be set aside for the time being. This discussion is informal, but vitally important to everyone. Listen to what is said, and reply honestly. This is very important.

"During the evening last night, the Empire lost one of its most important and strongest fleets; the First Imperial Guards." Ben finished.

"The most important fact involved there was the manner in which they were lost," Hjoolous said, picking up where Ben left off. "The Lizards formed up their ships and kept them on the defensive; hammering them with so many missiles so quickly, that the Guards never got the opportunity to fight back."

Marcy picked it up from the Emperor. "Ben, the computer systems in modern warships do not have the ability to multi-task. If a ship is under fire, as the fleet had been, they do not have the ability to track targets for the offensive weapons. If an enemy has the missile capacity and can get the first strike, they can keep the target in place and on the defensive until enough missiles get through to destroy them. Additionally, the ships cannot even jump to hyperspace unless the computer is free to handle the navigation."

"Admiral Yolinar tells me that you and your people do have computers that can, uh, multi-task. He feels that we desperately need to employ this technology or we could very well lose this war. He has asked me to allow your technicians full access to not only our computer control systems, but also to the designs of all our warships. This is at the core of what I need to discuss with you.

"Terrel III, Terra, is your world. When I officially give that to you, I will also give you control of this sector. That includes four other systems and everything in them. Which includes mining operations, two research facilities, and at least five potentially habitable planets.

"This is more than I would normally do. The reason for this is something Ranger Commander Halst told me she suggested you offer for your freedom. I would like to have you and your people undertake the refit and construction of our warships. However, in order to do that, it means that we can have no secrets from one another. Our trust must be absolute and beyond question. Because I will be giving you, and you alone, the ability and the tools to destroy the Empire."

"Hjoolous, I cannot give you what you are asking for without letting you know and understand exactly what it is you are asking," Ben replied. "Everyone, for a few moments, I will need all of you to step outside. The guards too. No one but Hjoolous and I can be in here."

When the guards protested, Hjoolous overruled them and ordered them to leave. Once the Room was empty, Ben looked at the ceiling. "Mother, Ultra secure mode. AI access only."

"Secure mode engaged. AI access only," Mother repeated confirming his orders.

"Hjoolous, what none of the others, and that includes the Council, know is that humans are not the only survivors of The Fall. At present, I am the only living being that knows of this. Normally, I would have never told anyone, not even Jorga. However, in order for you to understand exactly what you are asking for, you need to know, too. No one else can know this," Ben said seriously. "Not even your closest adviser or those you trust implicitly. No one can know."

"I understand, Ben,"

Ben sighed and looked up at the ceiling again. "AIDAN, are you there?"

"AIDAN systems are online. Good Morning Your Majesty."

"Good Morning," Hjoolous said in confusion. "Ben, what happened to your AI?"

"Nothing, this is the real AI. A Sentient AI called AIDAN. Mother is simply the local interface for it. It was created and brought online during The Fall. We don't have multiple AI assisting us; we only have one, and he controls everything."

"That is not entirely accurate, Prime Council. As I said when we last spoke, we are the linked minds of multiple artificial minds, resulting in a larger, more powerful intelligence," AIDAN replied.

"According to the records, and apparently unknown to AIDAN," Ben grinned. "The system achieved sentience during the height of the war. The ships that departed here each carried a quantum, meta-state computer system with an installed AI. Very similar to the ones installed here.

"Currently, AIDAN is the only member of his race. If we begin building and installing the AI systems in your warships, there is a chance they too will achieve sentience. Many people, my own included, would be uncomfortable with this situation."

Hjoolous nodded. "I see. AIDAN, if I may ask, what is keeping you caring for the lives of the people entrusted to your care?"

Hjoolous, Ben and AIDAN spoke for another twenty minutes before saying good-bye and returning operations to normal.

"That does shed a new light on this issue, Ben. Would you be willing to ensure that the same safety measures are used in the new AI that you would be building?" Hjoolous asked.

"I am sure if I didn't, AIDAN himself would. In addition to that, we can make sure that each AI has a kill code built into it that would shut down the system in an emergency, if needed," Ben said. "Now you know the deepest secret we have." He grinned, "Well, at least, that I'm aware of."

Hjoolous nodded. "I'm satisfied. Can we let the rest back in now?"

"Certainly! I'm going to have to come up with a reason for making them stand out there for this long though," Ben said as Mother let the waiting group back into the room.

When everyone was finally back in the room, Ben looked at Jorga. "What is the Council's opinion of accepting His Majesty's offer and to begin building ships for the Empire? This would mean we would be sharing all of our technology with the Empire, but they would be sharing most of theirs as well."

Jorga nodded. "They agree. It is their general consensus that we are already linked to the fate of the Empire; as such, it is in our best interests to ensure it has the best defenses we can make."

Hjoolous nodded and stood. "AI Mother, would you please record the following?" Hjoolous asked as he motioned Ben to kneel before him.

"Certainly Majesty," Mother replied.

"Prime Council Benjamin Bedouin, it has been proven to us that the planet Terral III, hereafter to be known as the planet Terra in the Sol system, is the originating home world of the human race. As the leader of the group of survivors of the long ago war that forced your brothers to leave, we are naming you Supreme Regent of this world. Do you accept this charge on behalf of your people?" Hjoolous asked.

Ben knelt before Hjoolous when he began to speak. "I do, Majesty."

Terran Marine Base Alpha

Command and Control

26 - 27 Apr. 10266 CE (AD)

Sector 34871 - Great Inland Sea

Earth, Sol system

"General, aerial assault drones successfully reconfigured of orbital attack," Mother replied.

"Thank you, Mother. Assign them to…" Gail began only to be interrupted by Mother again. "Alert! Lizard Marines detected on the surface. Lizard Marines have been identified in multiple locations. Effected Aeries are Cormorant, Gianha and Spireview. The research facility on the Aramic Plateau is also under attack."

"Order ground assault drones deployed to the Aeries. Can the Arabian base protect the Aramic Plateau as well as Spireview?"

"Negative, current drone compliment is insufficient to protect both targets," Mother replied.

Gail bit her lower lip. "How many people are at the Aramic Plateau?"

"Current compliment is fifteen hundred beings of various races. They are mostly human but there are several prominent Imperial Anthropologists located there," Mother replied.

"It doesn't matter who they are, Mother. They will all die if we can't do something about it. Redirect all local aerial drones to that location to slow the lizards down. Use all available assault and unarmed craft in the area to evacuate the Aramic Research facility to Aerie Spireview," Gail ordered. "Get me the commander of the Spireview Anti-Piracy department."

Yolinar had issued a general announcement to all civil authorities on the planet that the Duke had been arrested and told them who was now in charge. So when the somewhat timid looking being appeared on her screen, the being knew who Gail was.

"I am Task-Co-Commander H'vtrith of Spireview. What can we do for you, General?"

"We are attempting to evacuate the researchers on the Aramic Plateau, Task Commander. The lizards are assaulting them as well. Do you have any ships that can assist in either slowing the lizards or in the evacuation?"

"I believe we can, General. Our armed skippers are currently assisting your drones in defending the Aerie, but I am certain we can send a few to Aramic. I do have eight cargo shuttles I can commandeer that I will send as well. Where are you evacuating them too?" H'vtrith asked.

"For now, you are the closest defended destination. We just don't have anywhere else for them to go yet. Let's get them safe, then worry about getting them comfortable," Gail replied.

H'vtrith grinned. "I knew there was a reason I liked you humans! I'll get them moving, General."

Gail smiled back at her. "There are several of our aerial drones and shuttles that will be assisting you, Task Commander."

"We'll get them out of there, General. Protecting citizens is our job after all." H'vtrith replied. She turned and began giving orders. Then glanced back at her screen, "Is there anything else, General?"

"That'll do, Task Commander. If you have the time, could you put out the word that we need to know if there are any other research facilities or groups of unprotected civilians we need to worry about?"

"I can do that right after we get everything moving, General." She paused. "General, on behalf of my people, thank you."

"For what? I haven't done anything," Gail replied surprised.

"Yes you are, General. You care. You're trying to save us. The Lizards would have never done anything like this, even if they were the ones getting attacked. As long as you care about the people here, we will support you as much as we can. That's what I was thanking you for," H'vtrith replied.

Gail smiled at her. "Task Commander, we can talk more once the emergency is over. For now, let's get our people safe."

H'vtrith nodded. "We will, General."

Gail winked at her and disconnected the call. She sighed. "Okay, what's next?"

"Drop carriers are preparing to jump!" Tracking reported.

Gail nodded. "Mother, how's Captain Coir doing?"

"All missile launchers are set up and ready to fire. The ship will be in position in four minutes," Mother replied.

"Will you have any problem controlling the missiles, AI Mother?" Yolinar asked.

"Negative, Admiral." Mother replied. "These systems are very similar to my own Mark VI Patriot launching systems. The differences are in the capabilities of the missiles themselves and not in the launcher."

"Understood Mother. Fire the missiles as soon as you can get a lock on them after jumping," Gail replied.

"General, we’ve got two Destroyers located. There doesn't appear to be any more, but we won't know for certain until after the engagement," Gerent said from the tracking section.

Gail nodded. "Your call, Admiral. Keep looking or take them out?"

"I am surprised he could find even the two that he has." Yolinar said. "Where are they, Captain?"

"One of them is above us and the other is on the opposite side of the planet, Sir." Gerent replied.

"We will engage them, please keep looking for any others, and let me know immediately if you detect any," Yolinar asked.

Gerent nodded at the order and got back to work with the techs. "AI Mother, what is the status of the specially equipped aerial drones?"

"Deployed and ready Admiral. Currently there are four drones available for each target," Mother replied.

"Please take the tracking information from Captain Oldstone and move them into position," he used the controls, now that he was more familiar with them, to connect with his brother. "Commissioner, we have located two Lizard destroyers in orbit with you. There may be more; I am sending you their location, but I would have you withhold attacking for the moment,"

"May I ask why, Admiral?" Commissioner Holdst asked.

"General Greenwold has prepared a surprise for them. With luck, it will force any other Destroyers that we cannot find to de-cloak and raise shields," Yolinar explained.

"I see. We will withhold any attack until you give us leave, Admiral," Holdst replied. "Commander Halst has secured the Duke and is returning to your location. Are you certain these humans will be able to contain him?" Holdst asked.

Yolinar nodded. "It will not be the first time the holding cells here have had Lizards as occupants. He will be very secure here. Also, in a few moments, several Lizard drop carriers will be arriving in orbit with you. We will be launching missiles to engage them, however, any assistance you can give to that effort would be appreciated."

"What of the firing solution for the missiles? Will we be in the way?" Holdst asked.

"Devils Breath has been given your transponder codes as friendly craft," Yolinar replied.

The commandant was surprised but Yolinar waved him off. "The Pirates had stolen a shipment of the missiles at the behest of the Duke; we are simply using them for a higher purpose instead of returning them to their owner."

"Admiral, the drones are in position," Mother replied.

Yolinar smiled. "AI Mother, please coordinate the attack so both ships are hit at the same time. They may engage when ready."

"Orders sent. Drones are in attack formation and climbing," Mother replied. "Firing solution is optimal. All weapons firing, maximum velocity."

"Great Grothil! What was that?" Holdst asked, but was distracted by someone off screen. "No, do not attack, wait for my order!"

In orbit, near the Commandant's ship, several small anti-matter explosions were detected followed shortly by the de-cloaking of a Lizard Destroyer. The explosions were against its hull and seemed to be eating into the deadly craft like acid.

The Destroyer on the far side of the planet did not get its shield up before the barrage of projectiles reached the power systems and destroyed the ship. However, the one above the Command pod did get its shields raised, however it was clear the ship was heavily damaged. The drones continued to fire until the keel shield generator overloaded and failed. Shortly after that, the ship exploded as the rounds detonated the missile warheads stored in the magazine.

"Lizard Destroyers have been destroyed, Admiral," Captain Oldstone replied grinning. "No other ships detected."

Yolinar smiled at the man and waved him to come back down to the tank. "Good work, Captain."

While Yolinar was engaging the Destroyers, Gail was dealing with the drop carriers. Just as the aerial drones fired, six drop carriers arrived in high orbit.

"I hope he's in position, Mother. Fire the weapons!" Gail ordered.

"Targets reacquired. Targets locked. Updating firing angle and tracking information. Firing launchers one through six," Mother replied. "Hot track, targets still locked. Impact in four minutes."

"Carriers are preparing to drop pods," the operations officer said. "The missiles aren't going to make it in time, General."

"Yes they will," Holdst said from the open comm window. "All craft, engage the drop carriers. We need to keep them from releasing their pods for three and a half minutes. Those humans just saved our fur, now we get to return the favor!"

Holdst ordered his craft into battle just as the last Destroyer blew up. Several of the police craft de-cloaked and moved into a higher orbit, firing at the drop carriers from below, where the drop hatches were located.

"If we don't get those pods before they are dropped this could get messy on the surface," Gerent said joining the commanders.

"We already have those nasty bastards on the surface, Captain. Four locations are already under attack by them," Gail said showing him the areas in the big tank.

Gerent looked and saw that the Aramic Plateau was in the most trouble. He nodded and opened a comm. "Hidodges, how's the Dew?"

'Just fine, Captain. She'll be ready for whatever we need," the man on the other end of the comm replied.

"Good, I need you to take her to the Aramic Plateau research facility and pick up as many civilians as you can stuff in the holds. Take them to Spireview Aerie. Coordinate with Spireview APC. I wouldn't mention that you are former pirates though."

"Departure stations!" the man, Hidodges could be heard yelling. "Will you be joining us, Sir?"

"No, I am needed here. You should know that the facility is under assault by Lizard Marines. If you need to fire the weapons, make damn sure of your targets; there are lot of friendlies trying to keep the lizards back," Gerent replied. "Do us proud, Son."

"We will, Dad," Hidodges replied and could be heard giving orders to the crew as the comm closed.

Gerent looked up at the Commanders. "If there is anyone left to rescue when they get there, Hidodges will get them out."

"General, we have lizard Marines reported at five aeries, but Argassi isn’t one of them. It's just regular troops there. The drones are holding them back, but just barely," the operations officer said.

"Damn." Gail said and looked down at the table, shifting the view to the Argassi battle zone. Bring our shuttles back and load up the troops. We're going to have to do this the old fashioned way. See if we can get any help from the Brazilian base," She paused. "Get the reserves equipped and ready, but do not deploy them."

"Reserves?" Yolinar asked. "You have additional troops?"

"Not exactly, Sir. The reserves are made up of regular civilians that have volunteered to serve in the military. We just haven't had the time to get them trained yet," Gail replied grimly.

"You would send untrained civilians into battle?" Yolinar asked.

"Considering what would happen if I do nothing, yes I would, Sir," Gail replied confidently.

Yolinar smiled at her. "There is far more to your people than we ever knew, General."

"With respect, Admiral. If the choice is to be killed after surrendering or die fighting it, even our children would pick up a weapon," Gerent replied. "There is no choice." He looked down as if in shame. "Although I feel that some of our brothers may have had that beaten out of them after centuries of Lizard rule."

"Then we will have to remind them, Captain," Gail said. "Once loaded, deploy our ground troops to defend Argassi." She drew a line across the wide bridge separating the majority of the city from the shore of the island it was built near.

The parts of the city that had been on the island had already been evacuated into the city when the attack had begun. From the looks of things, the Duke had been housing a large unit of his regular military on the island. There had been some units that had been in the city itself, but those had been dealt with quickly by the skippers of the Anti-Piracy Command as well as the drones Gail had ordered deployed there. Now the only threat to the city was the massed army occupying the evacuated parts of the city on the island.

"Can we shift any air cover over to them?" Gail asked.

"Not until the Aramic Plateau is done, until then, all we have are the shuttles that are going to drop them off and the manned skippers from Argassi Anti-Piracy Command," the operations officer replied. "Argassi APC has already lost three of their skippers due to ground fire from those troops."