Federation Reborn 2: Pirate Rage (75 page)

Monty nodded once grudgingly.

---<>))))

April smiled politely for the cameras as she warmed to the news she had. It was a bit of good news, and she liked it. She just didn't like that Knox hadn't been given dibs on reporting it.

However, she was a professional, she didn't let that minor annoyance color her voice or attitude as she opened the segment. “Ladies and gentlemen, this just in, we have received word that the star system of Centennial is okay. The Horathians didn't bomb it as expected,” April said with a show of relief.

“A sigh of relief is probably being emitted by more than just the people of Centennial tonight,” the red haired anchor said, smiling to her partner.

“Certainly so Miss O'Neill,” Charlie replied smoothly, momentarily taking the spotlight. He turned to the primary camera. “The
Spirit of America
task force has arrived in Centennial if you are just tuning in folks. We have received word that the Federation government has known for a week of their arrival.”

“One wonders why they waited to let the rest of the universe know,” April said, cocking her head, brown eyes flashing. She didn't like it that John hadn't given her a quiet heads-up.

“Well that is a good question,” Charles said. “We turn you over to Omar who covered the brief press conference. Omar?” he asked.

The anchor desk was superseded by an image of a tall man in a sheik turban and uniform. “I understand your question. The matter of why they waited so long was not brought up has been talked about in the press pool since the announcement had been made moments ago. Speculation would state that they had to wait until they were deeper in the star system and had gotten confirmation to be sure. However, today is Monday, so it might have been held back for political reasons. Like oh, downplaying the recent prison escape one might say,” he said slyly.

“You say
might
,” Charles corrected him. “And you did point out that no reason was mentioned. So all we have is speculation at this time, correct? No facts?” he said with a cool tone of rebuke in his voice. Knox News prided themselves on reporting the facts. Knox himself constantly reminded the reporters to get their facts straight and keep the commentary to a minimum.

“Ah yes, yes I apologize. I will ask the public affairs desk in a moment.”

“The news was that brief though, Charles?” April pressed.

“No um, they did announce that some of the relief material would still go down to Centennial to help them rebuild there. Apparently there are a few thousand survivors scattered in underground cities across the planet. They are reluctant to build on the surface however.
America
and
Fuentes
will be remaining in orbit to protect the star system and valuable transit junction. The rest of the convoy will move on to Gaston and then to Epsilon Triangula to help with the rebuilding,” Omar replied.

“Very good. Unfortunately, we haven't received word from the reporter we have embedded with the relief convoy. Perhaps she is waiting until they get into Gaston or ET to report in,” April said.

“Perhaps,” Charles said. “Omar, did they allow questions?”

“No, Charles, they did not unfortunately. It was a very brief announcement then back to work. I'm surprised they did it in the press room; it was almost an afterthought. They could have released it on their website, but I believe they wanted to draw some attention to the news.”

“Well, it is indeed news. And good news at that,” Charles replied. “And the new government does need a bit of practice with reporting such things. They haven't had much practice with good news as of late unfortunately. Hopefully things have changed.”

“Hopefully,” Omar replied. “Back to you in the studio,” he said hastily as someone walked by quickly.

“Thank you, Omar,” April said as the signal cut back to her and her partner. “That was Omar Shinar reporting from Antigua Prime's Federation offices.

---<>))))

Admiral Irons smiled a tight lipped smile as he shook hands with the Centaurian. “It is good to finally see you here. Thank you for taking the job.” He'd moved the meeting into a temporary office large enough to allow the massive Centaurian some comfort. Even the corridors between the boat bay and the temporary office had high ceilings.

She was one of his cabinet members who might be most comfortable on Antigua he thought briefly as they exchanged pleasantries.

“Yes, sir. Thank you for accepting me,” Sandra'kall replied. “And thank you for taking so good care of my only foal.”

“Foal …” Protector put a name up on his HUD. “Lieutenant Veber?” he asked. The Centaurian mare nodded. “No thanks are necessary. He is an excellent cyberist and a treasured officer. You taught him well,” he said with a slight bow to her.

“My thanks again, Admiral,” she said softly. “You have no idea how much those words mean to me.”

“It is just truth.” He smiled another tight lipped smile. “You took the oath of office with the attorney general this morning. I'm sorry I missed that,” he'd been detained by a conference call with 2-star system governors. “So, not to rush you, but I was wondering what you have in mind and how soon you can get to work,” he said.

“Truth, for the need, is great. Very well. I have spent weeks planning and going over the resources of the department while in transit. I have meditated carefully over the information provided to me prior to departure and at each stopping point along the way. I also took in what I could of each star system we visited. The resources you are providing, they are … not adequate for the job, but a start.”

The admiral fought not to roll his eyes as he sat back and crossed his arms. He'd heard that familiar complaint from every department head to date. By now he was used to it. But she had an ace the others had lacked. “We can build more industry as logistics dictate. It is exponential. The important thing is to start somewhere and grow from there.”

“Yes, sir. Agreed.”

“You said you have a plan. I am assuming you are going to work with the local star system governors and their industrial concerns,” he eyed the massive Centaurian. She nodded a human nod. “Good. I'm also guessing Antigua and Pyrax can take care of themselves, so you'll focus elsewhere. Can you give me an outline of your first quarter plans?”

“Yes, sir. I've been looking forward to it. It does hinge on other factors such as energy and education of course,” the Centaurian stated. “Triang and Senka are first-class candidates for additional investment, as is Kathy's World. I have a list,” she said, offering a tablet to him from her carrying sack.

The admiral interfaced with it through his Wi-Fi, downloaded the file, and then nodded. “Got it now. Thank you,” he said, holding up a hand.

She blinked her eyes and then slowly withdrew her hand.

“Gotta love implants. Speaking of which, and not to change the subject, you will need to get yours from Doctor Thornby and myself shortly. Now …,” he frowned as Protector scanned and then opened the document for him. He flicked a finger to move the list to the main display. “Some names aren't there, and I'm curious about your logic for excluding them. Richalu for one, Hidoshi's World and Protodon are others. Explain,” he said.

She nodded once as she looked at the tablet. “Well, sir, Protodon hasn't agreed to join the Federation yet. It is also in a war zone.” He nodded in encouragement and agreement to that point. “Hidoshi's World is a high candidate, but it is considered a war zone still. Any investment will carry unexceptionable risks of destruction or capture.”

“The marines and locals are working on that. There are some risks, but we can do a minimum investment.”

“You have political considerations, sir? You made commitments?”

“Minor ones at the moment. All member worlds want to get back to modern standards, and of course they want it right now, right this second,” he said, shaking his head. “But continue.”

“Yes, sir. Richalu is off the list due to a limit on their resources. They lack heavy metals as well as orbital supplies. What they do have is rather sparse and would be energy intensive to gather.”

“Okay, so they can wait. So, you wish to focus on Triang, which we've been doing, Senka, Syntia's World, Seti Alpha 4, and Epsilon Triangula?”

“Yes, sir, as an initial venture. We can also tap the start Prometheus made in the southwestern loop in the second quarter, sir,” she said pulling up the second list.

He nodded, sitting back to absorb her report. She had indeed thought it out rather carefully. He was impressed and relieved.

---<>))))

“Sir, they are here,” the Yeoman said over the intercom.

The admiral looked up. “Send them in,” he said. He smiled slightly as Captain Lyon led Master Sergeant McClintock and other hand selected officers and noncoms into the office. The group of eight came to attention smartly and saluted as one.

Admiral Irons rose from his chair and returned the salute smartly. “At ease. And Jethro, for the record, you've got the medal now too. I know it's a hazy area, but you are supposed to receive the salute,” he said.

“Technically you have it too, sir,” the black panther said quietly, flicking his ears as all eyes turned to him.

“Bast,” Admiral Irons said, pointing to a holographic emitter on his desk, “front and center. We need to fix your rank, young lady. And we have a lot more to discuss,” the admiral said as Bast's avatar appeared on his desk. “Now, the reason I gathered you all here is to be considered highly classified—code level Deep Blue. You are not to speak of this or matters pertaining to it to anyone. If they ask, you are to refer them to the senior officer in charge of this new unit or to me. If necessary, point to the UCMJ if pressed. Now, at ease. We have a lot of ground to cover …”

---<>))))

News came in on Thursday that Requiem 11 had a brief rather scary encounter with pirates. An unknown ship jumped into the cul-de-sac star system. Her frigate picket moved to engage. The enemy ship seemed ready to tangle but then changed their minds and withdrew.

Much to the dismay of Admiral Irons and others of his cabinet, Requiem 11 withdrew to neutral status. Avalon withdrew as well within hours. “If that is how you feel, we will leave the ansible if you wish to change your mind. However, we will withdraw the picket. We need it elsewhere obviously,” the admiral said over the ansible link.

“That is unacceptable,” the governor sputtered. “You will leave us defenseless.”

“You are doing that to yourself.”

“This is extortion. Blackmail!” the governor snarled. “This will not stand!”

“Oh no? Do you honestly think the other members of the Federation government will agree to spending money defending your star system when you aren't paying for it? Pay for the ship, the crew, the resupply ships … all of that adds up.”

“We can pay …”

“We're not mercenaries. If you wish to purchase a gunship, that's up to you. But we only sell them to members of the Federation. Sorry, that's the law. Why don't you take a moment to discuss the situation with your government. Let time cool some emotions. As an ancient saying goes, let cooler heads prevail. After all, the pirates didn't get through to the planet.”

“Yes this time because of that frigate.”

“Correct. Think it over,” the admiral said.

“We will need more assurances of security,” the governor said before the admiral cut the connection.

“Once we have the area secured, you'll have them.”

“And more trade.”

“We're working on that. Why don't you discuss it with your government and my chief of staff. Let me know what you are going to do tomorrow, shall we? Or better yet Monday?”

“Monday.”

“Thank you, Governor,” the admiral said. He checked the local chrono for Requiem and then the area where the capital was. “Have a good evening,” he said.

“Um, you too, sir,” he replied as the admiral cut the circuit.

“You were really willing to play hardball there,” Protector said.

“You sound surprised, Lieutenant,” the admiral replied, sitting back. “If they don't want to step up, they can sit back and watch the rest of the galaxy return to civilization. It'll burn after a while, being a back water. He knows it.”

“You think the withdrawal is a threat?”

“I think it is a knee-jerk reaction. The pirates have hit their star system several times. I'm surprised that they didn't see the frigate driving the enemy ship off as a good sign. Apparently I was expecting too much there.”

“The only good sign would have been if the ship had been caught or destroyed, sir. This just means they can come back,” Protector reminded him. “Or hit somewhere else.”

“Understood.” He frowned thoughtfully. “Obviously the picket in Proxima missed something … or got there after that ship arrived. I want a message to them to expect the ship when it comes out of the Requiem jump point. I want a hot and permanent reception if you catch my drift,” he growled.

“Aye, sir. Message sent as well as a copy of the contact report.”

The admiral nodded. “Good. Now we get to do some damage control and hope it hasn't hit the media yet.”

“Too much to hope for,” Protector said, opening a window to see a press conference going on. The Requiem and Avalon delegates were there in front of the lectern and cameras. The admiral groaned, head in his hands.