Here Comes Earth: Emergence (26 page)

Iron
Jaw
was going over the situation with us and I was getting a good
understanding of why he was nicknamed ‘Iron Jaw’. With his chest wrapped in
bandages he had propped himself up on a counter in the foyer of the same
building the Coridian enclave was in.

He
had refused anything beyond basic first aid until the situation was sorted out,
and when offered a blanket (because there were no shirts immediately available
that would fit his barrel-chested torso) he shook his head and simply pulled on
the dirty remains of his own scorched tunic. There were more comfortable sofa
seats or benches but I suspect he wanted to remain visible to the team. I had
studied the history and effects of leaders but I had never studied leadership
itself. I was pretty sure Major Reynolds could write a textbook.

“The
Noridians were extremely ineffectual in their attack,” Major Reynolds was
saying.

I
think several of us were incredulous at that statement. Someone spoke out,
“Ineffectual hardly seems like the right word.”

Major
Reynolds, without emotion, calmly explained. “The fact that they took out the
ship with what we think was a kinetic shot from orbit tells us that they
couldn’t take the chance some of us might still be onboard and possibly escape.
Their mission was to exterminate our entire team.

“In
addition,” he continued. “The three gunmen that stalked the city weren’t
coordinating with each other. If they had followed even basic urban infantry
guidelines we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

“Finally,
they waited to storm this building and rescue our prisoner until well after the
other attacks were underway. That allowed me time to set my ambush with Delta
team. If a professional had been planning the operation it would have happened
simultaneously with the other assaults to maximize on the element of surprise.”

“How
many men did you lose, Major?” I asked.

“Nine,”
came the reply.

I
was doing the math in my head and realized that fourteen of our unarmed military
had gone up against four Noridians; five if you counted our unarmed liberated
prisoner. The price was nine of our guys killed and one wounded.

“We
may still have a problem or three,” the Major continued.

“If
that was a kinetic projectile that destroyed the ship it was launched from
orbit. That means that a Noridian ship could still be there. Dr. Andretti tells
me that it wouldn’t be uncommon for the entire crew to come planetside. That
would explain the delay in freeing our prisoner; one of them would’ve needed to
stay behind long enough to take out our ship but we can’t count on that.

“We
also can’t communicate with Major Reagan. Their assault team took out the Coridian
communications equipment when they were freeing their pal so we’re going to
have to wait for their return and hope they don’t get surprised.

“We
also have to figure out what to do with our prisoners.”

Of
the five Noridians three were dead. Only the gunman that had been after Julie
and I and our original prisoner were still alive. He went on to explain that
the prisoners were currently sedated and under guard.

Julie
now spoke up for the first time. She had been very quiet since the incident and
hadn’t left my side; going as far as to grab my arm when they tried to separate
us to clean her up.

“How
did they find us here?” she asked.

Iron
Jaw ground his teeth
and said, “We don’t know. All we can
go on is what Dr. Andretti says and she is guessing that either Silva was wrong
when he said the Noridians couldn’t trace their ship or more likely, that they
guessed several locations we might head to and sent small teams to all of
them.”

“Which
means,” I said. “That when they don’t hear back from these guys they’re going
to know we’re here.”

There
was heat in Julie’s voice when she said, “We need to find some guns and blow
them to pieces when they arrive.”

Major
Reynolds was shaking his head. “The weapons the Noridians were carrying with
them are bio-locked and as truly hard as I find this to believe Dr. Andretti
insists that there are no Coridian or Stigerian weapons here and that they
don’t even have the designs to make any.

“We
could probably figure out some basic design parameters ourselves but there’s no
real time for that – let alone testing and training.

“What
we are going to do is arm ourselves with swords and knives. Dr. Andretti has
found some Stigerians that are willing to manufacture these items for us. We
can also develop some defensive and advance warning procedures. They won’t find
us unprepared again.”

What
I assumed were Stigerian medical personnel were now surrounding Major Reynolds so
Julie and I started walking slowly through the foyer. I didn’t know where we
were going but I sensed that Julie was perhaps still a little dazed so I just
went along. Including when she stopped and put her arms around me, head to my
shoulder, holding on tight.

We
stood like that for a moment; silent. I had the same deep feeling again that I
needed to protect her but this time it wasn’t a surprise; it was like I’d
always felt that way.

Without
lifting her head she said, “They’re going to come after us. How can we defend
ourselves with just swords and knives?”

“It’s
better than rocks,” was the only thing I could say.

Major Mathew Reagan, US Army

The
ship we boarded to travel to the retreat was very different than the one we’d
travelled on thus far. From the outside it looked more like an oversized US
Space Shuttle except without the wings, tiles, or seams; it was totally smooth.

The
inside was roughly triangular with a casual sitting area up front and rows of curved
seating occupying the widest portion in back. In the front of the cabin where I
would normally expect to find the door to the cockpit was just a wall with a view
screen.

Semi’s
First Protégée Dien and two female Stigerians were escorting us to the retreat.
While the Stigerians provided refreshments Dien was explaining that ‘First
Protégée’ was indeed a title but it was one she had given herself. Semi was
gracious enough to mentor her and this was her small way to show appreciation
and respect.

While
she was polite and answered almost every question I threw at her she reiterated
that I would have to speak with Semi about communicating with Earth.

I
was feeling a little irritable until I heard a little voice in my head whisper,
‘Do you miss her already?’

With
years of practice it wasn’t that hard to slip back into a professional mode of
thinking and the truth was I didn’t need the distractions right now.

A
trip that would’ve taken our fastest rocket months took the Coridian shuttle
only a few hours. Once we had arrived on the airless moon we were escorted from
the pressurized landing bay to a small area that had both steps going up and
going down. We went up a few steps into what had to be the most breathtaking
observation deck imaginable. The room itself was shaped like a small dome, with
a slanted two-thirds of it totally transparent. There were tables and
comfortable seating for maybe a dozen people but no one was sitting or talking
right now.

Dien
had explained to me that the retreat was located near the terminator of one of
the smaller tidal-locked moons of a double ringed gas giant. What I hadn’t
realized is that this meant that nearly a third of our view would always be
taken up by the unfathomable colors and depths of the gas giant itself while
the other two-thirds encompassed a massive set of rings angling through our
vista. Vivid colors I couldn’t begin to describe would actually change hue
depending on whether they were being lit by the star of this system, the
reflected light of the planet, or the dim reflections of a million far away
stars.

None
of us had spoken yet and I think I had subconsciously started counting the many
moons circling this planet when Semi said, “Welcome to my retreat.”

Anzio
was quietly muttering something in Italian when I said, “Thank you Semi for
sharing this with us and thank you for giving us a moment to take it all in.”

She
smiled and nodded to me before stepping over to Anzio, taking his hands and
whispering back to him in Italian. I’m not sure what she said but judging from
Anzio’s smile it was nice.

For
the few moments of their conversation it occurred to me how right they looked
together. All Noridian women are tall and Semi was taller than most but Anzio
still had several inches on her. He was also showing more confidence and
natural flair than I’d ever noticed.

They
shared a final laugh and then she moved on to great Dr. Decker. All in all she
was a very lovely, very gracious lady.

∆∆∆

“Semi,
we need to get a message to our people back on Earth and we were hoping to pass
it through some of your people there.”

We
had retired downstairs to a dining area and were speaking over what was
actually a quite good dinner.

“Major,
we would be happy to assist you,” she replied. “However, I’m not sure that your
people are going to trust a message coming from us or that we’ll even be able
to get it to the people that need to hear it.”

Captain
Silva interjected. “Major, I can provide a conduit to Military Intelligence and
I’m assuming you have some one-time codes that could validate your identity?”

When
I nodded Semi picked up the thread again, “Good, then when we return to Stiger
you can use our equipment there to send your message. In the meantime though
I’d like to speak to you about your situation and how we might be able to help
each other.”

I
was open to any and all ideas and suggestions and, as I suspected, Semi was
focused on convincing us that our best interest could be served by aligning ourselves
with the Coridian Dynasty.

I
had jokingly made a comment that they should be careful; there were a number of
people on Earth that they might not want as part of their family…

“Major,
permit me to outline your options as I see them,” Semi said and then paused.

After
I nodded assent she continued. “You could of course agree to become a Noridian
Protectorate but I think you’ve seen how ruthless they can be. Earth would lose
its independence and you would not be in control of your own destiny as far as
galactic society goes. The worst part though would be suffering from the
Noridian arrogance and disrespect. Although I am sure they would give you
technology that would seem like riches I suspect that Earthers would always be
impoverished by galactic standards.

“A
second option would be to choose to become a protectorate of the Coridian
Dynasty. Different dynasties are by definition differing cultures and I think
you’re realizing that the Coridian Dynasty has a much different temperament
than Noridia. Earth would feel like a partner with us rather than a conquered
people.”

“But
we’d still lose our independence, wouldn’t we?” I suggested.

“As
a dynasty protectorate, yes, any achievements Earth attains would be attributed
to the Coridian Dynasty but the better that Coridia does the better Earth will
do also – something that wouldn’t be true if you were aligned with the Noridians.”

Despite
the nature of the discussion I was very appreciative of Semi. Dealing with Jaki
had an oily feel to it whereas I felt that Semi was making a genuine effort to
lay out the facts as she saw them, but that was the rub; should I accept her
point of view as our point of view? I wasn’t ready to do that yet.

“Semi,
something’s been bothering me,” I said. “I’ve asked this question a couple of
times now and I’m not satisfied with the answer. I understand that Earth is a
dynamic technological culture that is growing at a faster rate than anything
you’ve experienced before but I feel there’s more to it.”

Semi
lightly brushed her lips with her napkin and said, “Major, that deserves a
straightforward answer but I’m in the habit of having a local tea after dinner.
Might we return to the observation dome and continue the conversation there?
Oh, and Dr. Spelini I would be honored if you could join us. Perhaps between
the three of us we can come to an understanding…”

∆∆∆

The
tea was really very good but I would’ve preferred coffee. The view was still as
incredible as ever but this time it had been set to music. I recognized it as
an Earth composer but it was Anzio that named the score; The Planets by Gustav
Holst.

After
we had again admired the view and the music for a few moments Semi broke the
reverie by saying, “The answer to your question is that if Earth becomes a
protectorate of Noridia they will forever bury any question of their genetic
wrongdoing. Only Earth’s protector could raise an issue like that and they’ll
hardly raise it against themselves. That is certainly the foremost reason they
want control over Earth.

“On
the other hand if you were aligned with Coridia we could raise the issue for
you. We could take it to The Accord and if nothing else assure that the
Noridian Dynasty never becomes a Lower House. I think that would bring some
justice for the murders of your space platform personnel. In addition, of
course, the Coridian Dynasty would be spared the threat that a Noridian Lower
House would entail. In other words major we both win.”

After
a moment I said, “Ok, you’ve given us two options, now give us a third.”

She
paused with the teacup halfway to her mouth and cavalierly said, “I don’t think
there is a third option; at least not a practical one.”

“There’s
always another option,” I said. “We could accept the protection of no dynasty
and go it on our own. How else could we make sure that Earth remains
independent?”

“Major…”
Semi stopped when Anzio quietly interrupted, “Semi, you need to understand that
Major Reagan he is very serious. We Earthers, as you call us, are a very
stubborn people. We value our freedom and independence and it would not do Coridia
well to underestimate that.

“I
think perhaps that you see us through your eyes, yes? And you think we will
think the same way you do. What needs to be is for you to have a paradigm
different. To see things from our viewpoint – and that view it no includes us
giving up our sovereignty,
capisce
Semi?”

She
was silent for a long time. Finally she said, “I guess I have gotten used to
most people accepting my opinions in general even if they don’t always follow
the details. You’re trying to tell me that I’ve got the big picture wrong; and
it’s been a long time since I’ve had to admit to something like that.”

“Gentlemen,”
she continued. “I’m going to have to put some serious thought into what you want
to achieve before I can possibly spell out any options in that direction but I
want to give you from the top of my head an idea of what you’re up against.

“First
of all the Noridian Dynasty is going to come after you. I
don’t think
they would risk exterminating an entire planet so if your people are willing to
pay the price you might outlast them long enough for us to get the attention of
The Accord but it would take a couple of centuries and I’m still not sure you
understand how incredibly monumental this opportunity is for Noridia – there
might not be much left of Earth even if you prevail.”

I’m
no diplomat and this is the type of gamesmanship that just burns me up but I
thought it was about time for some straight talk. Doing the best to keep the
anger from my voice I said, “It seems to me Semi that you’re playing what we
call hardball. If we gave in and became your protectorate you’d defend us
militarily but if we just want to be friends and allies you’ll just stand back
and watch us destroyed. Do I have that figured about right?”

Semi
quickly looked up at me with a shocked expression on her face. “No major, I’m
afraid you don’t understand. We have no military. Your protection from Noridia
is inherent as our protectorate – this is as dictated by The Accord. No matter
how desperate the Noridian Dynasty might get they would never go against that.
Without an official protectorate designation however we have no way to protect
you – no matter how much we might want to.”

“Why
can’t we appeal directly to The Accord?” I asked somewhat frustrated.

“Without
standing Major, The Accord is not going to respond to you. I’m sorry.”

I
got the sinking feeling she was telling us the absolute truth but I wasn’t
ready to give up.

“How
do we get standing? We need to be a dynasty? How do we do that?”

I
know Semi by this point must have felt as if she was humoring a child but to
her credit she didn’t act that way. She responded, “A spacefaring culture from
Earth could feasibly become a dynasty, name Earth as its protectorate, and
petition The Accord against Noridia for its genetic crimes but it could still
take centuries.”