Jesse's Starship 3: Joshua's Walls (4 page)

“Who told you that?”

“No one. It doesn’t take much intelligence to see it. One more thing.” Shen stared at Josh, “Did you know that your father contacted the Leaders in Tehran three weeks ago and told them they were going to lose their gold bullion to an atomic explosion. He offered to send in enough planes to save them in return for trading their gold for his Chinese currency.”

“THAT’S A LIE!”

“Call him up and ask him. I know you have the means to speak with him. I’d be careful how you phrase the question, though. He won’t want to tell you the truth.”

Shen stared at Josh, leaned forward and pressed a button on his panel. The Senior Yehao appeared on a wall monitor and his father said, “What’s your status, Son?”

“Father we’re surrounded by the enemy and they will be able to break in the facility soon. I’ve managed to capture the leader of that damnable unit that has been causing so many problems. I just wanted you to know that he will die with me.”

Yehao smiled, “You make me proud, Son.”

“Father, I can delay the detonation for a short time. I thought that you might want to send in forces and confiscate all the gold bullion in the main bank. It will help fund your next efforts.”

“Don’t worry about that, Son. It’s been taken care of.”

Josh saw the immediate sadness on the young man’s face. He looked at his father, “If you did that, their leaders may have already escaped the blast.”

“That is a risk worth taking. You should go ahead and detonate the warhead now.”

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“How did you know three weeks ago that I would be in this situation now and not warn me?”

Yehao was surprised by the comment, “Uhhh…what do you mean?”

“It was three weeks ago when you took the bullion was it not?”

“I don’t remember the exact date, Son. Detonate the bomb.”

“Father, I’ve worked around you since I’ve been old enough to walk. You never forget any detail about wealth you acquire.”

“Yes, then; it was three weeks ago.”

“We could have moved the warhead out of Tehran with that much lead time. Why didn’t you warn me?”

Yehao’s face grew angry, “Do your duty, Son!”

The young man reached forward and pressed his panel; the image on the wall monitor disappeared. He turned to Josh and shrugged, “He really doesn’t know if I’ve done it or not. He held up the detonator and said, “I have one requirement.”

Josh tilted his head, “What?”

“All of the warriors that have fought for me will be taken to Sparta and the video of this meeting will be played to them. If you can work them into your society, they will be good citizens.”

He looked at the large warrior standing next to Josh and he said, “We’ve been used and betrayed.”

Shen nodded, “Yes, we have.” He turned to back to Josh, “Will you accept my terms?”

“How do you want this done?”

“I will stay here with you until an Alliance Transport can arrive and take them to Sparta. Once they’re off the planet, we’ll end this.”

“How do I know you won’t detonate it once your warriors are away safely?”

“They would still be under your guns.”

“We don’t kill unarmed people.”

Shen smiled, “You’ve just convinced me you will keep your word.” He looked at the large Chinese warrior and said, “I give my promise that I will keep this agreement.”

The large warrior looked at Josh, “He, unlike his father, will never break his word.”

Josh stared at the warrior and saw the steel in his eyes. Josh smiled, “You will join my unit after this is over. I like what I see in you.” The large warrior was startled for a moment and then nodded slightly and smiled. Josh lifted his Spartan Communicator, “Mike, I need a full size Alliance transporter send to Tehran immediately!!”

“Why?”

“To end the conflict on Earth.”

“One will be jumping in within the hour.”

Shen looked at Josh and passed a piece of paper over to him, “I’ve written the location of my father’s secret hiding facility. If you hurry, you can probably catch him before he realizes that the news agencies are not reporting a nuclear blast here.”

Josh smiled and lifted his communicator.

• • •

An hour later, Shen handed Josh the detonator and held out his hands. Josh shook his head, “You need to hurry to make the transporter.”

“Why would you want me to go?”

“Your men will believe you. They will probably question any video we show them.”

Shen smiled, “You are wise to be so young.”

How old are you?”

“Twenty three.”

“I just turned twenty one. I don’t have a corner on the market of wisdom. Thank you for discussing this with me. Your name fits you, wise and deep.”

Shen nodded, “I started not to speak with you but it was your youth that made me curious. How on Earth would your military leaders allow one so young to command such an elite unit?”

Josh burst out laughing, “They’re still trying to figure that one out.” He paused and said, “From about ten miles away.”

Shen smiled, “This gift is a freebie; General Yang is in my father’s employ.” Josh stopped laughing and Yehao said, “I’ll give you a list of the others later.”

Josh nodded and pulled the wires out of the simple detonator. A few moments later, a special bomb team rushed in and took custody of the warhead. Josh walked out of the building and was almost bowled over as Prissy rushed into his arms. “The wedding will be tonight. We can do it again later on Sparta after this mess is finally cleaned up.”

Josh kissed her deeply and when they broke for air he smiled, “Tonight it is.”

J
esse looked at the troops boarding transports at the George W. Bush Space Port in New York City. The Spartan Warriors were going home after five years of assisting him in getting Earth organized. The new Skyscrapers rising out of New York’s harbor seemed to bear witness to their departure. He had addressed the departing warriors and the entire planet watched the huge transports lifting on their personal monitors at home. The planet was at peace and the new technology being brought in by the Alliance was making the planet become a Camelot. For the first time, all mankind felt a kinship with each other. The future looked bright and unlimited where no humans were bogged down in hunger and poverty.

“I hate to see them leave.”

Jesse smiled and put his arm around Elle, who was holding their son, “They’re going home to Sparta to start training to assist the Gracken against the Weg. We’ve delayed too long in keeping that commitment.”

Elle shook her head, “I’ve seen the recordings of the battles with the Weg; they’re frightening.”

Jesse nodded, “I trust the leaders on Sparta will do the right things in the coming conflict.”

“I understand that many here want to join them.”

Jesse sighed, “Many are enlisting to fight.”

“Has the problem of citizenship been resolved?”

“Sparta has relented and agreed that any warriors from Earth that make it through basic training and take part in a battle will be allowed dual citizenship.”

“What about the Spartan Warriors that served here?”

“They also have dual citizenship. It appears that almost all of them consider themselves Spartans first and Earth’s citizenship second. They’ve never forgotten that Earth forced them to leave.”

Elle smiled, “For those with a warrior’s spirit, there is also something about qualifying for Spartan Citizenship.”

Jesse nodded, “I hate to admit it but I’m extremely proud of our Spartan Citizenship and being involved in the founding of Sparta. Once our time of service ends here…”

Elle smiled, “We’ll go home.”

Jesse smiled and pulled her close under his arm.

• • •

Commandant Alexander Dunlov watched the transports arriving at Sparta’s main military spaceport and was amazed at the number of returning veterans from The Earth Transformation Team. All of them appeared to be in high spirits and were looking forward to spending time with their families prior to combat training. He waited and looked for a particular transport to arrive. It was announced over the space port’s loudspeakers and he finally saw them exit one of the transports. He walked forward and waited as Josh and Pricilla Adams walked out of the landing bay and saw him waiting. Josh and Prissy went to attention and saluted. Alex returned their salute, “At ease; it’s good to see you back home.”

Josh smiled, “Thank you, Sir. It’s really good to be home. We want our child to be born on Sparta.” Alex looked at Prissy and smiled at her large midsection. Josh looked around and turned back to Alex, “Sir, why are you meeting us here?”

“I’ve been talking with Earth’s Leaders and they all speak highly of what the two of you did during Earth’s transformation to Alliance technology. They tell me you were able to prevent massive loss of life as well as convince the terrorists to change their ways.”

Prissy shrugged, “That’s not hard to do when you’re faced with a brigade of heavily armed Warriors.”

Alex smiled, “It took more than just arms to accomplish what you did. The important thing is that you stayed ahead of their planned attacks.”

Josh shrugged, “It took time but their leader finally came to understand that he and his troops were being misled and lied to.”

Alex smiled and started walking with them toward the main spaceport terminal, “I want the two of you to join my command team.” Josh and Prissy stopped walking and Alex said, “Josh, I want you to command the Third Division in the first Army.” Josh just stared at Alex as he turned to Prissy and said, “I am going to promote you to the rank of Colonel and put you in command of our intelligence efforts in the coming war with the Weg.” Alex turned back to Josh, “I am promoting you to Brigadier General and I need you to start getting your warriors ready to join the Gracken efforts as quickly as possible.”

Josh’s eyebrows were together as he looked at Prissy, “This feels like deja vu” He turned to Alex , “Sir, I met a lot of resistance when I was promoted to Colonel at eighteen over more senior officers. I don’t think your senior officers are going to like being passed over for promotion by a twenty two year old any more than the officers on Earth.”

Alex nodded toward the terminal and they started walking with him, “First of all, all my officers have no more than six years in Sparta’s army and you were there at the beginning. Second, what anyone else thinks about my promotions doesn’t concern me in the slightest.” Josh began shaking his head and Alex quickly said, “There was resentment after your promotion to Colonel. I won’t argue that point. There were a number of Captains that did resent your promotion ahead of them but that ended after your actions on Earth. You should know that every General on Earth requested that you to join their commands when you were promoted. Your actions on Earth are known by our Warriors and you have developed quite a reputation with them. What you did in Tehran was incredible.”

“What do you mean, Sir?”

“It started when you attacked that Gracken Beamship on top of that skyscraper when you were sixteen years old. They saw your bravery in that attack and when you led your brigade into Tehran and stopped the terrorists that were planning to detonate a nuclear warhead, the warriors saw your bravery again and learned that you didn’t sit back and send those under your command to die. You went with them. Your promotion will not be met with hostility. You’re just going to have to trust me on that; however, you will accept the promotion and do your best to make your command the best on Sparta.”

Prissy looked at Alex, “Are you saying these positions can’t be refused?”

Alex smiled, “Of course they can. You can always say no.”

Josh stared at Alex and then said, “But…”

“You’ll have to leave the army if you do.” Alex tilted his head and smiled, “May I assume neither one of you is ready to do that?”

Josh shook his head and looked at Prissy, who shrugged. “I’m tempted to call you on that, Sir. However, I’ll accept the promotion if I may choose my two brigade commanders.”

Alex stuck out his hand, “That’s a deal. Who do you want?”

“Captains Jackie Yokawo and Clifford Santiago. Both of them fought with me on Earth and have requested Spartan Citizenship. I also request that they be allowed to choose their executive officers.”

Alex shook his head, “You’re lucky I’m in a giving mood today. Done and done. I’ll notify them to report to you as soon as possible.”

Josh shook his head, “Sir, if you don’t mind, I’d like for them to have some time with their families before dropping this on them.”

Alex pursed his lips together and after a moment nodded, “Fair enough. I’ll cut the orders and you can contact me and let me know when you want them delivered.”

Josh nodded and Prissy said, “I saw the recordings of a Gracken attack on an infested planet.”

Alex nodded, “And?”

“It really doesn’t tell me enough about the fine details involved in making the landing and getting away. I’d really like to have one of our officers make a drop with the Gracken.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Josh, “I think that’s a good suggestion. Who would you like to send?”

“Captain Santiago, Sir. He’s the best I have at using available weapon technology on the missions he’s been assigned.”

Alex nodded, “Set it up, General.”

Alex turned and walked away and Josh and Prissy watched him leave. Josh looked at his wife, “What do you think about this?”

“I was wondering how I was going to fill my time while you’re training.” She put her hands on her belly and sighed, “I won’t be allowed to enter combat with you, under the circumstances. I guess I’m ok with it.” She looked at Josh and walked into his arms, “It’s like we discussed in the commuter plane after your promotion to Colonel; you had to prepare yourself for this eventuality.”

Josh held her and smiled, “How did I do?”

“I hate to say walking into that Iranian nuclear complex was the right thing to do…but no one else could have done it. I’m so very proud of you and I know your division will be one of the best on Sparta.”

“It was your intelligence reports that made it all work.”