Revolutionary (The Athena Lee Chronicles Book 4) (7 page)

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Militia Colonel Lee could not allow those troopships to escape. His daughters report had said that they were heading in a Northern direction over the mountains. The only armed support the Empire had on the planet was at the manufacturing center and the space port.

Only the manufacturing center was in the North. Checking his tablet he saw that the Empire had two special forces units stationed there along with an armored transport group. What they were armed with or their numbers was not shown. “Damn it! We don’t have enough troops.” He looked to his communications aide. “Contact the Governor on a secure line.” Looking to his second in command, his son Han, he said “wrap things up here. Coordinate with capitol police units to secure the prisoners and take charge of the emergency crews. I am leaving you the mixed unit. Draft any stragglers and do what you can for our people. I’m taking the two combat units and going after those murderers.”

“Father, Sir, let me go.”

“No, stay here. I am activating project Trojan horse so you will have plenty of organizing to do. Get with your sister I want a CAP of the capitol. Good luck.”

Switching frequencies the Colonel contacted the Governor. “Roy I’m activating project Trojan horse.” The Governor was arguing with him. “NO, no. We have to. You know that what we just did is a rebellion. Me and my troops just became revolutionaries in the eyes of the Senate. We need the support. Damn it to hell Roy! I know that stuff was for a rainy day, but its pouring now. Make the announcement. Please. If we don’t they could destroy everything that we have built here.”

Beneath the Capitol building inside the emergency bunker Governor Roy Stoner had his head bowed. He was saying a prayer for his people and their way of life. He looked up and signaled his people. “Contact the news agencies and tell them to stand by for an official announcement from me.” He tapped several buttons in sequence on his desk console. A hidden panel opened up on the side of his desk. The governor studied the new controls for moment then activated them. Turning to the cameras he began to speak to the planet.

Chapter 7

The Hong Kong planetary Militia came from an idea that a former colony ship captain had. Hong Kong had the crews from three such ships. Willing crewmen formed the cadre of what the militia became. Colony founders used a old Earth model created my the former Israeli and Swiss military. Military service was compulsory for all 17 year olds. The militia itself was made up of less than 3% of the population. The rest were considered auxiliary or conscripts. The auxiliary had all taken a seven week basic training course and had four weekends a year muster meetings. All residential houses or apartments were required, by law, to have shelters provided for residents. In each community centrally located shelters and emergency services were available. Due to the war between the PPL and the AA defensive gun batteries had already been emplaced. When the Empire was formed the militia had been stood down and its weapons slated for destruction.

Empire troops were found to be inadequate to assist the planet with pirate defense and natural disasters. This and some political maneuvering brought about the rebirth of the militia. With one caveat. Local military was not allowed heavy weapons, armored vehicles or advanced ships. Those were reserved for the EOM standing army.

The Issue had not sat right with both the Governor and Militia leaders. How were they to defend their world if they had no weapons to do so? Secretly they stockpiled the weapons that had been reported destroyed. Hidden around the planet in former defense bunkers were armored vehicles and war surplus heavy weapons. Code named Trojan horse, only a small handful of Militia officers and the Governor new the secret. Systems were set up to activate the weapons and to call up the auxiliary. Over 80% of those aged 18-50 were a part of the planets militia auxiliary. Most considered it an honor to serve.

Members were allowed to take their weapons home. When alerted they were to meet at designated locations and receive orders. When Governor Stoner activated his system the ‘gloves came off’. This planet would now show its true strength and woe be to its enemies.

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Legation Station was on lock down. Red alert lights were flashing and sirens echoed throughout the halls. As soon as the newsies had gone live with vid of the massacre, government forces had sprung into action. Everything was sealed and a curfew was in effect. Only navy business could be conducted and only with written orders. The Sector Government afraid of reprisals or sabotage had posted guards at every hatch and doorway. The black uniforms of the ESS special guardsmen were everywhere.

Captain Gorshin had given orders to lock down the ship. Our shipboard marines were now stationed at the main hatchway and at all vital sections of the ship. We were still in space dock on board the station. If something happened to it, it would happen to us too. I had returned to my cabin after meeting with the Captain about Davids death. Dar had been waiting for me. Her ‘spies’ in the marine force alerted her to my troubles. I took one look at her and burst into tears. She held me in her arms, gently rocking me.

Dar kissed my forehead and whispered in my ear. “I am here for you, always.”

I looked up at her and kissed her on the lips. My emotions were out of control. I have seen death, I have even killed in my own defense. But seeing my brother die live and in vivid color has me all stupified. Dar kissed me back, wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace.

“Just hold me please. I need for you to hold me.” With tears in my eyes I let myself go and melted into her embrace. We sat this way for over an hour sharing our love until my comm system alerted me that I was needed on the bridge. I kissed Dar goodbye thanking her for just being there for me.

I made record time getting to the bridge. The marine guards nodded to me as I entered the command deck. Captain Gorshin and Commander Wang were watching the main screen. The screen showed a battle going on over the planets capital.

“Lee, good you’re here. What do you know about the planets militia forces?” Both officers had turned to watch me.

I glanced at the screen and watched planetary fighters engage troopships. “I uh, know that there are two squadrons. One stationed here and the other on Helvetica near the Greek colonies. My sisters squadron is stationed just outside of the Capitol. My father commands the Militia ground units and the training academy. Why?”

Pointing to the screen behind him he said “that battle? It is Militia fighters going after the troopships that killed all of those people. It is the reason that the station is in lock down.” As I watched, the fighters killed several of the troopships. For some reason the ESS ships were not fighting back.

“Athena, we have been getting reports that ground units are rounding up Empire officials. It is starting to look like Hong Kong is in a state of rebellion”

I barely acknowledged him. Watching the screen before me I had figured out which fighter belonged to my sister Min. She was bobbing and weaving her fighter attacking the troopships.

One of the ESS ships was firing back now. It must have been damaged because it seemed out of control. That ship had turned from the battle leading the others away toward the mountain range.

I looked back at the Captain. “Do you know what the Sector Governor will do?”

“No, that is what worries us. Currently there are three ships in port counting us and the station has three full squadrons of fighters. We have no idea what resources those ESS troops have.” The Captain looked pensive.

“Athena, did your AI get the newscast out of the system?” Commander Wang had turned to look at me.

“I have no idea. I can ask him.” I thought hard about it. Did Wilson mention anything. “Wilson. Wilson are you listening to this?”

“Yes, Athena, I heard. Tell the Captain that I did get the broadcasts out. I sent it to Navy HQ, the Senate offices, and about half of the sectors around us before the satellites shut down.” I relayed that to my commanders.

“With the satellites shut down all of our orders will come through the Governor’s office now. It makes me nervous that they could order us to do anything.” The Captain closed his eyes, as if he was thinking. “Athena, have your techs tear into the communication systems. Total tear down, I want it out of order for as long as possible. Any official orders will have to come in writing from the Governors office. If we have to do something against regs I want written proof. Tell Commander Hadley that I ordered it. Go and take care of that now please, dismissed.”

“Yes sir. Thank you sir.” I took one last look at the battle on the screen. The ESS troopships were retreating toward the manufacturing center with Min’s flight behind them.

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Engineering was a different place when I arrived. The atmsophere had changed. Our new commander was barking orders and my, I mean, our people were jumping. Gone was the fix it because we can attitude. Then he spotted me.

“Lieutenant Lee! Nice of you to finally join us!”

“Sir, I was on leave and the Captain wished to see me.”

“From now on Lee, you will report to me first, per regulations, before doing Anything! Do I make myself CLEAR! Why the captain ever chose YOU, a lowly lieutenant, to run this ship boggles my mind. Now, what did the captain want from you!”

“Sir, my conversation with Captain Gorshin is private sir. However he does wish for a complete tear down of the communication systems. He said that since we are in dry dock we should go ahead and have it cleaned and upgraded too.” Just what we need in engineering a tyrant.

“He did, did he? I will have to check those orders myself. I can’t trust a lowly engineering Third to tell me the whole truth now can I?” He seemed to enjoy talking down to me.

“I am aware that you have extra duties with the scientific division, but I am changing those orders as per regulations. You will complete every assignment that I give you before reporting ashore. Is that understood Lieutenant?”

“Yes sir. I understand.”

“Good. Now I see in the logs that you took it upon yourself to illegally modify MY ship. That will stop right now! You and these jumped up ‘midshipmen’ will start returning this ship to factory and navy specs today.”

“But sir, the captain ordered us to alter the ship.”

“Per regulations the Captain,” he paused and scowling, “cannot change the structure of a naval vessel without orders from HQ. I see no such orders. I looked over your supposed bulkhead improvements? Poppycock! Fix it right now. Dismissed.” He tuned away and entered the office slamming the door.

I bowed my head. All that work. Frakk it! “Wilson? Do me a favor and send that conversation to the Captain.” I turned and looked at MY crew. “OK lets get moving. Regardless of what he thinks I need a team to go do a complete teardown of the communications system. Clean it out and upgrade when possible. Also, take your time doing it. Ellery, why don’t you and your group take care of that. Jacobs and I will start on the bulkheads.”

We had barely begun when the orders changed. Commander Hadley had called the Captain and had his head handed to him. HQ had approved the upgrade, per regulations.

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Sector Governor Samuele Norton was not a happy man. These hicks needed to be taught a lesson. This bunch of farmers needed to be shown that he was the man in charge. That he made the rules now. Damn it! “Cole! Cole, where the hell is that man. COLE!”

A short dumpy man came running into his office. “Yes Governor? Did you call me?”

“Finally. What is the status? Did we get everything locked down?” Like a thundercloud the Governor loomed over his aide.

His hands shaking slightly, Cole brought up his tablet. “The news agencies are now under our control. A couple of the reporters were shot as they tried to escape but everyone else is under house arrest or locked up. All communications except for official Navy ones are locked out and shut down. The navy is routed through us so we can monitor them. ESS has the rest of the station secured.”

Nodding his head the governor smiled. “Who cares about the newsies, they should have followed orders. What about the Navy? How many ships do we have?”

“There are three here at the moment. Two are in dry dock locked down and the third is on patrol in the sector. The Panay is under navy control but the XO is one of our people so just say the word. We have 3 squadrons of fighters on board the station. Only one is under direct Navy control. The others are mercenaries that we managed to hire under the reenforcement clause.”

“Good, good. Those two ships in dry dock, can we use them? We may have to take out most of the planets civilian structure and start over. Kinetic strikes are easier with warships.”