Solbidyum Wars Saga 5: Desolation (36 page)

“Cantolla, are you and A’Lappe ready to start sending major starship-sized gate components through the smaller gates so they can be assembled to create the larger ones?” I asked.

“We have the components completed for both the sending and receiving gate,” Cantolla said.  “We will need the crews on the ships to be used for those gates to come to the
NEW ORLEANS
and receive training.  It will take several days to train them how to fine-tune the adjustments of the nodes within the ships once they are in place.  We could have everything operational within five to seven days if we start today.”

I turned to Kophious, “I expect you to have the crews of the three ships selected for the nodes for your side of the gates to report to the
NEW ORLEANS
for training within 12 hours.  Marranalis, see to selecting crews for three ships for the nodes on this end of the gate and have them report to A’Lappe and Cantolla as well.  Oh, and one thing more, make contact with Admiral Wabussie at the FSO.  I want an intelligence officer from his office onboard every one of our star ships, and I want them to be a part of every major meeting, so they can relate the latest intelligence information to us, and also so they can keep the home office aware of what we are doing.

“Captain Slater, you’re our best expert on Ming and how he operates; how soon do you think he will have his fleet attacking at Ugar?”

Slater had been sitting back in his chair when I addressed him, and he suddenly sat up straight, “To be honest I don’t know that he will attack Ugar, but I am relatively sure he will attack somewhere in that vicinity, and it will be with very heavy forces.  It's possible he has already begun the attack, but it could happen anytime within the next three weeks or so.  After that the chances of an attack decrease rapidly, as he will want to make sure your fleet is as far away as possible.  Right now, he will assume it will be at least three weeks before the Federation can get a defensive force there.  If you actually can get the starship-sized Cantolla gates in place and working before he attacks, you will certainly catch him off guard.”

“How do you think he will coordinate his attack?” I asked.

“If he follows the same method he used back on Earth, he will have a major assault on the planet from space using starships and possibly the Tottalax ship if they are still in the game.  Once they have knocked out the primary planetary defenses, then they will have their troopers land around the planet in transports and patrol ships and take over the power distribution systems and occupy all government buildings.  Any opposition they meet will quickly be dealt with using excessive firepower to show off their superiority.  They will rapidly round up as many women and children as they can and take them as hostages and then broadcast to the men on the planet that their wives and children will be used as slaves and prostitutes, tortured or killed, if the men do not surrender.  Ming likes to demoralize his enemy as much as possible, and he will use the most atrocious and inhumane ways to do so if he can.  His only restrictions are the limits of his evil imagination.”

I felt ill hearing Slater’s words, but having met Ming, I knew that his assessment of the bastard was accurate.  I looked around the room and noted that while members of my crew who had met Ming looked sickened knowing what this evil monster was capable of, some individuals were not grasping the full extent of what Slater had said so I added, “Some of you never have had the misfortune of meeting Ming in person like Captain Slater and members of my crew on the
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have.  So that you can fully comprehend exactly how perverse this man is, back on Earth’s moon, he bred women so he could take their newborn infants at birth and eat them.”  I had to force the words from my lips as I felt a gag reflex at the thoughts of what this man had done.  “I do not doubt for an instant that he is capable of coming up with even worse or more inhumane acts.”

“Admiral Stonbersa, your orders for the moment, are to continue your patrols in your sector.  Once we have Cantolla gates established in Sector 3, so we can get ships there quickly, from here in Sector 1, we will make an effort to get starship-sized gates operational in your sector as well.  It would be nice if we could have those workable before Ming and his fleet attack in Sector 3, but I don’t think that will happen.”  And with that I adjourned the meeting.

I was expecting some reluctance on Kala’s part to serving as the negotiator on behalf of the Federation in trying to set up a shipyard and repair facility with Kendrop and Gochian; however, I was pleasantly surprised when she seemed eager to take on the task.  One look at Lunnie and Reidecor having a tug of war over a stuffed animal on the floor soon gave me an understanding of her eagerness.

“But what about the kids?” I asked, “Who’s going to look after them?”  Before Kala could answer, the now ever present Jenira stepped forward and began signing that she would, and not to worry, that the kids were safe with her.  I had to admit I was impressed with Jenira’s ability to deal with the twins without speaking, how they seemed to understand and listen to her even though she said no words.   Perhaps it was the way Jenira’s facial expressions and body language conveyed a great deal of information without her saying a word; nevertheless,  I was stunned at how well Lunnie and Reidecor responded to her.

“Do you think you will be able to handle both of them by yourself?”  I asked.

“Yes, it’s easy, but if I need help, Lt. Franton is available,” she signed back.

“Oh, I’ll bet he loves that duty,” I said with a sarcastic tone.  I could see Jenira nod with a silent giggle.

I spent the next few minutes going over the plans for Kendrop and Gochian with Kala.  We needed them to take on the repair of the
HAPRIN
and the establishment of a shipyard in the sector that both planets would contribute labor and materials to, as well as personnel.  In return both would profit from the jobs it created.  Final approval of course would have to come from the Senate, but with the War Powers Act in place and the state of current affairs, it was highly unlikely there would be any delays in getting it all approved.  We were just wrapping up the last details when Marranalis called me on my com to remind me I had a meeting to attend with Andy aboard the
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.

One thing I hadn’t taken into consideration when I scheduled my meeting with Andy was the bodyguards who accompanied me everywhere.  There was an animosity between the Federation and the androids going back several hundred years, to a time when the androids had rebelled against their role and lack of rights in the Federation and tried to exterminate the humans that had held them in servitude.  In the end, most of the androids had been destroyed, and those that hadn’t been had fled to worlds outside the Federation.  Andy had told me that he and the other androids no longer held any feelings of animosity toward the Federation and only wished to live in peace, but the people of the Federation didn’t believe them and were not willing to allow the androids back into Federation territories.

I was unsure how my bodyguards would react to Andy, so I switched off my Federation team of guards for my own security forces on the
NEW ORLEANS,
who had a better understanding of Andy and the role he and the androids had played in the recovery of stolen solbidyum two years earlier.  Even so, it was necessary for me to have guards stationed outside my study door and two stationed inside.  Since Padaran was now head of the security team and Andy knew him personally, I selected him, and much to her delight, I chose Jenira as another.  Marranalis had told me that Jenira had qualified in every category to serve on my security team, and that in addition to setting up and leading her own team of Women with Swords, as they were called by my ship’s crew, she also served on the security team.  Andy, of course, knew Jenira, and Jenira looked up to Andy because he had saved her life on Goo’Waddle.  With that issue resolved, I entered my study to find Andy already there and staring into the fish tank wall at the far end of the room, behind my desk.

“Greetings, my friend,” I said as I entered and saw him standing there.

“Greetings to you also, my friend,” the android replied with a trace of a smile that seemed out of place on his constructed countenance.  “These aquatic creatures are most fascinating,” he continued.  “I have never understood humans and their need to have pets, but I must confess that I could find it in myself to become attached to watching these life forms.”

“Please, Andy, have a seat,” I motioned to a small table with two chairs.  I noticed Andy take note of Padaran and Jenira standing inside the door.  “Padaran, it is good to see you again also, and is this Jenira that I see?  You have changed and grown.  I see you carry the short swords of the Ruwallie Rasson.  I have heard rumors that you may be the best swordsperson ever to live.  There are Ruwallie Rasson on the Goo’Waddle who wish to test your skill, in tournament.  They seem upset about your use of their swords.”  Jenira smiled and nodded to Andy and signed.  “I need to thank you.  I owe you my life, and I will not forget that debt.”

Andy quickly signed back, “No payment is required, what I did, I did because it needed to be done and no payment is necessary.”  I was surprised that he knew Federation sign language but then again the androids forgot nothing and their minds were interlinked so knowledge passed between them.

“Yes, well, speaking of payments, it is about a debt, I owe you that I have asked you to meet with me today.”

“You speak of a planet we androids can have for our own?” he asked. “What can you tell me about this planet?” Andy asked, displaying a degree of curiosity that seemed more human than I expected.

The planet is about three-quarters the size of Goo’Waddle.  It is lifeless at the moment; except for perhaps a few microbes that were inadvertently brought there by humans who had intended to colonize and terra form the planet.  It is rich in minerals; there is no liquid water on the planet but there are reserves of ice buried under its sands.”

“I see” Andy said, mimicking human mannerisms, “and what of the human colonists?  Are they still there?”

“No, they are not. The atmosphere on the planet is too thin for humans, and they were unable to free enough ice to melt to create an atmosphere sufficient for their requirements.”

“So then it is unlikely that humans would want to colonize this world and there would be no reason for us to fear they would try to take it from us,” Andy said more as a statement than a question.

“That is correct,” I answered.

“Is this planet in or near Federation space?”  Andy questioned.

“No, in fact, it’s quite a way outside Federation territory.”

Andy was still for a few minutes, and then he spoke, “I’m assuming you are referring to the planet you call Mars in your native language.” I was a bit startled by his knowledge of Mars, but I knew that the androids had extensive access to information and things going on in the universe and that they never forgot anything.  “I am,” I responded.

Andy sat featureless for a few seconds before he replied.  I think this planet will suit our needs very well.  We are honored that you chose a planet in your own solar system as a home for us, friend Tibby.  We shall try and be good neighbors on the day you and the humans return to your Earth.”

“I have no doubt at all that you will be excellent neighbors,” I replied.

“I note that you now wear the uniform of a fleet admiral in the Federation,” Andy said changing his vocal tone to a more serious note.  “We have heard that you have taken this position with the Federation to fight the Brotherhood.  I hope that the androids are not considered part of the threat to the Federation, and that you will not be looking forward to fighting us as well.”

”That will not happen,” I said, “at least not as long as I am alive and wear this uniform.  My joining the Federation military force is for one reason and one reason only; and that is to rid the Federation of the Brotherhood and their criminal ways.”

“So, friend Tibby, how soon may we expect you to begin transporting us to Mars?”

“Give me a few days to work on that,” I began, “I would say within about six weeks, as it will take that long for my crew to get to Mars and make arrangements for your arrival; after that it will only be a matter of days.  I’ll have my crew make arrangements for a large warehouse facilities here on Goo’Waddle where your androids may store any equipment and supplies you wish to take with you.  If there are any special items you require that you do not have, let Captain Kerabac or Padaran know of them, and we will see to their acquisition.”

“You are a remarkable man, Thibodaux James Renwalt.  It is an honor to call you friend.”

After our meeting, I walked back to the shuttle with Andy and watched as he departed.  Kerabac was in the hangar to see Andy off, and I had the feeling that Andy was impressed that so many of the team who had gone to Goo’Waddle two years earlier were present to see him during his visit.  Andy had once expressed to me that with his enhanced hearing and vision, he could detect a person’s pulse rate and changes in their breathing as well as other physical actions.  He used these to determine the feelings of people around him.  I think he found it refreshing, if androids were capable of such feelings, that there existed humans that did not fear him or feel he was a lesser being, but rather accepted him as an equal.  At least, that is what I hoped he was feeling.  No sooner did his ship depart than Kerabac stepped up beside me.

“Admiral, we have a problem on the surface with some of the Ruwallie Rasson.  They are demanding to meet with Padaran at once.”

“What’s it about,” I asked, “Do you know?”

“Yes sir, the Ruwallie Rasson have heard that Jenira is carrying two of their catas swords like their warriors;, they claim it is sacrilege and dishonors true Ruwallie Rasson warriors, and mocks their beliefs.  They demand that she surrenders her swords at once and faces punishment, or she must face their best swordsman in battle to prove her worthiness to carry the swords.”

“What would happen to her if she surrendered the catas and accepted punishment?”  I inquired.

“Her swords would be broken, and she would have one of her hands cut off.”  Kerabac said with a hard look on his face.

I turned to Padaran and Jenira, who were standing nearby.  “Have either of you anything to add to this?”

“Tib…ah, Admiral, sir, Padaran stammered.  “I was aware of their restrictions about the catas, but I figured that with all the things that had transpired and, well with my being made their leader and all that, well, that it was no longer a held-to tradition.”  I placed my hand on my head and stared at the ceiling a minute. “And what happens if Jenira beats her opponent?”  I asked.

“In that case sir, his swords would become her property, under the old tradition, he would become her slave, but in as much as you have outlawed slavery on the planet, I suppose his punishment would be decided by Jenira.”