Mike's War: Sequel to Jesse's Starship (25 page)

“No, I’m not. I believe the humans that are still on their home world would probably do it without hesitating…but those on Sparta would never do it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it would violate their sense of honor.” Hetzel pointed at the display, “They chose to die before they violated their promise to us. That promise was sealed with the blood of the ones that died on Fippen. The humans on their home world aren’t armed so they represent no danger to us. I also am of the firm belief that Sparta would stop any aggressive actions by their home world. This current invasion by the Gracken has convinced me that we have to have a force that can defend our civilization against all outside threats.”

A member said, “Are you saying there are others that will threaten us?”

“The universe is infinite. The Gracken is just the first we’ve encountered that are older than our planets. When you consider that there are billions of galaxies millions of years older than our own, what is the statistical probability of older aggressive civilizations out there?”

The same member said, “I don’t like that the human communicated with the Gracken. They could make an agreement and attack us together.”

Hetzel shook his head and blew out a breath, “They could also come to an agreement to defend us together as well. Do you always look for the worse to happen? If your planet is invaded, would you want the humans around to come to your defense?”

The Assembly was in a quandary. Hetzel smiled and said, “I think we should invite Sparta to send a representative to join us. I think you’d get a better understanding of who they are by doing that.”

The Assembly pondered that thought and a Senior Member stood and said, “I think that is an excellent idea. I second that proposal.”

The vote was taken and an hour later, Hetzel contacted Mike and requested he send Sparta’s representative to the Council. Mike was shocked by the request, “I thought you were going to have a representative from Earth chosen?”

“We probably will in another hundred years. They’re not ready yet.”

“I don’t know about this, Hetzel.”

“Send one of your Military Commanders. The Council needs to see what they’re dealing with. Right now they’re frightened of you.”

Mike sighed, “I’ll take a look and see what we can come up with.”

“Don’t delay too long, Mike. It’s important to make this happen.”

“I’ll do what I can as quickly as I can.”

“Thanks, Mike.”

The display went dark and Mike looked at Tilly, “This was unexpected.”

“Who will you send?”

“It has to be someone who has patience and a good working knowledge of all things military.”

Tilly started laughing. Mike looked at her and said, “What?”

“You’ll need to tell Adams to let him know.”

Mike’s brow furrowed and then he saw it. He burst out laughing and said, “It will serve that trouble maker right. He deserves it.”

• • •

An hour later, Mike looked at Bowen and told him his new assignment.

“I refuse to accept it, Sir.”

Mike leaned back in his chair and said, “Since when are orders not followed?”

“You’re ordering me to do this?”

“I am.”

“Why, for God’s sake?”

“Are you in a romantic relationship at the moment?”

“Uhhhh…no, not really.”

“Do you know all there is to know about our current military assets?”

“I guess so.”

“You are also the only officer I know who thinks before he speaks. You really think things through before you drop your bombs on Adams. You won’t make a mistake. I need you to accept this assignment and embrace it Bowen. I promise to send someone else after a year.”

“Sir, I really don’t want to do this.”

“You’ll be allowed to keep your Q ship and will join us if we need you in combat operations. When the Council is not meeting, you can come back here in an instant. It won’t be as bad as you think.”

Bowen blew out a breath and shook his head. He looked at Tilly, “What do you think about this, Tills?”

“You were my first choice, Bowen. Mike’s right, you’re perfect for this assignment.”

“Do I have to wear civilian clothing?”

“Absolutely not; I need you in uniform.”

Bowen looked at Mike and smiled, “When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow. By the way, you can take a guest to attend the meetings. I suspect you might find that is attractive to others, if you know what I mean.”

Bowen looked at Tilly and she nodded. “Then I’m your Huckleberry, Tom.”

Mike laughed out loud and contacted Hetzel.

• • •

Bowen was sitting outside the Assembly when his communicator vibrated. He pressed a button and saw Adams on the small display. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, “Calling to gloat?”

Adams smiled and nodded, “Yeah, but seeing your expression has taken all of the joy out of it. You need to relax and just be yourself. You’re the most likable person I’ve ever known and I treasure our friendship. You’ll do fine and I’m proud of you for this selection.”

Bowen stared at Adams and smiled, “Thanks, Adams. I needed that.”

“Go and be who I know you are.”

The call ended and the Council Members began moving into the huge room. An aide met Bowen at the door, “I’ll take you to your chair, Excellency.”

Bowen nodded and went to a chair on the back row. He found the chair really comfortable and the panel he had in front of him was amazing. The aide said, “I’ll help you use the panel after the meeting is over if you like.”

“I’d like that very much, thank you.” The aide smiled and walked away. This human was polite. That was a breath of fresh air in a room full of pompous politicians.

• • •

Hetzel called the room to order and when the room was silent he looked at Bowen and said to the room, “I would like to welcome our newest member to the Council. Colonel Bowen from Sparta, will you stand?” Bowen stood up and nodded to the room. The councilors applauded and he sat back down. A gong rang and Hetzel’s brow furrowed. He said, “You may speak.”

A Councilor stood and said, “I’m hoping that our newest member will take a moment to answer some of our questions.”

Hetzel didn’t like the direction this was moving but he didn’t know a reason to stop it. He looked at Bowen and said, “Will you come to the podium?”

Bowen blew out a breath and walked to the front of the room and took Hetzel’s place. The member that made the request said, “I wonder what you think about the direction that our civilization is moving in. Would you recommend any changes?”

The room was as silent as a tomb. Bowen looked at the dark green colored being and smiled, “I’ve been looking at the history of your civilization and some of your planets were civilized when my species were living in caves. You have been working together for thousands of years and have peace among you. For me to even think that I would have anything of value to offer you would be the highest form of conceit. I’m here to learn from you and I hope that my planet will be better for the contact.”

The members were shocked by Bowen’s statement and after a moment they began cheering him. Hetzel smiled and knew Mike had sent a winner. He walked forward and said, “Let’s not keep our newest member from his discoveries. Thank you, Colonel.”

Bowen nodded and went back to his chair. Hetzel saw the nervousness of the Council was diminished. This was a good start.

• • •

Mike and Tilly walked into the Communications Center on Sparta and Eric and Janet stood and welcomed them home, “It’s good to have you back.”

Mike hugged Janet and shook Eric’s hand, “Will you get Colonel Long on my board as quickly as possible.”

Janet shook her head and went back to her panel. A minute later Colonel Long appeared on the wall display, “Welcome back, Commandant.”

“Thanks, Colonel. Where are we with the Hogs?”

“The first two Air Groups are organized, armed, and ready for combat, Sir.”

“How many?”

“Four hundred and twenty total, Sir.”

“You’ve seen the recording of the Beamships the Gracken use; how will they stand up to them?”

Long tilted his head and shrugged, “If there are numerous Beamships, it will be iffy. The Hogs will have to attack those on the edge of their formation. One-on-one I think the A 10s will hold their own. Their cockpits are protected by a Q ship grade force field so they can get close enough to open fire. If two or more of those Gracken ships fire on one Hog, it will probably be destroyed. Why do you ask, Sir?”

“I want them ready for drop operations at Fippen in ten days.”

Long stared at Mike for a moment and then said, “Yes Sir.”

Mike closed the connection and pressed a button on his panel. Alexander Dunlov appeared, “Good Morning, Commandant. It’s good to have you back.”

“Alex, how many Regiments are ready for drop operations?”

Alex’s smile disappeared and his eyes narrowed, “There are sixty four regiments that have been organized into eight brigades. The brigades have been organized into four divisions. Are you considering going back to Fippen, Sir?”

“I am.”

“Should we take what we’ve learned and adopt it to our strategies before we rush back in?”

“Alex, how long do you think it’s going to take for the Gracken to produce a force field that will stop our projectiles?” Alex stared at Mike and, after a few moments, shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “We can’t wait. We have to take every advantage we currently have and move quickly.”

“I’ll issue a mobilization order and get everything moving. I’m going to need a list of targets for our forces so I can designate where to send them.”

“I’ll have it for you within four days.” Alex tilted his head at the short time frame and ended the call. Mike looked at Eric, “Do you have the dispositions of the Gracken forces on the planet?”

“I do, Sir. Most of their units are assigned to the medium to large cities. The large cities have battalion sized units and the smaller cities have a company.”

“I want our units divided to handle them.”

“That’s a big order, Sir.”

“I’ve given it to a big man. I know you can do it.”

Eric looked at Janet and she nodded. He looked back at Mike and said, “You’ll have to handle all communications coming in to the Center. I’ll have this done in time.”

Mike smiled and said, “Tilly and I will handle everything. Just get me those drop assignments.”

• • •

The new Planetary Commander watched the giant heavy lifters moving up from the mine six miles away as a loud tone roared through the air. The buildings around him emptied of the inhabitants as they rushed out into the streets. He checked his timer and saw they had done it three minutes faster this time. He suspected killing twenty of them with blasters for being late in the last drill added a sense of urgency to their efforts. He turned as he heard the roar of another heavy lifter blasting off from the mine and he pressed his communicator, “How much longer before you’re done?”

“Another eight days, Commander.”

“I know you’re tired of hearing me say this, but keep your jump drive active and at the first reading of those White Ships, get out of here. Leave your heavy lifters and run.”

“We’ve been given that order by the Elders. I really don’t like leaving my Lifter Crews behind but I will comply.”

Make sure your crews left here know to run to the cities and join my forces. That will be their best chance of survival.”

“You sound like you’re frightened.”

“Tell that to the hundred and fifty thousand warriors that were killed here.” The PC ended the connection and ran his hand across his neck. The loud wailing tone stopped and a different tone began. The inhabitants moved back into their living quarters and wondered what was happening.

The Support Officer walked up, “One of our Unit Commanders in a city on the other side of the planet only gave the inhabitants ten minutes to exit. He beamed about a third of them that didn’t make it.”

The PC’s expression turned nasty, “You will go to that city and personally execute him, immediately. Put someone in his place that understands that it’s those inhabitants that will probably save his life.” The Support Officer boarded a high speed airship and left at its fastest speed. The PC shook his head; it was hard to believe his Commanders were so stupid.

• • •

Brandon Hail looked at the five wall displays in his headquarters building and saw the faces of the ninety seven members of his former platoon. “I know you’re busy. But each of you will receive a small package this afternoon. It’s been sent with extreme urgency and you should contact me if it doesn’t arrive.”

Aman said, “What’s in it, Sir?”

Brandon lifted a patch off his desktop and held it up next to his face. The ninety seven Colonels brought the view in close and saw a crimson colored circle with a large white number 21 emblazoned in the center. Two tiny stars were located on the edge of the patch at the top center. Brandon pointed at the two small stars and said, “These two stars are Derek’s and Halley’s. If you choose to wear this patch, you will be promising to do everything in our power to make the ones that killed them regret the day they were born. If you die in the effort, you will also have a star on the patch.”

The faces on the displays showed their sorrow at the loss of their brother and sister but it was tinged with a resolve that was unmistakable. No one spoke; no one had to. The faces disappeared from the displays and Brandon began sewing his patch on his combat uniform. He was ready. The Patch, as it became known among the combat forces of Sparta, became a badge of honor. Those that wore it were not to be trifled with. Their focus on their goal to kill Gracken would not be forgotten.

• • •

Mike looked at the armada gathered above Sparta and was amazed at the size of the huge fleet. Every Q ship in the Alliance was present and all of them had been rearmed with the 120 mm cannons. The giant transports taking the troops and their support aircraft were awe-inspiring. The last of the troops boarded their assigned vessel and Mike said, “We will be jumping to Fippen momentarily. You will drop once all our transports are in position. The Q ships and Raptors will take positions around the planet and keep a scan out for any Gracken Warships that show up. Once I’ve determined we have a handle on the Gracken Fleet Units, I’ll send the drop order.” Mike leaned back in his chair and looked at Tilly, “What’s wrong?”