Redwood: Servant of the State (10 page)

We gave her a cigar, and she sat down with us to puff a while.

“What were y’all talking about?”

“Mozon over here was griping about lack of higher technology on the outer planets.”

“It doesn’t have to be unreliable to be high tech. Don’t know why they can’t send more to the outer string.”

Dee Dee nodded. “This again.”

She said to me in a stage whisper, “They’ve had this discussion before.”

She took a big puff and let out a thoughtful cloud of smoke. “I’ve been thinking about this one, guys. I think it’s a matter of State control.”

We all looked at her.

“State control?” I asked.

She nodded. “Think about it. When the British Empire stretched across most of Old Earth, did they give their outer colonies the latest and greatest? No. They gave them the old, obsolete, and reliable. Particularly in weapons. They gave the colonists old muskets and flintlocks and other hand-me-down stuff. The newest and best weapons went to the Redcoats. Then if there was a rebellion, the natives had inferior equipment. It’s the same with our beloved State. The latest and greatest is produced and distributed on the inner string planets, safely in the State’s hands. We get the old and obsolete stuff.”

We mulled this over. I thought she had a point. Jacob stuck by his reliability argument. Jeremy disagreed. The five of us talked about it into the wee hours of the night.

-+-

A few days later I broached the subject with the Professor when we had a moment together. Physician Patel left the room after they both completed a thorough examination of my digestive processes.

Professor Cruz looked thoughtful. “State control, you say?”

“Actually, it was your daughter’s idea. I was just curious what you thought about it.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it was the State exerting a form of control. Or, punishment, even. The farther away a colony is from the locus of power, the more difficult it becomes for the mother country to keep it. The Janus String offers a unique dilemma to the State. Obviously, a local government has to be set up to establish local control, but the home powers are ever more removed with each new planet.

“Making the population of a new planet dependent on materials from the older planets for survival offers an excellent means of controlling the population. The problems for the State arise when they run out of new planets to colonize and the ones on the outer string become ever more self sufficient.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Like now?”

He nodded. “Like now. The State had momentum, opening Janus Twenty-eight from New Texas to Redwood, then Twenty-nine to Orange. But, our primates put a big wrench in their plans. They brought the bureaucracies of the inner string to halt our exploration of the stars. Fear led to indecision. Indecision led to paralysis. There are no plans to open Janus Thirty any time soon. There is no desire to explore beyond Orange, no desire to capitalize on Redwood and Orange, or colonize them. There’s bitter infighting among functionaries and bureaucrats, with the side afraid of what else might be out there when we go through the next Janus winning out against all others. The State is rotting in stasis.”

He paused to put away some equipment in the lab.

“In the meantime, collectivists struggle for relevance on the outer planets while individualists have no other places to go with the Janus String closed.”

“Collectivists?”

“The State is the collective. Everyone is part of the State and the State tells everyone what to do. Unfortunately for everyone, there are only a few individuals making all the decisions. Those comprising most of the collective have little or no say in their lives.

“Fortunately for us, the State made a critical mistake. Researchers, Scientists, Professors, and other academic types tend to congregate in the Universities. The State granted Universities, notably on the outer planets, their own charters. A University is self-governing. It has its own police force, its own bureaucracies, its own sets of rules and laws.

“What the State didn’t consider, is that individualists would gravitate away from the State and into anything offering a little more freedom. In time, the Universities on New Texas, Athena, and Alexandria became hotbeds of freedom, filled with like-minded people who generally wish to be left alone by the State and do their own thing. ‘Liberty Centers’ thrived. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed the black markets on those planets.”

I nodded. Indeed, I thought. The black market on New Texas is outstanding.

“You’ll have noticed all the black markets on those planets are on University land.”

I hadn’t thought about it, but now that he said it I knew he was right.

“The State has no authority there, and the University turns a blind eye to things the State may otherwise sanction. So the arts, literature, and music flourish in the Universities. You’ll notice books, paintings, music … all those things are available in the black market that aren’t for sale elsewhere because they’re prohibited by the State. Intellectual discoveries, research, pure science … all these also take place in the Universities, out from under the glare of State bureaucrats.

“As for the other problem of giving individualists somewhere to go, in the past when new planets were opened on a regular basis, individualists always had new places to spend their time and talents. Each generation rushed forward to the next planet in the string. Research it, classify the fauna, write new stories about it. Enjoy life a little before the State closed in and the planet became ‘civilized.’

“But now, there is stasis. There are no new planets to explore, and the latest ones are closed off, except to prisoners and outcasts. Now, individualists fester on the last ‘civilized’ planets, which happen to be the ones farthest from the State’s locus of power.”

He paused for a moment, then locked eyes with mine. A smile slowly spread across his face.

“Now, we have time for a revolution.”

He was right. Revolution came a few days later.

Chapter Ten

I hoed a garden row one mid-morning, stopped at the end of it and started on the next one. Somebody ran by the garden, heading full tilt toward the central building.

I kept hoeing. Then somebody else ran by. Then two more. When I saw Anusha running my direction, I stepped out and stopped her.

“What’s going on?”

“They’ve taken over New Texas!”

And she ran off. Not knowing what she was talking about, I dropped the hoe and took off after her.

Everybody gathered at the central building, the same place I’d first met the Professor and where all meetings of importance occurred. We milled around, everybody talking at once. I discovered this building also housed the base’s communication equipment.

I found Jason and Jeremy. We each traded our lack of information.

Dee Dee stepped out of a room carrying a wireless speaker, followed by Jacob with a tripod. Everybody stopped talking and watched Jacob unfold the tripod. Dee Dee set the speaker on it.

“Give us just a minute, we’ll pipe the broadcast in here.”

She and Jacob stepped back into the communications room. A few seconds later the speaker crackled to life.

“This is Antonio Montoya, President of New Texas A and M University.”

“He’s the ‘A and M’ in New Texas A and M,” Jason quipped. A few nervous chuckles spread about the room.

“His middle initials cancel it out,” Jeremy said. “That’s not his full name. He has two others. ‘Iglesias Fernando,’ or ‘Fernando Iglesias,’ I forget which.”

“I was just kidding.”

I shushed them both as the speech continued.

“Today, New Texas A and M forces occupied the State Building in New Austin. We also took over the Governor’s Mansion, and the spaceport. We have seized control of New Houston, New Fort Worth, and other major cities. State forces have fled and are in hiding. By fiat and by fact, we now control the entire planet of New Texas.

“Casualties so far have been light. Where we’ve met resistance, force has been used as necessary. Many State Agents and Galactic Police have peacefully surrendered and are being detained with all due consideration for their well-being.

“We do not take the use of force lightly. We would prefer opposition to remain peaceful. Where State personnel violently resist us, however, we will not hesitate to respond in kind.

“All State personnel within the sound of my voice should be aware that armed resistance to those operating under the University charter will be dealt with swiftly, justly, and with lethal measures. Make no mistake: if you oppose us, we will strike back. Remain peaceful, and you will be treated appropriately.”

President Montoya paused briefly, as if collecting his thoughts.

“This is an exciting time in the history of New Texas. Our planet is the first of hopefully many in which a University charter will apply to all citizens, not just students and faculty and those residing within University borders.

“I urge all citizens to remain calm during this time of transition. I repeat that State personnel will be treated appropriately provided they do not resort to violence.

“Together we will work through this time of crisis, and we will forge a new planetary government under a global University charter that is separate and better than the State’s and its past abuses.

“Together, we will form a bright tomorrow for New Texas, one that benefits citizens everywhere along the Janus String. One that brings hope for freer societies and one that guarantees personal liberties for generations to come.”

There was a long pause, then the speech started again. Obviously it was on a loop.

“This is Antonio Montoya, President of New Texas A and M University …”

We all burst out talking at once, some cheering, some raising questions, some expressing fear, all voicing excitement.

The door to the communications room opened again. This time the Professor came out, followed by Dee Dee and Jason. He raised his hand and silence settled across the room.

“Meeting in ten minutes. Mandatory, all personnel.”

-+-

The days flew by and we learned more as news trickled in. Fighting continued to break out across New Texas as State forces outside the capitol battled it out with University forces. For the most part, resistance was mild, though. Either the State had a weaker presence in New Texas, or the University had been planning the operation so long and carefully that it went relatively smoothly. I suspect it was a combination of the two.

Revolution spread to Athena where New Hellenic University led the fight against State forces there. More deaths occurred as the fighting grew in intensity, especially around their spaceport. Anti-State sentiment was strong in Athena, but they were less prepared to fight. Fortunately, State forces there were relatively weak. Eventually those fighting for New Hellenic prevailed and their spaceport was secured.

The worst, bloodiest fighting occurred on Alexandria. Alexandria had four Universities, and coordinating revolution among them proved problematic. Polytech was the biggest, followed by Alexandria Institute of Technology, the University of Interstellar Knowledge, and Freewill Seminary.

Alexandria was a special planet, having those four Universities. Most other planets had one University; an occasional planet here or there might have two. For years Alexandria was the last planet in the Janus String, and there’d been a movement to compile humanity’s knowledge at the end of the line, so to speak.

The freedom offered by four Universities, though, led the State to garrison more of their personnel there, and it had a much stronger presence on Alexandria than the other outer planets. Also, the State quickly imported reinforcements by passenger ships from New Hong Kong before the Alexandria spaceport fell.

The fighting grew intense as fresh Galactic Police streamed in. Each ship brought more men, all well trained, well armed, and wearing nearly impenetrable armor. Together with existing Agents and GPs already on Alexandria, they wreaked death and destruction across the planet, killing anybody in their way and laying waste to University cities and sites.

The GPs on Alexandria were horrible. We heard stories of indiscriminant killings, rape and wanton slaughter. One city belonging to UIK, the city of Memphis, was completely leveled. All inhabitants were killed without regard for who they were or their political sympathies. The fact they were in a University city was all that mattered to the GPs. When word leaked out that several State sympathizers seeking shelter there were slaughtered by the GPs, what little support the State had on the planet began to wane. More citizens began to take up arms with the Universities after that, and “The Battle of Memphis” became known as a tipping point in the war.

Resistance finally gelled, and the four Alexandria Universities united their people under one commander. Polytech students figured out a way to make “sticky grenades” that, when tossed near a GP, would stick to their armor and explode. They were finally able to bring those heavily armed reinforcements down. We heard heroic tales about Seminary students in particular, a Bible in one hand and a sticky grenade in the other, fighting to the death against overwhelming odds. State forces were finally neutralized.

With the spaceport secure, the Alexandria Universities sent gunships to Janus 25 to prevent more State reinforcements from arriving. Three more ships from New Hong Kong came through the Janus, each loaded with fresh GPs. Each ship ignored challenges and set a course for Alexandria. Each ship was destroyed before reaching the spaceport.

After the third ship, the State stopped sending them through, and a stalemate ensued. Alexandria sent a drone through Janus 25 to take a look around on the New Hong Kong side. Before being shot apart, it recorded a host of gunships waiting on the other side. An uneasy and unofficial truce began, with no movement between Janus 25 and the rest of the string. We presumed the Revolution stalled, as contact with the rest of the planets was cut off.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me go back and fill in what we did in the early days of the University Revolution on Redwood.

-+-

“The fighting continues on New Texas, and the action has spread to Athena and Alexandria.”

The Professor had our undivided attention. I reflected privatively that this was one of the few meetings I’d been invited to. In fact, after this one I was in on all the rest. With a crisis at hand, I was no longer an outsider.

Everybody listened closely. He listed some facts, counting them off on his fingers.

“There are no Galactic Police here on Redwood, of that we’re pretty sure. There may be one or two tucked away somewhere, but there’s no official presence. Half a dozen Agents in Redwood City keep an eye on the populace there. But there’s not much for them to do, really.

“There are a few GPs on Orange. They run the spaceport and the controlled access area. They’re basically prison guards. There are a couple of Agents there too, of course, keeping tabs on everybody.

“All in all, State forces are extraordinarily weak both here and on Orange. There are few people on either planet, and little need for a strong official presence.

“Currently there are two spaceships docked at Redwood City, and one on Orange. They’re not going anywhere during the current crisis.

“Redwood and Orange are backwaters, as far as the State is concerned. There are no resources they can use to try a backdoor attack on New Texas through Janus Twenty-eight, using Agents or anyone else. The University knows this, and the State knows this.”

He paused again, and locked eyes with Ranger Jenkins. Jenkins nodded. The Professor continued.

“Nonetheless … we have received a coded message directly from President Montoya. We have been tasked with securing Redwood City, along with the spaceport and the two spaceships docked there.”

The crowd gasped. Incredulous murmurs spread around the room.

The Professor held up his palms.

“I know. I know. We’re researchers, not soldiers. But everybody who is a part of the University has a role to play in this conflict. This is our role. I don’t like it anymore than you do, but we can’t ignore this assignment while our colleagues, many of whom are also researchers, are shedding blood for the cause back on New Texas and elsewhere. We have to do this.”

The murmurs stopped. He had them, although many still did not look happy about it. Some no longer looked him in the eye, staring down at their feet instead. Others, those with family in particular, looked at their children and spouses.

“Look, this an obligation. We’re Aggies. Think about what our University has done for us the last twenty years. Does the State know we’re here?”

A few people shook their heads. A couple of them mumbled, “No.”

“No, the State doesn’t know we’re here. Do you realize how difficult, how hard it is to keep a secret like that from the largest intelligence apparatus in the Janus String?

“New Texas A and M has stuck by us for two decades out here. The University has protected us, kept our secrets, made sure we survived and were able to continue our research all this time. And all this time, other than requesting regular reports on our progress, they have asked nothing more of us in return. Nothing. Until now.”

He looked around the room, pausing to lock eyes on every person.

“We have to do this.”

It was a great speech. Even those most inclined to disagree could think of nothing to say. Ranger Station Alpha was going to war.

-+-

Several preparatory meetings had to take place first. At one of them, the Jenkins addressed the logistics of attacking Redwood City. Ranger Jenkins stood before a hologram of the city, a giant blue cube shrunk down to table size so he could point out various features.

“The spaceport is really just a landing pad on the side facing inward toward the forest. Ships land there, load bots enter and exit from this large doorway here. That is actually the only ground level entrance to the city. While cargo goes through there, people have to enter through Customs, which is on the fifth level here. They’re given PHUs and fly up there for processing, and go through body scanners. Kind of inconvenient, but it’s not like they get a lot of visitors, anyway.

“Now, here’s the critical thing. The city was actually designed and built in Asiana. It was shipped here in pieces and assembled on site. The thinking at the time was, it should be able to withstand attack from hostile natives. Thus the location, in the middle of a desert that is an especially hostile environment to arboreal creatures. Also, that ground level doorway is the most heavily fortified. You see how big it is. It allows the transfer of ship cargo, back and forth, and it’s heavy. When it’s closed and locked, nothing short of a nuke is going to open it from the outside.

“But Customs Entry, five levels up, is less fortified. Sure, monkeys can climb, but they presumed Redwood monkeys can’t climb smooth surfaces. So, the people entrance they placed higher up on the wall will be easier to break through. Same with the quadcopter bay. It’s a big door, but it’s not nearly as fortified as the ground level one. Of the two, we think a small team can batter their way through the Customs Entry easiest. Once inside, we can hopefully open the cargo bay door and work toward neutralizing the city.