Warfare: Rise Of Mankind Book 2 (4 page)

              “Besides, you’re being a fatalist,” Marquel added. “We’ve never once received a hint that the alliance would treat us in such a way. They’ve been nothing but generous. Why would they suddenly, out of the blue, decide to betray us like that?”

              Elizabeth cleared her throat, finally contributing to the conversation, “ultimately, we have to weigh the pros and cons here. On the positive side, we gain the tech we need and help with the Tam’Dral. Those folks are in pretty serious need and let’s be honest, we’re not in a position to do it. Also, admittance into the alliance will work to our advantage.”

              “And the cons?” Daniel asked.

              “We have to trust them.” Elizabeth shrugged. “And I can honestly see why Jameson has a hard time with that. We’ve seen good will, yes but this is something else. Why not send them alone with the technology? Give it to their ships and we’ll wait here for them to come back with whatever they discover.”

              “Our technicians might be instrumental in helping to unlock it’s full potential,” Gray said.

              “Come now!” Jameson scowled. “They built pulse drives for God’s sake. I’m sure they will be more than capable of uncovering whatever can be found about this Protocol Seven.”

              “I don’t know,” Daniel said. “I’m with Gray for a different reason. I want in on that technology. I want to know we have the advantage
immediately
. If they don’t choose to come back with what they learn…”

              “Then we’ll simply research it on our own,” Jameson replied.

              “That hasn’t worked so well for our current situation,” Elizabeth added. “We are stuck on our second vessel. Our ships have scoured our own system. If I might offer another pro to this discussion, trade would be a very good thing.”

              “Do you have an opinion one way or another?” Jameson asked. “You’re waffling.”

              “You sound prejudiced to me, Jameson,” Marquel added. “Is that what I’m hearing?”

              “How dare you!”

              Daniel waved his hand. “Enough of that. We’re on the same side here!”

              Gray spoke up, “you all make excellent points but I’m going to add one more. Those two ships out there are highly advanced, even more so than our own. They may not be able to take as much punishment but they’ve got technology far beyond anything we’ve seen. Two of their ships saved us years ago and now, we have the chance to
partner
with them…not be subservient. They’re asking for a partnership, not indentured servitude.”

              “I agree.” Marquel nodded.

              “Taking a stance from the financial side,” Elizabeth said, “I believe we should agree to help. Send the Behemoth on this run and we will leverage the remaining ship to our advantage. Open trade can begin and as a full member of the alliance, humanity will prosper.”

              “I’m strongly against this,” Jameson said. “The risks are too great, the situation dangerous and all around, this
feels
wrong. Mark my words, if you go against me on this, we’re going to feel it.”

              “You’re a coward,” Marquel muttered. “And that type of talk is precisely why humanity remains in the shadows. That isolationist mentality from World War Two and the same prejudice to go along with it.”

              “Again, that’s enough.” Daniel sighed. “Anyone else have an opinion?”

              They remained silent.

              “Alright, and you’re sure you’re on board, Gray?”

              Gray nodded. “Absolutely, sir. We can do this.”

              “Very well,” Daniel said, “Please return to your seat.”

              Gray joined Clea again as the council stepped back up to their table. None of them sat. Daniel spoke into the microphone. “Anthar Mei’Gora, I have some questions, precautionary if you don’t mind.”

              Mei’Gora nodded. “Please ask.”

              “What assurance do we have that your ship will stay until the Behemoth returns? You’ll be our only defense and we’re worried about the lack of Earth oversight.”

              “Other than my word, I’m not sure what would assure you. I’ve said it and mean it. Your liaison can explain what it means to us when we make a vow but I’m not sure how you’d believe her if you don’t believe me. Suffice to say, we are here to protect you and begin a partnership.”

              Jameson stirred in his seat.

              “Perhaps if you showed us the treaty to join the alliance, we could take that as an act of good faith,” Daniel replied. “Even though we won’t be signing until the mission completes.”

              “As you wish.” Mei’Gora motioned and his aid approached with a data pad. He handed it to Daniel who clicked it on and read through whatever displayed on the screen. Once he finished, he gave it to Elizabeth. The entire council spent a moment with it, all agreeing except for Jameson who remained stubborn.

              “This appears to be in order, Anthar Mei’Gora. We will accept your generous offer. The Behemoth will accompany your ship to the facility. Yours may remain and assist us with our own preparations and any assistance you can provide the Tam’Dral will be appreciated.”

              Mei’Gora bowed his head. “Thank you, Chief Burke. We look forward to collaborating now and in the future. Arrangements will need to be made, provisioning for a hyperspace voyage and an extended stay at our research facility.”

              “Very good.” Daniel nodded once and turned to the others. “This meeting’s adjourned. Section heads, please prepare meetings with your people and the Kielans. These preparations are going to require coordination. Let’s not delay because our schedules are already full.” He motioned at Gray. “Captain Atwell will prepare the Behemoth for departure. Let’s get to work people. We’ve got a lot to do and I don’t want it taking longer than it has to.”

              Preparations for departure took five days. Gray met with Mei’Gora for several hours during that time and really had the opportunity to quiz him about engagements near their core worlds. The fighting out there turned out to be far more intense than he ever realized. The enemy lost plenty of ships but they always seemed to have more.

              They discussed tactics and theoretical methods to end the war. Gray asked about the enemy’s manufacturing capabilities but Mei’Gora knew little. Even when they made initial contact with that culture, they did not ascertain their technological levels. Only when their ideologies crossed violently did the enemy tip their hand.

              The Behemoth’s database was updated to include newer silhouettes of ships and their technical data. They also received a vast library of star maps, systems well beyond their solar system spanning thousands of light years away. The tech teams were beside themselves and Olly updated all of his apps to account for the new data.

              Provisioning took the longest. Supplies came aboard for two days straight and hangar crews started getting surly. Luckily, they’d have two full days of shore leave to relax before they departed. Food wasn’t the only thing they received but spare parts and additional fighters to pad their ranks.

              Gray put in a request to prepare for war and the council didn’t hesitate to agree, much to his surprise. They gave him whatever he needed to be successful, even if the promise involved a relatively short trip.

              Adam expressed his own excitement about getting out of there. He believed there’d be a conflict out there. “This is not a simple delivery mission,” he claimed. “I feel it.”

              “I hope your feeling is wrong but if it’s not, we’ll be ready.”

              A quick crew survey showed they were torn over the journey. Some expressed excitement, others reservation and a rare few flat out thought the trip was a bad idea. Gray planned to address them all before they left for shore leave, to put some minds at ease and bolster the confidence of those already on board.

              Some of the negative comments suggested they should be staying near Earth as defenders, not aggressors. They weren’t afraid of combat, but didn’t want to do it far from home. Those who felt the opposite suggested a battlefield in the other guy’s yard always beat fighting in your own. “Let them deal with collateral damage” became the catch phrase for those behind the journey.

              Ultimately, they’d all come around. They knew what they signed up for but some of them probably never thought the day would come. After the last battle, Gray didn’t know how anyone could think Earth would last in a purely defensive position. Reactionary conflict never favored the defender.

              Clea helped prepare the ship for the first day then planned to spend the last four aboard one of the Kielan ships. He offered to let her go right way but she insisted she spend some time working with the bridge crew. Olly’s tech people sure welcomed her assistance. She provided a much needed liaison with her people’s experts as they analyzed Protocol Seven.

              They quickly agreed that it was definitely the real thing.

              Mei’Gora visited the Tam’Dral and agreed to take the people into the alliance. They began plotting which world would be best for them and how they would get there. The people willingly suggested they’d give up their vessel for the fighting cause but none of them were soldiers. They didn’t want to participate in the conflict, especially since they were the very last of their species.

              Gray wondered who would claim the ship but ultimately, that would be between the council and the alliance to work out. Mei’Gora sure seemed able to make decisions on behalf of the entire alliance though so he suspected they’d figure it out long before the Behemoth returned home.

              Just before turning the crew loose on shore leave, Gray initiated a ship wide com on the bridge.

              “This is the captain speaking. I know you’re all itching to get off the ship and take some much needed rest for the last few days as we scramble to prepare for a deep space voyage. Know that I’m proud of each and every one of you for your dedication and hard work. This historic trip goes beyond anything humanity has ever done. We are pioneers, venturing forth into the unknown.

              Some of you have your doubts about the necessity of this mission or the war in general. You wonder if we should even be involved. I tell you we
are
involved up to our necks. The enemy has attacked us not once, but twice and if given half a chance, they will do it again. Through sheer repetition alone, they may eventually emerge victorious.

              I for one will not allow that to happen. For as long as I draw breath, I will fight. Not only to protect humanity from an outside threat but to side with our friends, those who would come to our aid without request or personal benefit. They have earned my respect and continue to do so with every encounter we have.

              Each of you is an expert at multiple jobs, professionals and soldiers. Together, we will make history for Earth, for humanity and for the Behemoth. Today marks a time for us to catch our breath before the next sprint and when we start it, you’ll have the chance to show the universe who you really are: representatives of our people, stalwart survivors and stubborn combatants.

              Enjoy your time off, ladies and gentlemen. You’ve earned it.”

              Gray returned home, spending time in the quiet of the country with his books and little technology. Two days of peace worked out well and when he returned to the Behemoth, he felt rested and ready to go. Some of the others spent their time a little less wisely and seemed exhausted from partying but no one showed up late to their duties.

              At seventeen-hundred hours, the Behemoth and the Crystal Font linked up their communications and prepared for departure. Ensign Agatha White put them on speaker and Gray addressed the Anthar directly.

              “Anthar Ru’Xin, we are showing the green light for departure, do you concur?”

              “Captain Atwell,” Kale replied, “we are prepared. Our pulse engines are hot and we’ve plotted a course for a place to perform an optimal hyperjump. We’re sending them now. Follow our lead and we should be there inside of seven hours.”

              “Behemoth confirms.” Gray turned to Timothy. “You got them?”

              Tim nodded. “Aye, sir. Course plotted and ready. She’s all yours, Redding.”

              “Okay, Crystal Font,” Gray said. “Let’s move out.”

              As the engines fired up, the ship pulled out of orbit, moving alongside the Alliance ship. Gray stood and watched the view screen, hands clasped behind his back. Clea also stood nearby, far more tense than he’d seen her before. She fidgeted, which was uncharacteristic. Once they cleared Earth space and headed for the coordinates, somewhere away from any of the planets in the solar system, he turned to Adam.

              “Commander Everly, you’ve got the bridge.”

              “Yes, sir.”

              “Vinthari An’Tufal, will you please come to my office?” Gray left the bridge and Clea followed close behind. Neither said a word before they were in private and Gray perched on his desk, gesturing to a chair. “Okay, what’s going on?”

              “Sir?” She sat down. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

              “I’ve known you long enough to recognize when you’ve got a problem,” he said. “You seem nervous…or something. So confide in me. What’s up?”

              “It’s nothing to be concerned with. It won’t affect my performance on the ship.”

              “I’m not sure I agree,” Gray replied. “But you can put my mind at ease. Come on, Clea. We’re friends…and friends talk.”

              Clea sighed, averting her gaze to the floor. “I spent time aboard the Crystal Font for the last several days.”

              “Was it nice to be amongst other Kielans?”

              “Yes, absolutely…no regrets there at all but…well…I learned a bit about where we’re going. And the Anthar of the Font.”

              “And those things worry you?”

              “Anthar Ru’Xin is a stunning officer. I can’t believe he advanced in the ranks so quickly. He’s my junior in age and is…
was
my senior in rank.”

              “Wait, was?”

              “When we finish this mission, I’ve been promised a promotion,” Clea replied. “A new rank in the Kielan military for liaisons. Apparently, there are enough of us now to warrant such an honor. I’ll be known as Tathin, which would be the equivalent of Anthar without the responsibilities of running a ship. It will offer me operational priority over the standard military rank for purposes of cooperation.”

              “Congratulations.”

              “I’m not sure I take it as a benefit. The responsibility frightens me in one regard. I don’t have as much experience as the typical Anthar. I’ll be relying heavily upon their advice. In any event, that’s not why I’m nervous now. Anthar Ru’Xin got this assignment because his was the only surviving ship in a major skirmish out on the borders. It was a brutal fight and I’m not sure he was ready for active duty.”

              “That’s probably why they gave him this easy assignment,” Gray pointed out.

              “
If
it proves to be easy,” Clea said. “I’m not sure it will be. However, I hope he’s up to the challenge. He seems like a good man and I found him to be delightful but…he has moments of darkness. Whatever he saw in that fight has impacted him.”

              “War changes people.” Gray moved around and sat in his own chair. “I’m sure he’ll come out the other side. Is that your only concern? The Anthar of the other vessel?”

              “I…learned something about the system we’re going to. The research facility. You see, not all of my family joined the military. Some…well, they’re scientists.”

              “I had no idea. I thought family traditions stuck to all members.”

              “In most cases, yes but those without the physical aptitude to excel in the military find other ways to serve. They still work with the armed forces but in the research capacity. In this case, my sister is one of the lead researchers we are taking Protocol Seven to. Apparently, she’s been building weapons for the last year there. I had no idea…it was not in the last letter from home.”

              “So you’re going to get to see your sister.” Gray shrugged. “I fail to see how that’s a bad thing.”

              “She’s my older sibling. I hope she’s not…too harsh on me for what I’ve done. I believe I’m serving the family well, doing something new but she always stood as my harshest critic. Much as I wish to see a relative, I don’t feel up to conflict with one.”

              “You’re an exemplary military officer,” Gray said. “You don’t have anything to worry about. Remember this, those who criticize loudest are the most insecure. If she says anything against you, it’ll be because she knows her own short comings are prominent. Do your best to let it roll off your back. You don’t have to prove anything. Your record speaks for itself.”

              “I appreciate your vote of confidence and it means a lot.” Clea shook her head. “I just want them to be happy both with me
and
for me. I suppose everyone wants the approval of their loved ones, right?”

              “Traditionally.” Gray smiled. “But you can’t please everyone all the time. If you try, you’re just asking for trouble.”

              “I’ll try to remember that as well.” Clea motioned for the door. “Shouldn’t we get back to duty? My personal concerns are keeping the captain from the bridge.”

              “Adam’s got it,” Gray replied. “Besides, I’m glad you had the chance to talk about this stuff. Bottling it up wouldn’t have helped. You feel better, right?”

              “I feel…justified. Better would be a stretch.”

              Gray laughed. “It’s a start, Clea, one I’ll accept for now. Come on, before you start to think I’m soft.”

              “You are,” Clea replied. “Otherwise, you would beat me in chess more often.”

              “Ouch, kindness makes me lose, huh? I’ll keep that in mind for the future. For now, let’s leave this solar system. That’s an adventure all unto itself.”

              “One I hope you’ll never forget,” Clea said.

              “Me too, Clea. Me too.”