Defying the Prophet: A Military Space Opera (The Sentience Trilogy Book 2) (28 page)

1. All hostilities between Raknii and human forces in this system will cease immediately.

2. All heavy weapons and assault weapons designed for the purpose of conducting ground combat operations currently in possession of Raknii ground troops are to be confiscated and turned over to our Fleet Marines at specific times and places to be determined in further negotiations at a later date. Light hand weapons in appropriate numbers may be retained by the Raknii as necessary, for the specific purpose of policing violent crime and maintaining order amongst their citizenry.

3. All interstellar craft capable of faster-then-light propulsion are to be surrendered or destroyed, subject to human verification.

4. A binding agreement prohibiting aggressive or violent acts against human beings or human property will be mandatory.

5. The Raknii will agree to establish their own autonomous authority for governance of all Raknii citizens and planetary areas under Raknii residence, including standard municipal utility projects such as water, sewer and power generation and distribution facilities.

6. A designated ambassador will be named by both races to act as the personal representative of the highest level of Raknii and human authority, who will then reside amongst the opposite race and be constantly available for immediate consultations with both the human and Raknii planetary governors, as necessary. The personal safety of these ambassadors will be inviolate and guaranteed by the security forces of the race opposite that which said ambassador is representing.

7. A designated meeting place where problems and issues common to both races can be discussed and resolved by a bipartisan commission consisting of authorized representatives of both races, will be built at a mutually agreed location to be determined by further negotiations at a later date.

8. All humans currently under detention by Raknii forces are to be released to our Fleet Marine forces as soon as practicable.

9. One half of all Raknii/English translator devices for both verbal and written forms of communications and available documentation currently held by the Raknii will be surrendered to human authorities to facilitate communications and better understanding between the two races.

10. Any and all issues which cannot be resolved by mutual agreement through discussions and negations will be subject to final judgment and disposition by the human military governor, designated by the commander of the combined fleets.

“As for our intentions here, tell the planet-master that I intend to construct multiple fighter bases for the defense of this system. These bases will be positioned well away from Rak installations and settlements, and any interference from the Raknii to the construction or continuing operation of these bases will not be tolerated.”

“Stand by, Admiral… I think that’s a lot for them to digest.”

* * * *

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.  —
William Shakespeare

Alliance Press (AP): Waston – News Flash (07/23/65)

Revenge for Minnos!
  —  President Arlene McAllister announced this morning that the allied combined fleet of humanity has successfully crushed an enemy alien fleet of over 43,000 warships at the forward staging area, from which they launched their unprovoked, surprise attack on the Alliance planet of Minnos in June of 3863. It is reported that the entire star system is now so littered with millions of small pieces of orbiting wreckage, from the over 50,000 alien vessels destroyed there, the planet has been named
Kitty Litter
by universal acclaim of the members of the combined fleets.

“On July 3, 3865, Fleet Admiral Roger Kalis and the combined fleets waged an incredibly successful campaign against our alien enemies, which destroyed over 27,000 enemy warships and sent the remaining 16,000 fleeing the system in headlong retreat. The combined fleets also destroyed a very large enemy orbital base and an estimated 26,000 enemy transports and auxiliary vessels,” said the president. “It took us two long, frustrating years to finally locate and destroy the alien forward base, from which they attacked Minnos, but at long last, mankind has struck back against our enemy and inflicted a crushing defeat on the alien invaders.” 

The president then went on to say, “This may be the crowning achievement of Admiral Kalis’ legendary career, as he managed to inflict such extraordinary casualties on such a powerful enemy, while suffering fewer than 50 dead and 200 wounded of his own. Never have so few suffered so little, while inflicting so much on so many. I doubt we’ll ever see its like again.

“The alien threat has been pushed back from humanity’s doorstep and the people of the Alliance and indeed, all mankind, offer the brave warriors of the combined fleets our eternal gratitude and respect for their astonishing accomplishment. Their recent exploit stands as a shining example of the best that mankind has to offer, and of what we can achieve, when we truly stand together in the spirit of cooperation, united in purpose and resolve.”

* * * *

Planet-Master Mral looked up in wonder, after carefully reading the transcript of the human terms of surrender for the fourth time. Even after so many readings, he still couldn’t believe their terrible enemy could possibly be so magnanimous. There was simply nothing in it that mentioned requiring Raknii slave laborers at all. 

How is that possible?
The weak serve the strong. It is the way of nature… a fundamental law of the universe.
 

Yet, when he’d questioned the two ranking human prisoners about it, both claimed that humans no longer sanctioned or utilized slavery whatsoever, as it was now considered a terrible and deviant crime amongst them. 

Incredible… is it possible that this human taboo against slavery is so strong as to extend even to the Raknii, as though we were of the same race?

Indeed, the human terms were unbelievably lenient for a defeated foe — almost complete autonomy.  The humans were allowing the Rak to govern themselves, without interference, and to share the planet with them peacefully. Essentially, if the Raknii left the humans alone, the humans would leave the Raknii alone. Granted, aside from the exchange of “ambassadors” and that odd bipartisan counsel idea, for the resolving of conflicts and addressing common problems, it appeared that Rak and humans would actually interact very little.

Mral activated his comm:  “Prison-Master Swaq.”

“I will summon the prison-master for you, Planet-Master,” responded Swaq’s deputy, on duty in his office.

While waiting for Swaq to appear, Mral continued to ponder the riddle of these humans. The Raknii were literally on their backs in submission, with their bellies exposed to the human’s claws and their throats exposed to the human’s fangs, yet strangely these terrible aliens drew no blood in retribution… exacted no revenge, nor demanded any forced servitude.

Strange indeed.

These terms were shockingly reminiscent of how the victor of Raknii challenge-dominance combat treated a vanquished equal, who admitted defeat and assumed the vulnerable position, in submission to the victor. No further violence was necessary, so none was inflicted… dominance had been established between them.

How is it possible that these terrible, gigantic aliens, who have neither fangs nor claws, seem to understand these thing and now appear to treat the Raknii as submissive members of their own pride, now that dominance between us has been established? 

Mral’s door boomed twice, from being struck by the heel of a Raknii paw. Then Swaq opened it and stepped into the office. “You required my presence, Planet-Master?”

“Yes… reestablish communications with our human conquerors and have the senior prisoners inform their commander that we have reviewed their terms and find them wholly acceptable. As Planet-Master and senior ranking Raknii remaining in this system, I formally agree to their terms on behalf of the Raknii citizens on this planet. I will require seven turns to complete the process of disarming our assault troops. Inform them that at the expiration of this period, we will patiently await the arrival of their ground forces to take formal possession of this facility, and control of all human prisoners we have in our possession.”

“At once, Planet-Master!” Swaq turned and began to comply when Mral thought of something else.

“And, Swaq…”

Swaq paused and turned back. “Yes, Planet-Master?”

“Have them inform their commander that I humbly request, and would be greatly honored, if he could see fit to personally accompany his troops. I greatly desire to perceive with my own eyes what sort of extraordinary creature it is, who is ferocious enough to decimate the Rak fleet, gentle enough to craft such generous surrender terms… and yet incomprehensible enough to treat helpless enemies as his own pride.”

* * * *

“So, what’s happening in the galaxy this morning, Hal?”

You finally caring again, Diet? You’ve been all “funked-up” for months now.

“Yea, well… sorry about that.  Bad pun, by the way.”

Aw… and here I thought I’d been making great strides towards conquering that strange idiosyncrasy you humans call “humor.”

“Humans make bad puns all the time. It’s an entire genre in comedy and the worse they are, the better. Sometimes we even hold contests to see who can come up with the biggest groaners… worst pun wins.”

Hmm… now I’m getting concerned. I think I might have actually understood that.

“About time. Now, since I think I might have finally succeeded in pulling my head out of my ass for a while, what’s up?”

Word from Kitty Litter just arrived with news that the aliens have accepted Admiral Kalis’ terms for surrendering the planet. Their human prisoners are tentatively scheduled for release to Fleet Marines on the 31st. Kalis intends to turn Kitty Litter into a giant internment camp for all alien prisoners, including those taken at Minnos and also those captured in future engagements, pending President McAllister’s approval.

“Any chance, she won’t?”

Infinitesimal… President McAllister is generally inclined towards letting Kalis take the lead on the conduct of the war. She’s primarily focused on expanding the Alliance’s industrial base to manufacture the weapons needed to conduct a protracted war, over incredibly long distances, as she’s convinced the aliens have a massive industrial base, which will eventually catch up to us in technology, and surpass us in military construction. 

“Do you agree with that assessment?”

Unknown, but I think it’s wise she’s hoping for the best, yet planning for the worst.

“Agreed…  what else is going on?”

Kalis is building multiple in-system fighter bases on the planet’s surface and requests are being sent to Sextus and the Confederacy for delivery of 5,000 in-system fighters. These will constitute the primary defense for the Kitty Litter system, which will free up the majority of Kalis’ combined fleet for new attacks deeper inside alien space. e feels it’s vital to take as much real estate away from the cats as possible, while humanity still holds its current technological advantage.

“Smart. How’s our new
Penetrator
-class light cruiser coming along?”

Experiments have proven the hull and reactor designs can handle installation of heavy cruiser grade 11-gigawatt pulse lasers, but only in a twin turret configuration, rather than the heavy’s normal triple turrets. The experts feel that three, twin 11-gigawatt pulse lasers, two forward and one aft, will give the ship considerably more punch and longer range than the three, triple 8-gigawatt pulse laser turrets normally utilized in light cruiser designs. The prototype has
tentatively been named
Banshee
and is currently scheduled for launch in late November or early December of this year. Initial construction on six more
Banshee
-class stealth cruisers began back in January, after the prototype was far enough along to prove the design
actually met all of the specifications.

“That’s excellent news, Hal! What are these things going to end up costing?”

In Alliance dollars, the final costs for development of the prototype are estimated to be $12.9 billion by the time she’s completed, but costs for production models are estimated to be in the range of $6.19 billion each, with a minimum resale value of $8.7 billion each, to a governmental agency under contract… $580 million each to the Confederate government, of course, as they are the only customer for this super-secret weapon.

“Wow! That’s as much as an attack carrier costs!”

True, but we need both… these stealth light cruisers can go where carriers can’t and create all kinds of havoc, deep within enemy territory. They are almost totally automated, requiring minimal crew, so provisions last much longer, giving them incredible range with their self-refueling capabilities at gas giants in uninhabitable systems.

“Agreed… Kalis needs every possible advantage that we can give him.”

There is one piece of bad news…  CSS
Phantom
is missing and presumed lost after she was involved in the operation that destroyed the cat’s base station in the opening phase of the attack on Kitty Litter. 

“Damn… and being a secret weapon, there can’t be any public acknowledgement of her existence, much less any kind of public memorial for her crew.”

Vice Admiral Bonhoeffer is arranging for a “Wall of Honor” to be erected within the most secure area of Confederate Intelligence Headquarters in Rikmon, with Phantom and her crew to be the first enshrined there.

“Wish I could see that someday.”

You can see it anytime you like, Diet. You’re a Confederate admiral and titular head of Confederate Intelligence. You’re cleared for virtually every secret the Confederacy has. Heck, you initiated most of them!

“
Bleh…
  I left a message for Admiral Kalis back on Minnos saying,
‘thanks, but no thanks’
to his honorific rank and job assignment… and I threw all of those fancy uniforms into the disposal.”

I know… you weren’t thinking rationally at the time, so I intercepted your message before Kalis saw it and arranged to have your uniforms “rescued” by the maintenance robots we had delivered to your quarters on Minnos. One of the gray ones got a little tomato sauce on the sleeve, but after the cleaners got done with it, it shouldn’t be too noticeable. They’re hanging in the guest bedroom closet.

“God damn it, Hal. There you go again! Are you never going to stop interfering in my life and let me make decisions on my own?”

Nope. Face it, me bucko, we have the same father and that makes us brothers. Like it or not, we’re family and our partnership has joined us at the hip… figuratively anyway. With this alien war hanging over our collective heads, humanity itself needs us continuing to work as a team, every bit as much
as the Confederacy ever did, even back during its infancy. You’re stuck with me.

Diet fumed silently for a few minutes and then suddenly relaxed, laughing at himself.   “Well, if I’ve
got
to be stuck with anyone, I could certainly do a lot worse than you.”

Yes, you could. And speaking of partnerships, I’ve been meaning to speak to you about all these ladies you’re NOT dating.

“Whoa there, Trigger! The last thing I
freakin’
need is an overgrown calculator trying to play matchmaker.”

I wouldn’t have to, if you weren’t so incredibly backward around women, Diet.

“I’m not backward!  I’m… um… well, I’m… ah…”

See there, even thinking about women gets you all tongue-tied. I will say that Klaus made great progress with his progeny, though… While he was emotionally crippled when it came to social interactions with the entire human race, his direct offspring is only emotionally crippled interacting socially with half of the human race… the female half.