Neptune's Massif (33 page)

"But the rural shelters will have a small reactor to power the shield generators and replicators. I know you said to stock them with supplies, thus eliminating the need for the replicator, but do you propose we leave out the shield generators too?" Commander Serena asked.

"Yes, Commander, we only have the drone make the shelters deeper underground. We could actually include a few items in the construction, but we seal them in plasticrete, and rig them to melt down in the event the unit is opened." Isaak replied. "Like the communicator the Admiral first gave me when I was still on Earth."

"The shield generator couldn't be sealed in the plasticrete, but we could rig it to melt down if opened..." Schoffel replied, thoughtfully.

"Okay, it sounds like we have the makings for a plan," Ian said, standing. He looked at one of his other guests. "Folks, I would like to introduce Lt. Commander Alan Carlson of the Raptor
Poseidon
. I'm dropping this on him right out of the blue, so please be gentle with him. Commander Carlson will be taking charge of the only real base we have on Earth currently and with it will be the coordination for the defense of the planet.

"I'm really sorry to do this to you, Alan, but I need you to take control of this project and get it moving. Contact who you think you might need to contact, but figure out the locations and get the kits built. If you need anything just ask. Do you think you and your team can handle this?"

Alan was floored. "Uh, yes Sir. But, uh, Sir, the base..."

"Alan, a shuttle with one heavy construction drone and five medium drones will be departing Phoenix base within the hour. Your AI will be sent the design specs for the new base they will build there. When they finish, no trace of the hell it was turned into will remain," Ian replied. "That will be your base, Commander. Yes, you are a Raptor team, but you will also be in charge of planetary security. We'll get you more resources as we can, but for now, it's just your team and a company of Marines."

"Yes Sir, what is our Chain of Command?" Alan asked, still a little confused.

Ian grinned. "Me."

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R
aptor
Poseidon

Neptune's Massif Base

Mid-Atlantic Ocean, Planet Earth

Sol System, Sol Sector

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A
fter dismissing the meeting, Ian asked Alan to remain on the comm so he could speak to him. Alan waited patiently and nervously. The truth was that he really hated the base they were in. He felt like it was haunted by the souls of those he had not been able to save. Regardless if it was haunted or not, it gave him the willies.

A couple of minutes later, Ian came back on the comm. "Alan, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for dumping all of this on you like I did. I wanted to discuss it with you beforehand, but shit came up and then the meeting happened and bang; here we are."

"That's not a problem, Sir, I'm not afraid of a little work, and this project is going to have a lot of challenges, I'm sure. But, it's this base, Sir... I don't mean to sound like a flake, but this place just gives me the creeps, Sir," Alan admitted. "It’s not just me either. Hell, even the Marines refuse to wander around alone."

"Damn, it must really be creepy down there. But, like I said, there is a shuttle leaving the moon right now. By this time next week, it'll be a completely different place. I mean that literally. About the only thing not getting destroyed and rebuilt is the bay you're sitting in right now. However, due to the fact that you've been sitting there cooling your heels for the last few days, and that all the cryo-pods are finally out of there, I am hereby ordering you and your Marines back to the Hawaiian research station. I really need you to get going on this defense stuff, but there is no reason you need to do it right there. Go to Hawaii, let the drones do their thing, and when you come back, it'll be a new base."

Alan nodded. "I hope so, Sir, 'cause this one ain't fit for man nor beast!"

Ian started chuckling. "Where did that come from?"

Alan nodded off to one side. "Gunny Sergent Holace; I think he's a bit superstitious." He paused, "Sir, I had another suggestion for the planet defenses. We could build floating missile platforms and anchor them to the bottom of the ocean until we need them. Pop 'em loose and fire as soon as they break the surface. Hell, we could do that with just about any weapon we'd want to build really."

Ian nodded his agreement with the suggestion. "Yeah, we could. I would recommend not placing them very close to the base location though, I'd like to keep that location secret from any attackers for as long as possible. Hell, if we can keep you hidden completely it wouldn't hurt my feelings any."

"I'll keep that in mind, Sir, is there anything else I should consider?" Alan asked.

Ian looked thoughtful for a moment. "Just try to plan a layout that will protect as many people as you think you can in the time we'll have. If the Caldarians attack us, they'll want slaves, so they would mostly target the larger population centers and hit the rural areas with conventional weapons and ground troops. If the Empire attacks... well, to be honest, I have no idea what they'll do, so we should try to plan for the worst."

"So, basically, just plan for the worst," Alan replied. "I'll do my best, Sir. I'll try to have an initial report to you by the end of the week."

"That would be excellent, Alan," Ian replied, but grinned. "But, if you need until Monday, I'll understand."

"Sir?" Alan asked not getting the joke.

"Alan, this is going to be a massive project. I'm well aware of the mess I'm dropping on you here. I'd think it would take at least a couple weeks to get a handle on this. If you can get a report to me by the weekend, fine, but don't worry if you can't. Trust me here, I'll understand."

Alan nodded. "Sir, about the base, from the sound of it, you’re going to make it the main planetary control center, correct?"

Ian nodded. "That's the plan, is there a problem with that?"

"No Sir, I was just clarifying it. Do you want me to include staffing as part of my planning?" Alan asked. "This is going to be a rather large base just with that."

Ian nodded his agreement. "Yeah, it is. I got a look at the design. For all intents and purposes, Andreya is going to become the planetary controller. Another AI is already being built, and yet another is being designed as air traffic control as well as communications and data coordinator. For now, neither of those new AI will be as advanced as Andreya, since neither one will have personality programming. Basically, they will be 'simple' AI purpose-built for their tasks. After installation, both new machines will remain dormant until Andreya needs them. She'll have the authority to activate them at any time. We really don't foresee the need for more than just her until either the planet decides to grow up and become an active member of the Alliance, or we get attacked. The way I see it, the attack will happen first." Ian paused. "As for staffing, you can handle it if you want, but we have a general idea of what you're going to need down there and will send you what applicants we can. You can accept or reject them as you want. They're going to be your people, so you should get the final say on them. If you would like to do any domestic recruiting, please give Janet Laskar a call. She should be able to assist you."

"Do I make provisions to secure the safety of the world’s leaders, Sir?" Alan asked.

Ian shook his head. "The ultimate decision on that is yours, Alan. However, if it were me, I might consider something to protect the UN General assembly or at least the Security Council. But I wouldn't do anything for the rest of the leaders that we are not doing for the general population. If the shit hits the fan, they're all equally deserving of protection. Besides, most of them already have their own hardened bunkers they can retreat into."

"That's true, I believe the UN also has a bunker, but I don't think it's nearly as elaborate as the one under the White House," Alan replied thoughtfully. "Would you object if I had them brought here in an emergency?"

Ian shook his head. "It's your base Alan. Planetary Security is your baby. You basically have a blank check on how you want to handle it. I only ask that you let us know what you have planned, so we can prepare or adjust our strategies to work with it. Basically, I'm putting you in complete charge of the defenses of the planet. What most would call the military governor, but without all the pomp."

"Commander, I have just received a rather large data transfer from Phoenix Base," Andreya said, sticking her head into the cockpit of the Raptor where Alan was speaking to Ian.

Alan nodded to her. "So I've been informed. Please notify the team and the Marines to prepare to leave. We're going back to Hawaii for a few days. Also, there is a shuttle en-route for this base, grant them landing permission and guide them in, once they arrive and unload, we'll get out of here."

Andreya nodded and closed the door.

"Looks like you're getting busy, Commander," Ian replied smiling. "Unless you have more questions, I'll let you get to it."

"I can't think of anything else at the moment, Sir. I'll call or just send you a message for anything else," Alan replied.

Ian nodded. "Good luck, Alan."

"You too, Sir." Alan replied as the channel closed. Alan sighed and stood. Well, at least they were getting out of this fucking haunted house.

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'G
rand Mall'

Civilian Section

Phoenix Base

Selene, Earth's Moon

Sol System, Sol Sector

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J
im Beacher smiled as he looked at his new crew. He marveled at how quickly the whole process had taken once he made his decision about what to do with himself. Being friends with the Head of the Terran Council certainly had its perks. When Jim had expressed an interest in taking command of a freighter, Luke Belden had arranged for him to be given the very first Terran-built civilian freighter.

While still in treatment to repair the damage that had been done to his body, he had begun the learning process. Commander Serena had taken him aboard the
Prometheus
for the practical training he would need to command the big ship and two weeks later she had pronounced him proficient and ready for his own command, according to the regulations governing civilian commercial transportation. Since the Terrans actually didn't have those regulations in place yet, they used the Talosian guidelines.

Jim's next hurdle had been to find a crew. He'd begun to think that might not be possible, but was assisted in his search by the Phoenix Base AI, Elias.

Elias had made public the positions available on Jim's new ship, and within a week, Jim had been able to fill most of the positions. Of the missing positions, most notably the chief engineer and the executive officer, Jim had been 'loaned' two very capable officers that he had befriended during his stay on the
Prometheus
. He did have applicants for those positions, but the candidates lacked the qualifications required to fill them. So, until the positions could be filled by civilians, Jim would have two Talosian Naval officers under his command.

Currently, his entire crew was having lunch together at one of the cafes in the Great Mall of Phoenix Base. He felt it would be a good way to meet everyone and for them to meet each other. Now would be the time to see if any personalities clashed, and better for it here than once they began making long trips together. Which, in fact, Jim had already been hired by the Terran military to deliver passengers and cargo to Benesia and New Talos. Once at New Talos, he would be picking up passengers, as well as a portable habitat module for them to live in during the trip back to Sol Sector. Where another load would be awaiting him for return to New Talos. The business was already taking off. They just had to christen the ship, make the shakedown cruise around the system, jump out to Pleiades I, then back to Earth. If there were no problems with the ship, they could load up and be off. Jim was excited.

The crew, mostly people that had immigrated from Earth and wanted to see the galaxy, but didn't want their own ships, seemed to be getting along rather well. Of course, most of them had already gotten to know one another during their training, as well as having lived together here on the base.

The two top candidates for both unfilled civilian positions would also be accompanying them for their first trips, and the two naval officers filling those positions would evaluate and train them. Once they were ready, they would give Jim their recommendations for each position, and dismiss the ones that either didn't mesh with the rest of the crew, or were simply beat out by the other candidates. The dismissed crewmen would not go away empty handed however. Jim was giving them the opportunity to finish their training, gain a bit of experience and if they worked out well, a letter recommending them to their next Captain.

"May I have your attention, please?" Jim asked as he stood.

The group quieted down and paid attention. Jim smiled and held up his soda. "Welcome to the crew, everyone!"

The group accepted the toast and the Navigator/Astrogator asked. "When do we leave, Captain?"

"Tomorrow morning. We are scheduled to depart for Bradbury Orbital at oh-seven hundred. We'll christen and commission the ship and take her out for a shakedown cruise out to Atlas and back. If everything checks out, we'll be loading up for our first trip," Jim replied. "Before you ask, I can't tell you where we're going yet. I'll explain why once we get loaded and depart. But for now, get to know each other and get ready to ship out in the morning. I look forward to working with all of you!"

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R
aptor
Poseidon

Ju'nio Ha'ena Research Facility

Hawaii, Planet Earth

Sol System, Sol Sector

––––––––

A
fter Alan finished speaking to Ian, things began happening pretty quickly. Neither the Raptor team nor the Marines really had anything to do in order to prepare to depart, other than do a final sweep of the base to make sure it was clear. By the time the Marines had finished that, the shuttle had arrived, unloaded the drones, and departed again. Andreya told Alan that the drones would not begin work until everyone had departed since some of the planned modifications to the base might be dangerous to humans.