Talosian Chronicles 5: Raptor Squadron (3 page)

"Let me be very clear on this one fact, Councilors. In this war, if we do not stand together as brothers, we will all fall separately as strangers."

As Ian stepped back from the podium, the Councilors stood and applauded. To some, that was banging something on the table, to others it was clapping hands, while some growled and howled their approval of his speech. In whatever case, it was clear they agreed with him. Now would come the time to see if they put his words into practice.

Fleet Admiral H'joles replaced Ian at the podium and let the applause die down of its own accord. Ian may be new to the Alliance, but H'joles was proud of the young human. He had a quick mind and a good sense of duty. He turned to address the assembled Councilors.

"Councilors, we of the military ask that you consider Admiral Williams' words carefully before you vote on this. We have devised a strategy that should take the Empire's focus off of our worlds and buy us some time to do something about their transportation device. Because of security, I cannot tell you what that is right now, but it
will
work.

"For many years, before we formed this Alliance, we were enemies. Our diverse cultures and belief systems put us in direct conflict with each other. Some of you may even feel that those are still valid reasons to oppose one another. They are not. In the centuries we have been allies, we have found the benefits of peaceful exploration and the advances we can make if we simply talk to each other and work together. Right now, outside this very station, is a perfect example of what that cooperation can do for all of us; a device of Terran design and construction is being installed that will defend this entire system. A device they are offering to every system and planet in the Alliance. I ask you, how would such a thing be possible if we clung to the old ways and old beliefs?

"The Terrans, the newest, and by far the smallest member of the Alliance, is putting all of its not inconsiderable resources into supporting this Alliance. Even before they joined this Alliance they worked for it. They helped any who asked, and even some who did not but needed that aid anyway. They assisted the Talosians, the Benesians, and they assisted our own battle fleets at Beta Hydri. I feel we should learn from their example. Although it goes against some of our natures, mine included, we can learn a great deal from the Terrans. Things we can only learn through friendship and peaceful cooperation. 

"But these are only the best examples of what can be gained by all of us, from this sort of cooperation.

“The Terrans have less than a thousand scientists and researchers at their disposal, yet look at all they have accomplished. Think about what could be possible, if those thousand were joined by the millions the rest of us have.

"You may be asking yourself what all this talk about peaceful cooperation is about since we have been allied for centuries. I agree we have, and we have done and accomplished amazing things. But what we are speaking of now goes beyond that; it goes beyond treaties and agreements between politicians and military leaders. What we are speaking of is a virtual dissolution of our mental borders of nationalism; in effect, we need to become one nation, united for a common purpose. That purpose is to defend our people; all of our people from those that would do us harm. To join together for the advancement and betterment of all of us." He grinned sardonically. "Yes, in effect we would form our own Empire, but unlike our current enemy, ours could be more diverse and well balanced if we create it with care.

"I am not proposing we need to do this immediately, but it is a goal we can work towards even in these dark times. Admiral Williams informed me, as I'm sure many of you may already know, that the leadership of the Terrans are beginning to build an Academy on one of their planets. To begin with, the idea was to create a place to train our military in the operation of the new ships being built and for the sharing of tactics and strategies.

"However, the idea has since grown far beyond that. The Military Academy is still going to be built, but a civilian one is also going to be built, and any member of the Alliance, and also non-member races, will be allowed to attend free of charge. For my part, which is the Military Academy, I have been asked to consider sending instructors and training officers once the facility is closer to completion.

"With your approval I fully intend to do just that. I would also ask that this Council consider sending the Terrans assistance for getting all of their facilities built. I would hope that the Terran leadership will forgive me for speaking out of turn, but all of us should ask them what they need and how we can assist. Every single project under construction there will be a benefit to the entire Alliance, and we all have a vested interest in seeing them get built quickly and efficiently.

"Admiral Williams told me that the Terrans will be sharing their technology with us. It would be good to have builders trained in how to construct those facilities. In this way, we could create teams of builders to travel around to the appropriate places and build what needs to be built or to convert what needs to be converted.

"I have said what I need to say. I am confident you have been given the information you need to make your decisions. Our Alliance Military stands ready to defend us," H'joles said and bowed as he stepped back.

Again the assembly stood and applauded. H'joles parting comments were not lost on those that had known him. His normal parting was 'Your Alliance Military stands ready to defend you.' By changing the wording to 'our' in place of 'your' it was a statement to the Alliance that he believed in the words he spoke. In his culture, his words were his truth. It was one of the reasons he had risen to the position he now held. He was incapable of political 'double-talk', and what he said was what he believed.

H'joles had officially listed Ian as an Alliance Fleet Admiral, and placed him in charge of 'special projects'. He was also assigned the responsibility of defending the Terran sector. Admittedly, Ian already did that, but now it was official. Ian could also now wear the rank of Fleet Admiral on his uniform. Although Ian did not technically have a fleet under his command yet, the construction yards and the ships they would produce there would become his official responsibility for the Alliance.

TDF
Tiamat

Hyperspace Transit vector

Almaas Quadrant

Commodore Belirus, Commanding.

"Well, that certainly turned out much better than we feared it would." Luke said. The Tiamat had recently made the jump into hyperspace to return to Earth. Ian and the VIP's had been invited to the 'Captain's Mess' so they could talk about the trip and what had happened.

"Whatever happened certainly got the rest of the Captains and senior officers riled up. At first they all believed the fleets would be split up and sent to protect alliance worlds, but then the rumors started that command had something up their sleeve and had managed to talk the Council out of splitting up the fleets. They also began panicking because they said we were going to get rid of the Alliance and form an Empire of our own. I tried to keep everyone calm, but the rumors were pervasive. I watched the same broadcast as everyone else. I sure didn't hear anything that said we were doing that. It was suggested as an eventual possibility, but that was all I heard," Belirus said.

Ian nodded. "We did talk the Alliance out of splitting up the fleets. We have a much more effective strategy in mind. One of the reasons we were so late in departing is that I was still working with the Intelligence and Command staff to work out that strategy. We do have a major part to play in it, and I'll tell you all about it later. The other reason we were delayed was because Luke and the rest of the Council got to be pretty popular after the main meeting."

"Oh?" Belirus asked. "I kind of thought H'joles might have thrown you to the wolves when he said that."

Luke swallowed the bite of steak he was eating and nodded. "He did, but it was in a good way. I'd planned on asking for their help anyway. The way it turned out, we have more help than we know what to do with!" He chuckled as he took a drink. "Very soon, there are going to be a lot of Alliance personnel arriving at Atlas to be assigned to different projects in the system. I dare say that most of our projects will be completed within the year because of it."

"Even the Pleiades stations?" Belirus asked.

"Especially those. The priorities are the stations, then the academies. Of course, those won't be the only projects getting more workers; we have enough coming, and can easily ask for more, to fully staff every project on the books. Some of those coming will be staying as both students and instructors at the academies. Others will be going to Phoenix Base to learn how to build the Defense Networks, and they will be heading out as soon as teams are formed.

"The computer department on Phoenix will be tripling in size because, while the Alliance agreed to give our Sentient AI a try, they agreed that manufacturing of those units be controlled and isolated. Which means only Phoenix will be building them. So, all the relevant researchers, scientists, and technicians will be coming to Phoenix.

"The Pleiades stations will be fully staffed and defended. We will still retain command of them, but they will be brought up to full strength." Luke snorted. "We'll even be getting a civilian police force!"

"It sounds like we're getting invaded!" Belirus said.

"We are, in a manner of speaking." Ian took a drink of his beer. "I've been given the rank of Fleet Admiral in the Alliance. While we are far too small to rate a full membership within the Alliance, we are basically gaining all the benefits of it. Luke was asked to assemble and send a full diplomatic team as soon as he can, and not just a single representative."

Luke nodded and picked up the conversation. "All the people coming to us will be, in effect, our citizens. They will retain all the rights and privileges enjoyed by everyone else. The Alliance is entering into a kind of political and social flux. The speeches Ian and H'joles gave really seemed to impress the leaders and Ambassadors attending. They really are going to try to make us all just one nation instead of a group of nations. No one can tell how this'll eventually pan out, but I see it becoming sort of like the United States on Earth. The Alliance will become, in effect, the federal government, while the separate nations will become the states."

"Let's just hope they can avoid the corruption that seems to be effecting the nations currently," Chloe Brighton replied. "For their part, the Alliance Intelligence Branch seems to be already set up that way. Of course, it would almost have to be, in order to handle the massive and diverse reports they receive and analyze. The Pit, as they call it, is always busy. It's the main situation room for the Intel Branch. It's built like a huge NASA control center and in some cases, functions the same way. ““However, it can split apart to handle multiple situations at one time. Which is how it had been working until the Empire changed tactics." She chuckled. "They already have a request in for one of our AI. They've long dreamed of an AI that can make the needed leaps of logic that shadow ops requires."

"I didn't know they made the request. What race did they ask it be designed for?" Ian asked.

"Surprisingly enough, they asked for human. Admiral Djolet told me it really didn't matter what appearance it had, that its function is what is important. She is one scary, smart Ferran. Even the Croanians don't argue with her," Chloe finished.

"Will Raptor Command be transferred to the Intel Branch then?" Ty Anders asked.

Ian shook his head. "No, H'joles was very clear on that. Over-all command of all Raptor teams will remain with us. Even the ones assigned to fleets. Once a soldier is assigned to a Raptor, they become ours. Granted, the teams will be assigned out to fleets most of the time, but we retain final authority over them. We can develop special units for the Intel Branch that have the sole purpose of gathering intelligence, giving them special equipment and the like; but I don't see them as being combat units, more like spy ships."

"So, what's going to happen when we return to Sol Sector?" Belirus asked.

"We prepare for a mission. We still have a date with Hyperion," Ian said simply.

Belirus cocked his head to one side. "Won't that prompt the Empire to send their fleets there to stop you?"

Ian grinned evilly. "Let's hope so."

American Airspace

Spaceport America

Upham, New Mexico

Earth, Sol Sector

"Spaceport America, this is Terran flight three-four-niner. Request landing clearance, over."

"Terran flight three-four-niner, you are ordered to alter course and land at Holloman Air Force Base for inspection. Your landing clearances have been revoked," the controller replied.

"Yeah, that's not going to happen. Why have you revoked our clearance?" the pilot asked.

"Your clearance has been revoked by the Transportation Safety Administration and the Office of Homeland Security," another, more official and pompous voice was heard.

"On what grounds? We were given clearance by the FAA by order of the President of the United States," the pilot replied.

"We have it on good authority that you have been providing transportation to individuals in foreign countries that are on the terror watch list. Therefore, your clearance is now suspended, pending a full investigation by the Office of Homeland Security. You are hereby ordered to land at Holloman Air Force Base or you will be forced there," the pompous official replied.

"First off, I am presently empty. There is no one on this flight but the flight crew. Secondly,
this
ship is not used in other countries. Thirdly, no one on the terror watch list would be gaining passage to any of
our
facilities on any of our craft. Finally, you can't
force
us to do anything. We have complied with every one of your dumb-assed, inane rules. I have a load of passengers waiting for transportation up to the moon. Do you really want to turn this into an incident?" the pilot replied.