Talosian Chronicles 5: Raptor Squadron (39 page)

"A miracle Admiral. It just can't be done with the resources we have. We're actually ahead of schedule and we're still looking at nine months to a year," the project head replied.

"What do you need to get them finished sooner?" Ian asked.

"At least a hundred more people and a dozen more special drones. The help of an AI wouldn't hurt either," the man replied.

"I'll get them for you. Do you need the AI full time or would part time be enough?" Ian asked.

That took the project lead by surprise. "Uh, I think part time would be all we'd need. Mostly for the drone programming and for a limited time when they start on a new station. Has something changed Sir?"

"Yes it has, but I can't tell you what yet. Look, do you care if the people are human or not? I think I can find some skilled folks from the group the Alliance sent, but you'd have to train anyone else," Ian replied.

"Skilled is always better, Sir. But mix them up a bit, maybe if we can get more folks trained watching a skilled craftsman we'll be better off in the long run."

"Okay, I'll get your drones ordered and start working on the personnel anything else?" Ian asked. "Oh, yeah, the AI. I'll speak to Andreya on Earth, but you might end up with a new unassigned AI for a time. Andreya's going to be pretty busy, very soon."

"Anything will help, Sir," the man replied. "I'll keep you posted on our progress and anything else we might need."

"Great, call me directly if you need to. I'll make sure you can," Ian replied before ending the call and moving on to the next task.

"Sir, I've gotten you an appointment with the UN security council on Monday," Alex replied. "They weren't happy about it, but they agreed to hear you."

"They're going to be even less happy after listening to me. I'm going to be pissing off a lot of countries over this," Ian replied. "What about the meeting with the researchers at Phoenix?"

"That was a little more difficult. They will all be available at the same time on Wednesday of next week. I did try to make it earlier, but…"

Ian interrupted her. "Don't worry about it, Alex. I know how busy everyone is. Next week will be fine. Please ask Chairman Belden's aide to have him give me a call tonight so we can discuss my addressing the UN on Monday. However, I think I better get my ass back to my vacation before I have more pissed off ladies on my hands."

"I think you might be right, Sir; I heard Commander Jenny talking to Major Cindy about deactivating your communit," Alex replied.

"Yeah and if I make you late for your date with Sam later, I'll have him to answer too as well!" Ian teased, making her blush. "One last thing; how is Janet doing, have you heard anything?"

Alex nodded. "Chief Laskar told me that she was doing better. The therapists got her to stop crying finally and got her to sleep. She was in much better spirits when she woke to have breakfast with her family."

"That's good, I was really worried about her. Her gift can be dangerous to her, now more than ever," Ian replied. "Unfortunately, we're going to need her now more than ever before."

The rest of Ian and family's vacation went pretty smoothly. Ian suspected that there was a conspiracy afoot to ensure it did, but he could never prove it. What was good, at least to Ian's perspective, was that Janet was able to join in the fun a little by the end of the week. Janet and Bill, along with Talena and Janet's two therapists began ski lessons on Friday. Trevor himself gave them semi-private lessons and everyone had a lot of fun. Trevor and Prudence hosted a dinner at the resort restaurant on Sunday evening. Which included all the guards. Cindy installed temporary shields and used drones for patrol duties so all the guards could attend.

Surprising Ian, Cindy called for an extra shuttle for the security guards Trevor had hired. They were actually a small mercenary unit that took jobs like this when between missions overseas. Scott had spoken to his people, who had in turn spoken to their families. The decision to join up had been unanimous, even with the children. When Ian found out, he took Scott aside.

"Scott, you and your company have done a great job for us. But before you make this decision, you need to know that something’s about to happen. It's not widely known yet…" Ian began but the man stopped him.

"Admiral, I can tell you've never worked security before. We know there is something major going on. We also know it isn't going to matter all that much where we are when it does. We all feel that our families would actually be safer off-world since you guys have better defenses, but we also know that is not a guarantee. "We made the decision to join you after we found out about the attack and mostly because of it. You're going to need as many fighters as you can get.

"None of us will act against the United States as we feel we are still under oath from our time in the military. We know that the government is trying to get their hands on your equipment and basically interfere with you folks as much as they can. Because of that, the government has declared you all terrorists, traitors, and criminals. From getting to know you these last few days, we disagree with that policy. In this case at least, the government is not acting for the good of the country. Hell, most of us feel that they usually don't anyway, but that's a discussion for another time.

"The bottom line is you need soldiers you can count on; you need as many as you can get. We're joining you because of that. I appreciate that you pulled me aside to warn me; it just proves to us that this is the right decision to make, Sir," Scott finished.

Ian smiled at him and held out his hand. "Welcome to the Terran Defense Force, Scott."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

There had been a lot of defenses planned to defend the Sol System. They had been given a slightly higher than 'routine' priority as there were other projects that needed to be completed sooner; such as the Pleiades stations, the Academy, and a few other projects. Until now, Ian had been fine with leaving the priorities the way they were, since the Alliance actually did need the products that were, at least for now, only available in Sol Sector. Many of the technologies would be given to the other races so they could build their own facilities, that would take much of the work load off the Terrans. It would also benefit the Alliance from a strategic stand point. With so many advanced facilities all located in one sector, it made for a high priority target for the Empire if it ever became known.

Late Sunday night, Ian called and spoke to Admiral H'joles about what had been foreseen.

"It would be difficult to explain the need for increased security there at the moment. However, as you have said, we have a little time, so perhaps I can slowly increase the defensive forces you now have and possibly begin delaying the departure of new ships," he said thinking out loud. "Yes, perhaps we can do it that way. Little would be said about the inevitable delays that everyone knows crop up after a refit or with new constructions. Of course, that has never applied to your facilities, but I doubt that will occur to many beings. We will also simply explain that out of concern for the security of your responsibility, you have reassigned a portion of your facilities to improving your own security to better serve the Alliance. Yes, this can be done safely and quietly." The large being paused. "Did your Seer happen to know how the Empire will find you?"

Ian shook his head. "No, the power of the main vision was simply to great and overwhelmed her. Also, to date, her ability has been more of a broader focus; she mostly sees events that will impact a large number of beings. We do have precogs that are more 'focused', but they are also much shorter sighted and usually have to be involved in the event somehow."

H'joles snorted. "Abilities such as that are good to have access to, but certainly leave a lot of unanswered questions. We will do as much as we can to assist you, Admiral. But we must be careful to not let knowledge of your race's abilities to become known even among the delegates here. Fear of the Ancient Masters is still very much in their minds."

Ian nodded. "Matriarch T'gan M'orel of Benesia has approached us to request that we adopt certain members of their society. As she explained it, these will be the less orthodox believers and followers of their faith. This group believes they have the duty to take a more active role in the defense of the Alliance. Some of these women will be joining our military, and yet others will be assisting in military research. They will become Terran citizens."

H'joles looked thoughtful a moment. "We had heard a rumor of something like this. It wasn't given a very high level of trustworthiness, as everyone knows that Benesians are non-violent. That being said, it is also known that not all Benesians share that philosophy and have been separated from the rest of their society. Most believe these are the Benesian criminal element.

"Regardless, the strength of Benesian abilities is known to have less of an area of effect. The move will make some in the Alliance nervous, but I do not believe they will over-react in the same way they would if it were known humans also had these abilities. The adoption of Benesians by the Terran race should be accepted. However, I think it will make some suspicious. You will come under greater scrutiny; we may even be ordered to keep a closer watch on you."

Ian waved that off. "I know we have Alliance spies here; that doesn't bother any of us. We don't have anything to hide from you. It's the Imperial spies we are worried about. As you know, we've identified three confirmed spies and suspect twelve more. We've found a few of yours as well, but we leave them alone; the Council feels that having them here will help with over-all relations with the Alliance. Which reminds me, are you ever going to send an Ambassador and Liaison Officer?"

H'joles grinned. "The Ruling Council has been unable to decide on who to send you. As for the Liaison Officer, I'm afraid that is my fault. I was set to send one before you told me about your abilities. Since that revelation, I am searching for just the right person to send. I would send you my youngest sibling, but she has not yet risen to a high enough rank for the duties required of the position and is more combat oriented."

"If she is anything like you Admiral, I would welcome her. Sending an administration officer would be fine, but having another person with a combat mentality around would be a huge help," Ian replied.

H'joles nodded. "I agree. Let me speak to our Clan leadership and see what can be done. Alliance command has already approved her, even though she is young and of lower rank. If there is agreement, I will send her to you as quickly as possible. You will be able to trust her as you would me. She will not betray you or your race's secrets."

"That sounds perfect, Admiral. I look forward to meeting her," Ian replied.

H'joles snorted. "Only until she arrives Admiral! She is a rather outspoken youngling which is the main reason she is still of lower rank. You might need to take a stronger hand with her until she learns her place in your organization."

Ian looked somewhat surprised. "Not like the Croanian ritual that Colonel Cromwell had to go through?"

"No, it would not be a fight to the death, but you might have to knock her unconscious the first time. If it were any other human besides you, I would be concerned for their health should they attempt such a thing. When she arrives, knock her on her
bunta
before she gets the opportunity to insult you, and that will be it," H'joles explained. "It is the way our command structure is established when a new officer joins a crew."

"She is Grellian Navy and not Alliance then?" Ian asked.

H'joles nodded. "Combat Marine actually. Thus the need to define her command structure for her. It is an idiotic and outdated ritual, but still widely practiced by my people. Thankfully the Alliance has grown past such ritual or I would spend all my time beating my staff."

"If you say so, Admiral," Ian replied, unsure how he would fair in a fight against a being like H'joles.

"I do," H'joles nodded. "As for your address to the leaders to Earth tomorrow, I would like to assist if I may. I will speak to them on your behalf."

"Sir? I didn't think you dealt with civilian leadership outside of the Alliance Council?" Ian asked.

"Officially, I do not. In my capacity as head of the Alliance Forces, I do not interact with civilian governments outside of the Council as a matter of form. It is also to get away from the implication of coercion should such a question later arise. However, Earth is not a direct member of the Alliance, and I would not speak to them as head of the Alliance Military. I would simply address them as H'joles and offer testimony as to the threat they will be facing. I consider you to be one of my very few friends, because of that, I feel a need to assist. It may be that testimony from a different source will help to sway their minds on this matter. You did much the same thing for me during the last meeting we had here; I would return that kindness."

"I would welcome the assistance, Admiral. I feel I should warn you, however, that these people may not be as polite as the Councilors there are. These men and women believe in their own power and superiority. To most of them, we are nothing more than a nuisance that refuses to give them the technology to kill themselves with," Ian replied.

H'joles nodded and smiled sadly at Ian. "Not so unlike my own people were long ago. I understand the situation, Ian. I still will try to help."

"Okay, but the meeting will be held during your late evening; nine standard hours from now," Ian replied.

H'joles nodded. "I will be ready."

Ian arrived at the UN with Cindy and her team. The rest of his family had returned to the ship in the same shuttle the new recruits would be taking to Atlas. The shuttle would be stopping to pick up the soldier’s families and loved ones along the way. Janet had returned to her old self enough to help deal with the fears and concerns of the new people and to call ahead to make sure the group would be well cared for when they eventually arrived at their destination.