When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (13 page)

             
It wore a simple suit of black and silver. The pattern on the fabric swirled as though made of gas. The lithe gray creature wore no breathing apparatus; either their species used oxygen or simply did
n’
t require air. Its small, dark eyes darted back and forth, and its long slender hands gripped a bulbous silver weapon tight. From a distance, once could almost confuse it for a human, the shape was so familiar. The head was slightly large, and the eyes even more so. It stood around five foot nine and was well muscled. The hand had only four fingers instead of five, but the structure was the same as anyone on
Midway
. Its features were flat, with a small triangular nose and almost nonexistent lips. Within that face Hiro could see intelligence and, strangely, fear. There was something else, something incredibly familiar: discipline. This was a soldier.

             
My God
, Hiro thought.
They could have walked off a movie set.

             
Two more of the black-and-silver-suited creatures emerged, each sporting alien rifles. They looked similar, but at the same time were easily distinguishable. One had dark gray spots running from its brow down the right side of its face. Another had squinty eyes and breathed heavily, its teeth a single ridge-line with valleys and crests. They took position as a fourth creature stepped down from the ship, its multicolored robe extending down to the ground. Standing between the three soldiers, it called out to the interior of the ship. The language sounded like wind rushing through pipes; a melodic, pleasant sound. Finishing the call, the robed alien turned and bowed down toward Hiro. It spoke, but the noises meant nothing to the human. The commander felt his anxiety growing quickly. What exactly was he supposed to do next?

             
Hiro watched in awe as the last creature approached from the interior of the shimmering craft. Dressed in gold, green and black robes that dragged in a train behind its feet, the elder alien conjured an image of a wizened monarch. Its emerald eyes locked onto Hir
o’
s, and those watching swore it smiled. Its ashen skin was wrinkled and leathery, but it walked with energy and poise.

             
“F
a’
hnaki Lan, Earthborne
,”
the creature spoke. Its voice came out soft but weathered
.“
I am honored by your welcome
.”
His words were slightly accented and easy to understand. When no one replied, he asked
,“
You do speak English, do
n’
t you
?
”

             
Hiro could barely move as the alien approached, entourage in tow. He stammered a few words out before taking the time to compose himself
.“
My name is Hiro Osaka, commodore in the Terran Fleet and Commander of the TFC
Midway
.”
He paused, unsure if it was enough of an introduction
.“
I
t’
s...I am honored to have you aboard
.
”

             
“That we could have met under kinder circumstance, Commodore Hiro Osaka
.”
The pronunciation was impeccable
.“
I a
m—
we ar
e—
forever in your debt for assisting in this battle
.
”

             
Hiro could
n’
t help but notice the sea of eyes watching his every move. The gravity of the situation dawned on him slowly, which was a blessing. If h
e’
d had full presence of mind, he probably would have fainted. A thought gnawed at him, that he should call an admiral or a councillor. But there was no time.

             
The creature turned to face the crowd
.“
I am called Anduin n
a’
Lanus. I am the leader of my people, the Nangolani
.”
Anduin turned to face Hiro
.“
You have made a lifelong ally by coming to our aid, but you have also found a ferocious enemy in the Boxti
.
”

             
“
I’
m sorry
,”
Hiro said
.“
The who
?
”

             
Andui
n’
s voice lowered
.“
It would take too long to explain here, but rest assured I will answer your questions. For now, all I ask is your trust, temporarily placed upon my people and I, until we can earn it fully. That and an agreement not to attack my weary flotilla. We have seen your might and know we would not last against you
.”
The alien extended his
han
d
—
Hiro
was surprised that he thought of the creature as a
he
, but the voice sounded decidedly masculine
.“
Commodore, I know that a handshake is only a custom and not a contract, but I hope you will accept my plea for help
.
”

             
Here it is
, Hiro thought.
It almost does
n’
t feel real, being here at this moment.
He had made life-or-death decisions without thought, relying on gut instinct alone. He had charged into battle with faith that his cre
w’
s skill would carry them through. But this was wholly different, and the fear he felt gnawed at him. Seconds passed, feeling like hours, before Hiro took the offered hand.

             
Andui
n’
s grip was strong, far stronger than expected. Hiro smiled and the alien returned the expression. The dam burst and every Terran in the room cried out, cheering and hollering. Crewmen jumped up and down, hugging and crying. Hiro shook hands with each of the aliens, acting as a diplomat more than a commander. Then the lithe soldiers took turns greeting the throng of pilots and crew eager to be a part of history. What had moments before been a tense standoff became an ad hoc victory party.

             
Across the room, Cameron watched with sober appreciation. Next to him, George bounced around, trading high fives and clapping soldiers on the back. He stopped when he noticed Camero
n’
s posture.

             
“Jesus, buddy. Wha
t’
s wrong
?
”

             
Cameron tried to shake it off
.“
Sorry. I just do
n’
t know. I mean, this is great, bu
t
—”

             
“No
,”
George said
.“
N
o‘
buts
.’
This is huge. This is the biggest thing w
e’
ve ever been a part of
.”
George stared at the alien craft, an enormous grin on his face
.“
This is just the beginning
.
”

             
George pushed through the crowd, leaving Cameron standing in the middle of the celebration. As he watched his friend go, Cameron shook his head.

             
“Tha
t’
s what
I’
m scared of
,”
he said to no one
.“
This is just the beginning
.
”

Chapter Two

Shadow of Tallus

“
And on that day, for the sins of their fathers and the pride of their leader, the Lord rained fire from the sky onto the fields and homes of the Egyptian people. And so it was then, so it is now
.
”

                                                       
Alexander Blightman

             
                                          Red Hammer Union             

             
                                          Founder

             
                                          March 14, 2220

-
                           
I                            -

October 14, 2236

              Amber sunlight filtered in through the tall windows of the briefing room. On the fiftieth floor of Vienn
a’
s tallest building, the Presidential Tower, the view of humanit
y’
s capital was breathtaking. Across a bustling plaza, Saint Stephe
n’
s Cathedral caught the morning rays just right. The looming limestone walls seemed amber as the day began for the European continent.

             
A crowd of reporters watched the door by the side of a polished podium with unguarded interest. For any journalist, the last twenty-four hours had been a mad hunt for details, trying to be the first to break the story of the millennium. Numerous agencies already found their foots planted clearly in their mouths after rushing out unchecked information regarding the attack in the skies over Luna. Now, in the press room of the High Chancellor himself, each person read over their sets of questions, looking for the biggest stone to upend.

             
The room had been decorated quickly to prepare for the conference. Three banner
s—
one gold, one gray, and one crimso
n—
hung from the ceiling, representing the Three Pillars of the government: Executor, Centurial, and Colonial. Each flowing standard had the symbol of the Terran Colonial Federate emblazoned in the center.

             
Drums began to play and the crowd, already on its feet, straightened even higher. Trumpets sounded, playing
Our Sky will Never Fall
, the anthem of the Federate government. Secret Service agents dissolved into the crowded room, securing every vantage point. Next, a pair of aides walked in, ensuring the podium had the proper speech and a glass of clear iced water already in place. The anthem finished with a flourish, leading into
Chancello
r’
s Call
. The scrawny press secretary entered wearing an ill-fitted suit. He coughed into his hand and leaned toward the mic.

             
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, High Chancellor Alexander Burton
.
”

             
With a sudden explosion of flashes off the 30 cameras in the room, Alexander walked in. Standing six-three with the build of a linebacker, the Chief Galactic Executive posed an intimidating figure. It was easy to see why the common joke in the Council was that Alexande
r’
s security used
him
for protection. Wearing a charcoal gray Kalsin suit that accented his ebony skin, Alexander looked the part of politician in outward appearance. He took the podium, gripping the cherry oak with his hands as he gazed over the crowd. His head of securit
y—
a gray-haired and stern-looking agen
t—
stood  off to the side, his eyes on the line of reporters.

             
“Please
,”
he said in a deep and slightly British baritone
.“
Have a seat
.”
The assembled crowd took their assigned chairs and waited for the speech to begin
.“
Hello, citizens of the Colonial Federate. Earthlings, Martians, Plutonians and all who call Sol their home. Good morning to our friends and loved ones on Tallus, as well as the scientists watching from the various observatories. To our loyal men and women of the Colorum Belt, good hunting. And of course, good evening to the lucky ones living in Eros. As all of you by now are aware, yesterday became a date marked in our history. Not just of the Federate, nor for the people of the Sol System but for all of humanity. For thousands of years, since mankind first looked into the sky with wonder, we have asked if we were alone in the universe. On October 13, 2236, we received a definitive answer. As Earth rose in the Lunar sky, two alien races met over our home planet to wage war. Though the motivation of each race is unknown to us at this time, their actions spoke to their true intentions.

             
“As Solus and Terra carrier groups converged on the impromptu battlefield, the alien race known as the Boxti began an unprovoked attack on our fighters that led to an all out-skirmish. With our two largest armadas positioned around Earth, the enemy was outnumbered and outmatched. Heavy fighting continued through the morning, but in the end our mighty Fleet emerged victorious
.
”             

             
Alexander looked down at his notes, pain showing in his face
.“
The battle was not without casualties. Two thousand injured, one quarter of that fatally. Nearly one hundred seamen died aboard the TMF
Savanna
, but her sacrifice destroyed the remaining enemy craft and prevented this hostile race from posing any immediate threat to our Homeworld
.”
He paused, letting out a sigh. He pinched the palm of his left hand, feeling a comforting lump of shrapnel underneath the muscle
.“
All told, some four hundred and thirty-six soldiers, airmen and seamen lost their lives defending our space, remarkable given the extreme technological superiority of these beings. And that sacrifice was not made alone. In this fight, another alien race shed blood alongside our ships, dying to protect their own existence. When the dust settled, they made the first move to offer a peaceful and quiet parlay that has since shed significant light on the extent of their dire situation.

             
“The silver craft belong to a civilization called the Nangolani. They are, in many ways, similar to us. Their home of Nangol, o
r‘
mother rock
,’
is built much like Earth. They have different cultures and languages depending on where on the planet they grew up. They have arts and science and fashion and, of course, a strong military. For us, the conflict with the Boxti is only hours old. For them, the war has raged for a hundred years. Millions of their people have died, and countless other alien races have fallen completely to the alien menace. While fleeing their pursuers, the Nangolani found a way to our system, and the rest w
e’
ll leave to the historians.

             
“I have spent the last day in deep counsel with Emperor Anduin and, with the advice of the Council and the guidance of the generals and admiralty, I have decided that the Terran Colonial Federate will enter into an alliance of faith with the Nangolani fleet. Though there is a long path before us, together we can share a burden that has taken so much from the galaxy
.
”

             
Alexander took a moment to drink from his glass of water. The next portion of his speech was
n’
t written on the script. He had
n’
t dared let a leak from a loose-lipped intern start a shitstorm in the press before h
e’
d had a chance to get ahead of it. Taking a deep breath, he dived in.

             
“It is with this task in mind that I will reinstitute the policy of a draft, compelling all men and women of appropriate age to join into a branch of service, to be started on Reformation Day next week. I understand this will be wholly unpopular, and I do
n’
t like the idea of conscription any more than the reality. But we are now a civilization at war, and everyone must contribute to see this through. I make a promise to you, the united Terran people, that I will repeal the draft when the war is finished. I have much to discuss with our new allies, so I cannot take questions at this time. Thank you
.
”

             
Alexander turned from the podium, dodging the shouts and screams as he made his way over to his chief aide, Arthur Rhoden. The smaller Mars native was a political pick that Alexander had originally fought, but quickly learned to appreciate. Arthur had no interest in the petty squabbling that had nearly destroyed Eart
h’
s closest neighbor. He kept Alexande
r’
s schedule tight and made sure the High Chancellor was prepared for everything the day brought. Whatever his political leanings, the aide was an asset Alexander could
n’
t live without.

             
“How did I do
?”
Alexander asked.

             
Arthu
r’
s eyes narrowed
.“
You realize yo
u’
re ending your career. This is going to make my job a hundred times harder
.
”

             
“I did
n’
t know I was such a burden to you
.
”

             
“Sir
,”
Arthur said breathlessly
.“
A draft is political suicide
.
”

             
Alexander started off down the hall toward his waiting car
.“
Not building an army is literal suicide. You saw the tapes. Those ships were incredible, and that was supposedly a vanguard
.
”             

             
“And they crumpled like tissue paper when Fleet engaged them. This is a ridiculous overreaction and i
t’
s going to bite both of us in the ass
.”
Arthur combed his fingers through his light blonde hair.

             
The High Chancellor shot a withering look at his aide
.“
If their full armada is as large as Anduin said, w
e’
ll need every able-bodied Terran to match them. And Arthur, le
t’
s not forget who would take the fallout here. I appreciate your candid opinion, but this was my call
.
”

             
Donald Groves, Alexande
r’
s head of security, approached from the parking lot. He spoke into a microphone on his cuff
.“
Lightning is moving toward the vehicle. Twenty seconds
.”
He fell into step with Alexander and Arthur, his hand hovering over his holster
.“
Sir, the car is coming around now. We cleared a path to Heathrow, and the shuttle is standing by to take you to Terra Node
.
”

             
At the door, Donald halted the two men. A jet-black limousine pulled up almost immediately, and the Secret Service agent pulled his objective firmly but gently to the car. After putting the two civilians in their seats, Donald sat down and the limo took off. With a police escort, the trip to the high-speed transit tunnel took only a few minutes. Once on the magnetically controlled circuit, the limo shot up to three hundred miles an hour and sped toward England.

             
Alexander looked at his chief of security
.“
Donald
,”
he said
.“
You have
n’
t told me what you thought of the speech
.
”

             
Groves gritted his teeth, tracing his gray mustache with his fingers. He hated politic
s—
did
n’
t care much for politicians, truth be tol
d—
but High Chancellor Burton thought of his security assets as more than just a shield
.“
Well, politically speaking, you blew it. You do
n’
t earn loyalty by taking away freedoms, and tha
t’
s all these people care about nowadays
.”
His piercing green eyes remained focused on the surrounding traffic, darting from car to car
.“
Start forcing people into uniform and yo
u’
ll see the rebellions start right back up
.
”