Tides of Mars (Omnibus Version) Page 39

  “Commander Tho'ren, it looks like we got lucky, Sir. This is an engineering relay for the environmental system. Tewney should be able to access the whole ship!” Corporal Shavez said. She had been one of the first people Ariel had recruited from Earth, and now she was a Tech-Corporal in the Imperial Marines. “I've already plugged her in. I didn't want to go running around a strange ship, Sir; I'd get lost!”

  Before Tho'ren could reply, someone else did. “Hell, Shavez, you didn't get lost wet-backing the border into the U.S; we were all going to follow you!” another Marine said.

  “Can it ladies, we're still in Grolith territory,” Tho'ren said. “Tewney, how much time?”

  “I'm downloading the database, Commander. This connection is secure, there was an open door warning sent to engineering, but I've since taken care of that. The AI in here barely qualifies for the name. I've had no trouble taking control. You can get our people out now, I'll disconnect from the terminal just before we detonate,” Tewney replied on the comm.

  “Okay, you heard the lady. Everyone back to the ship. Shavez, Carson, T'lith and Gro'lt, get its location from Tewney and grab the last demo charge. Everyone else, set up a perimeter until everyone else gets back,” Tho'ren ordered. Before he'd finished, the Marines were already climbing up the ladder.

  Tho'ren was the last to leave. He took one last look around, and followed his troops. Half-way up the ladder, Tewney contacted him privately.

  “I've had Beta team shift placements for their charges. I've found better places to put them. You do know don't you, that Private Gro'lt was correct; the use of this many charges is over kill.”

  “Yeah, I know. Are you familiar with Terran Shock and Awe tactics?” Tho'ren replied.

  Tewney was silent a moment as she accessed the information. “Wikipedia lists Shock and Awe as, and I quote; 'Shock and awe (technically known as rapid dominance) is a military doctrine based on the use of overwhelming power, dominant battlefield awareness, dominant maneuvers, and spectacular displays of force to paralyze an adversary's perception of the battlefield and destroy its will to fight.' it goes on to credit the doctrine to a former Naval Commander and a former military liaison officer.”

  “That would be the one. Now, this little fleet believes that this ship is their biggest and baddest. As long as she remains untouched, they believe they have a chance. If we blow this fucker into atomic particulates, what do you think that will do to the morale of the rest of this force?” Tho'ren asked.

  “It would certainly make me wonder about the wisdom of this fight. It should also create enough confusion for the missile pods to have an easier time dealing with the rest of the fleet. I take it then that you wanted me to co-ordinate with the fire control officer for the pods so the first wave of missiles coincides with the detonation of the super carrier?” Tewney asked.

  “Yes, but make sure your detonation is point-three light seconds before the missile impacts. That way, the interference from the detonation will fuck-up the targeting for point defense cannons.”

  “That will certainly prove catastrophic to the enemy fleet. By now, they have to be wondering why our capitol ships have not fully engaged the enemy,” Tewney replied.

  “By the time they figure it out, there should only be a few of them remaining that are capable of reporting the unusual tactics used here,” Tho'ren said. “Once we see how well this works, then we can report on its viability to the Admiral.”

  “Why didn't you tell me about this beforehand?” Tewney asked, sounding slightly hurt.

  Tho'ren frowned. He hadn't intended to hurt her feelings. “Tewney, we didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but we had no idea what to expect from the enemy AI. We didn't tell you because we didn't want you to have the information in case the enemy AI over-powered you. Now that we know they are little more than navigational aids, we won't have to worry about it anymore.”

  She sounded better after she thought about it for a moment. “I can understand that. I agree it was a sound idea. I'll issue a full report on the enemy AI to Divine Light if you would like; that way it can be figured into future strategies.”

  “That would be perfect, Tewney. I was going to ask you to do it anyway. Thank you.”

  “You're welcome. Beta team is returning. All charges are placed. We should be able to lift in a few minutes,” she reported.

  Parker-Moran Estate

  Henderson, NV. North American Continent,

  Earth, Sol Sector. (Formerly Horon-A Sector)

  “Ariel I need to talk to you,” Brenda said, bursting into Ariel's study.

  “I'm really sorry, Brenda. Now isn't a good time,” Ariel said sadly. “I've got a million things to take care of. I have no idea how Miss Parker took care of all this and still had time to breathe!”

  “That's bullshit, Ariel! I thought we were friends! I've been here a week and you've barely said hello to me!” Brenda said, starting to cry. “After what I saw this morning, I'm more than a little scared.”

  Ariel shivered. What could Brenda have seen? They'd been very careful. “What do you mean? What did you see this morning?”

  Brenda snorted. “You, getting off the strangest looking aircraft I've ever seen, wearing what looked a lot like HALO battle armor. Followed by more folks dressed the same way, only they were wearing their helmets.

  “I know you told me that Micale was your friend, but I think I know what a bodyguard looks like. Everyone here treats you like a head of state, and that's only the beginning of the weirdness. What the fuck is really going on here, Ariel?”

  Ariel sighed. She had been hoping to spare Brenda all of this, but she'd seen too much, and figured out just enough to be dangerous. Ariel would not order her best friend killed.

  “Brenda, I didn't tell you because I didn't think you'd believe me. But, from the sound of it, you've figured out enough that you might. Before I start this, I want you to know, that every single word of what I'm about to tell you is the truth. I give you my word as an Imperial Guardian,” Ariel said seriously.

  “What the hell is an Imperial Guardian?” Brenda asked.

  “It's part of what I've got to tell you, but for now, I just need you to believe I will not lie to you. Okay?” Ariel asked.

  “Until I came out here, I'd never had reason to believe you have ever lied to me, Ariel. But since I've been here, I've begun to wonder. I know for a fact that there is a hell of a lot more going on out here than you being the long lost Parker Heir,” Brenda explained. “Now, I do feel like you've lied to me.”

  “Actually, I haven't lied to you; everything I told you is true. But I am guilty of a lie of omission. I am the Parker Heir, but there is much, much more to this story I didn't tell you. Can you except that I omitted information because I was protecting you?”

  Brenda thought about it for a short period, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, I can accept that. The Ariel I know would most certainly do that to protect a friend. So, you actually are the richest women in the world now?”

  Ariel shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea about that. Mostly because it's too trivial for me to worry about. So do you promise that you believe me now?”

  “Yeah, I promise. This must be pretty major; I've never seen you so intense about something. You've really changed over the last few months. I still haven't decided if it's in a good way yet,” Brenda said, taking a seat on the couch.

  Ariel picked up the phone and touched a button. “Betty? Hi, it's Ariel. Could Brenda and I have breakfast in the den? We're gonna be talking for a bit.” She paused.

  “Yeah, I'm going to tell her everything. Could you ask Dad and ‘the Moms’, M'Kial and Bri'tell to come in here when they've finished their meals?” She paused again.

  “No, have them stay there and finish, it'll give Brenda and I more time alone, before we gang up on her,” Ariel said and winked at a now very curious looking Brenda.

  Ariel hung up then, and started talking. They were interrupted a few minutes later by Betty arriving with their b
reakfast. Before she left, Betty winked at Brenda, and patted her shoulder. Then she left without a word, and the talk continued.

  About forty-five minutes later, Ariel's Mom and Dad, Alex, Micayla and the man that had been introduced as 'Brad' let themselves in, quietly. Without interrupting the conversation, each person got something to drink, and took a seat.

  Most of them had taken time to change clothes. Only Alex wasn't wearing a uniform, but she was wearing a different type of suit. This one had a purple sash with gold trim on it. And a small silver crown pin was stuck in it over her heart.

  Brenda couldn't tell what nations uniform Luke and Brad were wearing, but both looked very impressive. Although she couldn't tell what rank each was, she could tell that Brad was an enlisted man, and Luke was an officer.

  Karen and Micayla were also wearing uniforms. Karen's was very plain looking with silver disks on the collar and a silver pair of wings with a star over it on her left breast, right beside a small, silver crown.

  Micayla was wearing a uniform that closely matched what Brenda knew as the formal US Marine uniform. It was black, and had red piping around the seams. However, she wore no rank insignia, and the only decoration was on her left breast. Two crossed swords under a silver crown. When she looked again, both Luke and Brad wore the same crossed swords under the silver crown.

  Well, Ariel did say she was a Princess and the heir to the galactic throne. She couldn't help it, she giggled. She held up her hand to Ariel so she would stop, and giggled a little more. “I'm sorry Ariel, I need a few moments. This is a lot to take in.”

  “True, and not a lot of it's very believable. However, so far, I haven't heard her tell you anything but the truth,” Luke said. “She is the Heir Apparent to the Imperial Throne, it's a good empire, with a good ruler. However, some very bad men have used their influence to start a civil war.”

  “If it's that good of an Empire, then why are there so many disgruntled people? I mean, it takes a lot of people to support a war. How did the bad guys get supporters, if this Empire is so great?” Brenda asked.

  “I would like to answer that question, if I may your Highness?” Hanya said from the door to the den. She bowed to Ariel.

  “Of course, Ambassador,” Ariel said, smiling at her friend. “Brenda, I would like you to meet one of our most loyal allies, Ambassador Duchess Hanya Frie of the Ophuchian Cluster.

  “Uh, Hello?” Brenda said. At first, she didn't look that closely at Hanya, but as the woman got closer, she began looking closer. “Oh my... You're not human are you?”

  “No, I'm not. I was born on a planet so far away, that its light doesn't even reach Earth,” Hanya said. “However, I'm not the only alien here. Prince Master Chief Bri'tell and mKail were both born on other worlds.” She took Brenda's hand and touched it to her forehead in greeting.

  “Many of your centuries ago, before the formation of the Empire, there existed hundreds of little kingdoms. At any given time, at least half of them were at war. Entire planets were starving while half a sector away, there was food rotting in warehouses. Press gangs were kidnapping people for the Wars. Roaming gangs of criminals visited all manner of cruelty on others for little to no reason.

  “It was chaos. We in the cluster could do little to help; all of our defenses were involved in protecting us. However, deep in the midst of the madness, there was one sane Kingdom. It wasn't the largest, but it was the most technologically advanced. The rulers of this Kingdom had no desire to get involved in the wars, but knew that something had to be done. It was decided that, as a Nation, they had to do what they could to save the rest of their race from complete annihilation.

  “All of their scientific, industrial, and agricultural industries geared themselves for this one task. For the duration, all other industries were suspended, and the people began training to crew the massive navy that they had begun to build.

  “In addition to supplying the comestibles for the fleet, the Agro Industry took it upon themselves to begin stockpiling food for the planets that had been hit the hardest by the wars. Seeing the wisdom of their actions, one of the most powerful men in the industrial complex began tunneling, to move his factories and plants underground to free up more land for the farmers.

  “To this day, the core worlds are hollow, and the surface is entirely devoted to food production. However, once the massive, powerful fleets had been built they were sent out escorting thousands of supply ships. They ended the wars not only by destroying the warring ships, but by winning the hearts and minds of the people.

  “Many of the Kingdoms, over-threw their leaders, and appointed someone they believed had their best interests at heart. A treaty was soon signed that created the Empire of Stars and the Alliance, but also created a Senate that would advise the Emperor on decisions. It was the primary purpose of the Senators to let the Emperor know the will of the people.

  “However, over time, the Senate slowly took all the power away from the Emperor. They ratified a constitution they themselves created. This new constitution not only took all the power away from the Emperor, it had nothing to do with the people. In fact, it legalized slavery and took away the right to own property unless the person was nobility; which were only those in the senate, and their relatives,” Hanya explained.

  “The Emperor did what he could to limit the Senate. He flatly refused to allow slavery for anything other than criminal punishment. Indentured servitude is not considered slavery since 'Indies' as they are called actually do have rights, and they are freed from service after the initial debt is paid off. Once an 'Indie' has paid off their debt, they can no longer enter into a contract that would indenture them again.”

  “The Senate has threatened the Emperor with shipping embargo's as well as work stoppages, and all manner of other commercial and civil disobedience. However, they have been empty threats since the Emperor, and only the Emperor, has ultimate command of the Imperial military.

  “Most of the people in the Empire know that Emperor Cr'ale is doing everything he can to counter the Senate. But if he dissolved the Senate, it would invalidate the treaty that formed the Imperial Alliance, and the people would, once again, be at the mercy of the leaders of their planets.

  “Now, the Senate has recessed itself, which also violated the treaty, and has begun a civil war to remove the Emperor and take direct control over the Alliance. They do not have the support of the population, but they do have a lot of loyal followers, most of whom are criminals of one type or another. We believe that the bulk of the ship's crews are slaves.

  “Ariel, with the knowledge and approval of her grandfather, the Emperor, was going to start a rebellion against the Senate. However, the Senate beat her to the punch. So, there you have it; a very compressed history of the Empire,” Hanya finished.

  “I don't understand, if the Senate doesn't have the support of the people, how do they hope to keep control of the Empire? They'd have outright rebellion on every planet!”

  Ariel spoke up now. “Yes they would, except for the small fact that, other than the core worlds, private ownership of weapons was forbidden by law. The people have no defense against the government.”

  Brenda looked shocked. “Jeez, we need to start an Imperial branch of the NRA. So what's an Imperial Guardian?”

  “Guardians were created to be the ones that the people could turn to if they had a problem with the local governments. Kinda like Federal Marshals, only with a lot more power,” Bri'tell replied. “Unfortunately, the Senate conspired to make sure only those of noble birth could qualify to be a Guardian.

  “So a good portion of the Guardians became pets of the Senate simply by right of birth. There are a few like Ariel, Admiral Hs'ean, and Commander Tho'ren that believe the primary mission of a Guardian is the protection of the people. When it was first formed, the Guardian Corp had a reputation as honest and loyal guardians of the people. Trust of a Guardian was universal.

  “Many times, a visiting Guardian would be asked to adjudicat
e major disputes between people. Now, however, when the people see a Guardian coming now, most of them run for cover.” He frowned. “Ariel hopes to restore the people’s faith in the Guardians.”

  Conversation stopped there for a while so Brenda could absorb all the information she had been hearing. After a few minutes, she looked up at Ariel. “Okay, I believe you. There is far too much detail for this to be a lie, even if you are rich. So, now I have to decide what to do with what I've learned.” At the look on Ariel's face, she held up a hand. “No, I'm not stupid enough to try to tell anyone about it; the secret's safe. But I have to wonder what you plan to do if the war comes here?”

  “I'm afraid it's not if, but when. Aldus Forward has already fallen to the Senate, and the core worlds are under siege. Grandfather is on his way here even though this is the next logical place for the enemy to attack. We're working on making sure they get a very warm welcome. We are also trying to make sure the fighting is far away from the planet, but I don't have a lot of faith in that.

  “Honestly, other than addressing the UN Security Council, I have no idea what to do about it. People will see the fighting in space, and they'll panic. Maybe by telling the UN about what's going to happen, they can take steps to control people's reactions when it does happen,” Ariel explained.

  “I don't think anyone would be able to control a whole planet full of people in that circumstance. There'll be riots, mass suicides, and every preacher of every religion on the planet will start screaming as loudly as they can that judgment day is here. Too bad you can't tell the Pope as well. Not to mention all the border wars that have been waiting for a 'sign from God' to start-up,” Brenda said. “Maybe I should try to get a message to my parents to get their asses back to the US before the shit hits the fan.”

  “What are you gonna tell them? ‘There’s an interstellar war about to spill over into our neck of the woods, so you guys might want to come home before you get trapped.' Somehow, I don't think they'd believe you,” Ariel said.