Orders
Keenan hated meetings and councils, but this time things were different. He had come late and unexpected, at least for most of those present, and this one wasn’t boring at all.
Once off the St. Helena, he and his men had been reassigned to clean up operations and transferred to the S.S. Normandy, a Class II Destroyer in a convoy of 22 ships. The convoy had been stationed two jumps away, but once they were done they quickly jumped back to the area where the alien homeworld had been.
After wiping out the partially functioning orbital platforms and alien craft that were in stray orbit around the remains of the alien homeworld, they quickly advanced from solar system to solar system as Intel gave them new information on the locations of other hives. For the next two months Keenan and the others were busy in a free for all against easy targets, but then came Alpignon-4 and their first major loss. From that point, 6 more worlds brought the tally to two losses, three stalemates and one win. No one could figure out what had changed, except for the fact the ants seemed smarter. Keenan saw it – new maneuvers in their dog fights, new traps set up for the convoy, and hints of something big culled from a number of the alien wrecks. Intel had been quiet; with CIA Officer Salinas watching wordlessly as the computer science team uploaded the most recent data from a captured alien ship.
Frustration grew, and Keenan saw the reaction from the others towards Salinas. He saw it and sympathized, but said nothing. Intel knew things, but it never spoke. No good news and no bad news, just commands, and that was the way it had been for seven hundred years.
He didn’t even try to get anything from her. Every single person on every WF ship knew that Intel officers were top notch poker and chess players. They were almost clairvoyant in their ability to second guess others and hide their tells. Winning was next to impossible, and trying to get info from them on classified matters would be even harder.
He laughed at the memory of their welcoming party after having returned victorious. Salinas was there, but in the furthest corner of the room. As everyone got happily drunk, she sat back and methodically studied him and his crewmembers, watching their every move. He had gotten tired of it and went to confront her, but never got the chance. She had left by the time he was halfway there. He was surprised when Salinas approached him now.
“Officer Keenan.”
He looked at her coolly. The way she addressed him was technically correct, as his ship was destroyed and he was no longer a captain until he was reassigned, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before his new destroyer was finished.
“I have received a priority one call from CIA. You and your team are to go to Earth now. Information on your next assignment will be given to you there. A jump ship is now waiting. You have one hour.” She walked away without waiting for confirmation, leaving a stewing Keenan glaring at her back.
He ran after her, and once he caught up, he said, “Officer, a question.”
Salinas stopped and eyed him.
“Why Earth?” It’s not that he didn’t want to see Earth. Everyone had seen the amazing pictures the fleet had transmitted of earth-rise and of Hoyt’s recording. But he wondered what it was that Earth had that was so important for him.
“The Earth Alliance Council has requested it. I suggest you not miss the meeting,” she said matter-of-factly, turning to leave once again.
Earth Alliance. So it was true, they really were alive, and still active according to Salinas. To demand a visit from an officer meant that they had military authority.
He wondered if this had anything to do with the New World Leader. According to the World Federation Declaration, everyone was subject to him, including the Space Fleet, as they did technically still belong to Earth. In reality, the situation was muddied and confusing, and no info had come back clarifying the situation. There also were rumors of a previously uncommunicative group of alien creatures, but little else was known.
This was better than any holomovie had had seen in a very long time, and there was no way he was going to miss it. He grabbed his crew, prepped and took the ship to near Earth Orbit, dropping in their Maxon suits to take advantage of the view.
***
Keenan was impressed with the large and very well supplied base, buried eight hundred meters below the surface of the Arctic Circle. Facing him was a rotund, short woman with an oval face and black hair who called herself Nan’mtek and said she represented the council. At the base were Jaclyn and Scratch, two people he had heard of but had never met until the party a few hours ago; the New World Leader Timothy Paul and his wife Ruth, the Commander and General Hoyt, and the Digital Librarian, Finley, at the odd request of the Council. He, Jane, Mat and John had spent the last hour talking to Nan’mtek about their new mission.
“So let me get this straight,” Keenan said. “You want me to go to Sirius-3, the new alien hive world, find out what they’re doing with humans there and report back to you.”
“That’s right, Captain Keenan,” she replied. “Do you think you can handle that?” she added with a smile.
Captain Keenan laughed, deciding then and there that he liked this woman. She had balls and wasn’t afraid to ask for the impossible, and she did it with a smile, making it appear as if all she wanted was an ice cream cone from the freezer. In reality, the mission would probably lead to their deaths. She had just finished explaining how alien hives sent out mature females once their population reached 15,000 units, much like Earth ants. The difference was that much fewer queens were sent out, and once the planet reached critical population, drones prepped a new planet before the queen arrived. Intel had established that the queens, with the male permanently attached to her abdomen, had changed, and that this change involved humans.
“Well, Nan’mtek, I’ll see what I can do,” he replied as he got up to leave.
“I have full confidence in all of you. After all, you’ve already cheated death once before. Speaking of which, what you four did was amazing. All of humanity owes you.”
Keenan didn’t reply as he thought about Ivanov, his heart aching deeply over the death of his good friend.
“Good luck and god’s speed.”
They all watched as Keenan and his group left the room and said their good-byes.
***
General Hoyt, Commander Hollander, Ruth, Timothy, Jack and Scratch sat facing Nan’mtek. She was obviously the council spokesperson, and she had been very busy this morning.
“I have to admit,” Jason said, “that I’m a little jealous.”
“Honey, did you forget about Beta-9?”
Jason laughed. “No. And you’re right. Just that there’s not too many people like him, you know? Keenan had readily gone to destroy the alien homeworld knowing he wouldn’t survive. And he just agreed to do a similar mission. What we did was impressive, but we didn’t do it knowing we would die.”
“We face death every day, Scratch, but you’re right. They are true heroes,” Jack said. The rest agreed as they looked back on what Keenan and his crew did.
Nan’mtek smiled as at his comment. “Jason and Jaclyn, would you like some tea or coffee? I’m sure a host can prepare you something while you wait.” Nan’mtek said. “I have someone else to meet before we’re done.”
“I know when I’m not wanted,” Jason said laughing, but Jack wasn’t very happy with the comment, which she viewed as mistrust.
Nan’mtek immediately picked up on her feeling. “Jaclyn, what I will be telling Timothy and Ruth, the Commander and the General is vital for human survival, and most people shouldn’t know of this. I’m sure you understand why,” she added.
“You know I can read your mind if I like,” Jack replied.
“Yes, but you won’t. With what I’ll be asking the both of you to do, it really is better if you don’t know about the other stuff.”
Jack was curious and Scratch was worried, but they left to allow her to speak to the rest.
“General, Commander, we’ve prepared a very special gift for all World Federation ships. Please see Nun, who will give you the technical details. I would appreciate it if you could start implementing the process immediately.”
The two were curious, but they already knew nothing more would be forthcoming from her, so they got up and left.
“And as for you two,” Nan’mtek said, “I’m afraid we’ll have to leave Sam in charge for a little bit.” Sam had been designated Vice President and had been doing an excellent job while Timothy oversaw the reconstruction of Earth Bases and the coordination of their efforts.
“You both know what the Commander and General said. We have to be united in our last stand with the ants, and we need help.”
“But from who? Species 002?” Ruth asked, unsure of where Nan’mtek was going with this.
“Ruth, when you first entered Base Freedom USA, you were told that humanity had contacted a number of alien species, but only a few had been interested in helping us. Don’t take that information the wrong way. Aliens are so different from us that even the nuance of the word ‘help’ can be completely misunderstood, so it’s no surprise that communication is difficult at best. However, there are five sentient species in the neighborhood that show promise, and they may likely be absolutely vital for our survival. We would like you both to become temporary ambassadors so to speak and try to establish friendly dialogue with them for our mutual benefit.”
“Nan’mtek,” Timothy interrupted, “You’re looking at the wrong man for the job. I’m busy here with my responsibilities, which have been thrust on me by your group, I might add. The bases are far from ready and I have no experience in dealing with aliens. I haven’t even seen a live one yet, let alone try to make a deal with it. My wife is pregnant, of all things. And you want us to be ambassadors?”
“Nan’mtek, I have to agree,” Ruth said. “This just isn’t right.”
Nan’mtek smiled. “I understand your reluctance. Honestly. But tell me this, what makes a person a great mathematician? Or an amazing engineer? Timothy, you’re good with your hands. We’ve watched you disarm, disassemble and modify complex killing machines – the ‘tests of faith’ as your tribe called them. Could Sam do it? Or Pliny?
“What makes a person World Leader material? Instruction and education? The women from Base Canada – you know the ones. You put them through the instruction units, tried to give them insight into what it meant to be humans, put them with your tribe, and yet, where are they now?
“Not everyone can be a mathematician, a surgeon, or an engineer; at least, not a good one. Think of Keenan, Ivanov, Jaclyn, Jason and the others you know, people that do what they do because that was what they were born to do. You both have a gift, and together this will work. Without the two of you, I have no doubt in my mind that all will be lost. So if I’ve asked you to do something, it’s because there’s no one better or no one else for the job. I’m sorry to say, but this isn’t a request. The world is at stake. This is a requirement, just as it was when I asked Keenan to die ten minutes ago.”
Nan’mtek stood up and turned to leave. As she did so, she said, “HAL will fill you in on the details. Oh, by the way, your first planet is Lucious Prime. Goodbye.”
Ruth turned to Timothy and looked at him silently, unsure of what to say. Timothy was quiet as he thought about Keenan, Jack and Scratch. He fought against the sense of despair coming over him by turning the mood around and asking Ruth, “Are you hungry? I’m starving!”
Ruth laughed and they left hand in hand.
Nan’mtek calmly walked to the exit door, and once through she closed it behind her. After looking down the hallway and certifying that she was alone, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart had been beating rapidly, and if it wasn’t for her medication she felt she would have had another stroke. ‘Honestly, these people are like children,’ she said to herself. ‘And I still have three more to deal with...’
At that moment Nun walked into the hallway and approached her.
“You were successful.”
She took no joy in the comment, knowing it wasn’t a commendation. “So far. One more to go, the most important one.”
“It is. Do you think any will survive Keenan’s mission?”
“No. I’m afraid the computer calculations are correct. Their drop suits have been programmed, just in case.”
“And Timothy and Ruth?” Nun asked.
“If we get to the aliens in time, if they agree to help, if they can offer anything of significance…There are far too many if’s. However, the two will live, even with their incompetent Captain.”
“If their mission fails, the issue of life is moot.”
Nan’mtek looked at him, and his comment reminded her why she married him.
“Wish me luck,” she said, knowing neither believed in it.
She went over to the room where Finley was waiting, and steadied herself for the emotional ordeal she would have to face in making the next request. Once in, Finley, who had been studying a digital display of a 3 dimensional model of a modified sugar molecule, stood up rapidly and awkwardly, wondering why it was that he had been requested to a meeting.
“Mr. Finley, I’m sure you are wondering why we asked you to come.”
“Well, yes, actually. I’m a librarian specializing in digital files of…”
“We know, Mr. Finley, and that’s the exact reason why you are here. We have a special request to make, and one that is personally very difficult for me to ask of you.”
Finley was intrigued and worried at the same time.
“We know of your abilities, and we followed the Maxon camera and voice feeds that recorded your actions on Pluto Deep Space Base. We also know that you kept the Angela persona that gave your crew so much trouble. There was no need as we have a copy of it ourselves, but that’s irrelevant.
“It is obvious that you have an unusual ability to improvise, and your various fields put you in a unique position to be ‘used’, if you so agree. We have a mission we would like you to be part of. You would work alone. It would involve danger, and you may not survive, but at the same time, it will allow you to peer into the computer systems the aliens use and, if successful, modify them. It may well play the key part in destroying our enemies once and for all.”
Finley stood quiet as he contemplated what Nan’mtek had said. Finally, he replied, “What is it you want me to do?”
Nan’mtek left Finley, surprising herself at how difficult her request had been to make. Their careful study of his personality had come to fruition, and the planted words she had included in her comments had their desired effect. Still, her conscience troubled her more with Finley than it did with Keenan. He was a hardened soldier who expected to die at any moment. Finley was a stubborn, hard-headed librarian. Dying was the furthest thing from his mind.
Jack and Scratch were next, and they were by far the most dangerous of the whole group. She felt her upper forearm until her fingertips came across another of the tiny plastic bubbles that had been implanted before everyone arrived. Popping it, she felt the rush of adrenalin as the psi-blockers worked their way to her brain again. She had to be absolutely certain that they could in no way read her mind.
She stilled her heart back to 72 beats per minute, pressed the receiver implanted behind her ear and simply said, “Where?”
“Commissary,” was the one word reply.
She laughed. “Good old Scratch,” she said to herself.
***
Scratch was pigging out again, which annoyed Jack to no end. ‘How could he eat like that?’ She thought. He ate at least four times more than she did, and yet he never got fat.
Scratch looked at her and said, “Honey, honestly. We’ve talked about envy before.”
“Shut-up, or I’ll make sure your mouth will be wired shut for...” Nan’mtek entered the room and she quickly finished her sentence “a kiss.”
Scratch smiled and blew her a kiss.
“So, I am hoping both of you are curious as the where we’d like to send you.”
“Actually, no. We’re on our honeymoon,” Jack said.
Nan’mtek smiled and replied, “Good. Then I have the perfect planet. Dry, sunny, warm... you know, right up your alley.”
Jack was intrigued but refused to show it and stayed quiet. Scratch stood there uncomfortably, watching the two women measure each other up. He had seen this many times before but always in a bar, and he knew better then to get in the middle of this, so he simply played invisible and kept eating.
Nan’mtek finally said, “Jack, we’re on the same page here. I am not the one who is your enemy.”
“True, but you’re not exactly being truthful either. Does that make you my friend?”
“There are many things I can’t tell you, whether you agree to this or not. However, let’s call a truce and get to the point of this meeting. The ants, at one time, never had technology or spaceflight, you know.”
“They didn’t?” Scratch mumbled, his mouth full. Swallowing, he added, “Well, I mean, of course they didn’t. Just like us, right?”
“I know what you mean Scratch. You’re much smarter than you sound, you know.” Jack laughed at that one.
“The truth is, the ants stole it. They don’t have Einsteins or Jonathan Diazes.”
“But they have a lot of new stuff though,” Jack said. “Like that stealth craft we stole.”
“You’re right, but even that didn’t come from them, simply because they aren’t able to do it. Think of it this way. Think back to the discovery that most metals could be made transparent. When and how did that happen?”
Jack had to dig deep to remember the article from the teaching unit. “In 2010, a number of scientists expanded on the fact that glass’ state is puzzling, neither a solid nor a liquid.”
“Exactly! Regular glass, like your drinking cup. And nobody could classify it. It was such a mystery!” Nan’mtek said as she clapped her hands. And yet, NASA did studies, applied the known information to metals and…”
“Within 10 years we had our first continuously transparent piece of aluminum,” Jack finished off.
“Yes. And thirty years later?”
“We were able to turn various metals transparent with the flick of a toggle.”
“So, in forty years, we went from investigation, to adjustable transparency in metals. After 14,700 years, the ants still don’t have this. Do you know why?”
“Because we didn’t give it to them?” Scratch said, butting in.
“Exactly. They don’t have ants with 200 I.Q.’s; they’re opportunists. They steal. They DO NOT create. Everything they have has been scavenged and stolen from other civilizations. That is their genetic makeup, and they’re very good at it.”
“Okay,” Jack replied. “So, what does this have to do with us?”
“I would like you both to go to the very first ant planet, the original. It’s still around you know, but it is no longer their homeworld as it has been wiped clean of resources. Go there, and complete the mission objectives downloaded on to the stealth ship.”
“But we destroyed their homeworld. Six months ago.”
“Their present homeworld was. As far as we can tell, this is their fifteenth homeworld.”
Jack’s jaw dropped. “What happened to the other ones?”
“As soon as they raped one planet, they’d set up shop on another. They’ve been doing this for 15,000 years.”
“So, one planet per thousand years.”
“Keep in mind that the growth is algorithmic and exponentially increasing, and we worked out that with their present growth they will soon be consuming a planet every four hundred years. As it is, in five thousand years every known Class A, B, and C planet will be consumed.” Nan’mtek let that truth sink in before continuing.
“In any case, go to the first one. Once there, I want you to give yourselves up.”