Paradigms

[Hydro]

Command center, Firebase 112, Macedonia – SPARTA 2269

Colonel Corazon Santiago was not in a very good mood. All day she had worked with the Pro-Consul and the Federation council to organize a disaster response. The “blight” had destroyed every living thing around the oldest Thracian base and now food production was in grave jeopardy. Even with their best efforts they could still not devise a solution to solve the problem and feed everyone at the base. For some time hunger and starvation would rule. What troubled Santiago even more was the fact that as far as she could tell from the intelligence gathered by Major Gregovich none of the other factions had suffered any of the “blights” or viral attacks that the Spartans had. Each time key production facilities were needed to aid the war cause an event, like this, occurred and forced the Spartans to shift resources to fix the problem. She thought of the old proverb, “fool me once, shame on your. Fool me twice shame on me.” Now she would make her own addition to the saying, “Fool me three times and I will kill you”. She had ordered Major Gregovich to put together a report of the most likely candidates: Morgan, Skye and Zakharov. Yang was not included since his scientific capacity in genetic research was poor to say the least and it also requires a vast amount of funding, something they knew he did not have. Add all of this to the fact the war effort in Macedonia had bogged down. Lack of war material had really taken a toll her ability to conduct an offensive war. However, replacements were at last coming on line and the Morgan attack planes had arrived as well. Her air “boss” Captain Rogers had just walked into the command center with a grim look on his face.

“What is it Captain?” Santiago asked as she returned his crisp salute.

“Colonel, its these Morganites I decided it was best for now if their units would just attack any Hive elements found in our territory. Trying to incorporate them into our battle plans would be too difficult, as we had already discussed. However, the leader of the Morgan squadrons only wants to complain about his “accommodations” and that until his men get “proper” quarters they wont fly.”

“If they wont fly you have my permission to take their planes and use our pilots. But do try to give them one more chance.” Captain Rogers smiled an evil smile as he saluted and turned back to the door. Santiago knew that her “air boss” would not actually take the planes but it might put a light the Morganites.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2269

Coronal Santiago,

It pleases me to inform you that the Board has decided to gift the Spartan people 500 megacredits to help rebuild after your loss to the Planet Blight. Your people have been most unfortunate to suffer twice under this onslaught and, because we have been singularly fortunate in the regard, it is appropriate that we share this bounty with our allies. I recommend that a portion of this be spent on terraformers to speed your rebuilding efforts.

I was also informed that the Morganite Bomber Wing finally saw combat, eliminating a Hive missile plasma infantry that was advancing toward your positions. The two interceptors are also in position. They will serve as blocks on Hive advances and provide cover for your forces, and they have been given orders to support ground assaults if conditions are not too unfavorable. Two more interceptors are en-route and more are being produced as we speak. It is my hope that this will augment the balance of forces and ease some of the industrial and economic stresses the Hive war has placed upon your society.

Regards,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Command center, Firebase 112, Macedonia – SPARTA 2670

Santiago watched her deputy commanders carefully from her observation post at the end of the room. Last week she had called both commanders from battle group Odin and Zeus to prepare their staffs for a strategic war game that would run for a week. She had already laid out the scenario weeks in advance in secret in anticipation of her decision to launch an offensive against the Hive. For nearly a week now both commanders had fought the simulated campaign and today was the end of the exercise. She really did not at this point “need” to see how it ended since she had monitored the exercise from the start. What she had discovered was not good. If she began the attack now without more troops especially infantry and rovers they would not be able to reach their goal of capturing three Hive bases. At best the scenario, as played out, only achieved the capture of two bases thus leaving a third base able to strike at the weakened Spartan forces. This was not good.

“Colonel, the commanders are ready to report.” Longstreet had quietly moved up behind her while she was distracted in thought.

“Thank you Major.” She curtly replied.

There were forces ready to begin the attack but they were not in position yet. That was the problem, the Spartans had equipment, men and supplies but they were not in position. Well, regardless she intended to move before Yang could become more powerful. She would reconfigure the next battle session so that the Spartans would move in smaller steps to gain their victory, a rolling defensive – offense. Well, she knew her troops were up to the challenge the question was were her commanders?


*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2270

The results were modest but Morgan was satisfied. The two Morganite interceptors had destroyed a former and missile artillery that were advancing toward Spartan positions. The bomber had gone back for refueling and the interceptors were keeping the Hive forces at bay – interposing themselves while Santiago’s forces regrouped.

At the present rate they could keep this up for a long period of time. The interceptors were pretty useless at ground attack, but were perfectly suited to destroying ill defended or civilian units. Eventually the damage they accrued would become prohibited and then it would be necessary to repair, and upgrade to the newest weaponry available. By that time a few more interceptors would be on the way. Many more were being constructed but it was very slow going. The distances between Morganite and Spartan territories were daunting.

What was a little odd is that Santiago insisted on the ‘best’, making her military buildup very expensive and time consuming. The ‘best’ was a good idea if it was cost effective, but it seemed that some of her designs were extremely expensive. It was true that the Morganite interceptors were expensive too, now that he thought of it.

Yes, the same lesson could be applied at home. From now on a ‘shell’ would be built and then upgraded. That may help. In the meantime it would take a while for the existing production lines to clear.

*~*~*~*

Command center, Firebase 112, Macedonia – SPARTA 2271

Santiago watched the reports and holo-map and knew that the Peacekeeper base was not going to survive if they did not get relief soon. Yang’s forces had weakened the base defenders and Yang was still pouring more forces into the area. Well, at least she thought, we now know where those missile troops that had vanished were now at.

“Send a message to Morgan’s air commander to see if there is any thing he can do to help the Peacekeepers.” Santiago remarked as manipulated some units on the map.

“Yes Colonel.” Major Longstreet replied and turned to send the message.

Santiago went back to the map table and studied the new force deployments and knew that there was nothing she could do to help the Peacekeeper base. She was not going to send off her air force that was for sure. In the cold light of the military situation the only plus she could see was that the battle drained forces away from the Spartan front lines to capture a marginal target at best. Well, things would certainly change now. The new plasma weapons that Major Stewart developed had capitulated the Spartan’s offensive capabilities far beyond what the Hive could field. Add to that the fact that the project just completed in Thrace would establish a new space based orbiting industrial center that would be completely dedicated to supporting the military. Bases would now have more minerals to use for production.

“Colonel I have an incoming message from Chairman Yang, he wishes to discuss the possibility of a blood truce?” Longstreet reported.

Santiago hit a button on her console and the plans for he new “shard” rover and aircraft popped up. They were magnificent, machines of pure terror and power! With these death machines under her command why should she ever seek peace with Yang?

“Inform Yang that there will be no peace until he is at my feet.”

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2271

Coronal Santiago,

I hope you will understand that our bomber has been diverted to attempt saving the Peacekeeper base. I regret that I was inattentive and it may be too late, but at least your timely notification has allowed some intervention. However, as Pravin’s Pactmate I feel compelled to render assistance as I may. While we destroyed a Hive garrison advancing on the position we were, unfortunately, unable to prevent a Hive bomber from destroying one of the Peacekeeper’s last defenders.

Our two interceptors returned to your base and, true to form, Yang’s forces attacked your base. I was impressed on how well your soldiers withstood the two missile rover’s firepower. Their combination of superior technology and bravery is an example for all of us. They should not, however, be put at needless risk. I suggest that the interceptors be put on rotation and I request that your command staff recommend where the interceptors should focus their efforts.

Regards,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

One sector south of Fort Sparta, field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, Macedonia – SPARTA 2272

Santiago watched from the new fusion rovers drive pass the pressure tent that served as the field headquarters for Army Group Odin. The rovers were very impressive to see, equipped with the very latest weaponry, armor and anti-aircraft systems that Sparta could offer. This rover regiment was just the first of three units that were moving towards the front lines. This rover regiment had been assigned to Army Group Odin and another one would assign to Army Group Zeus. The third regiment would fall under her personal command and would serve as either a tactical reserve or if need be a shock attack force to break the lines. Santiago turned around and faced the small “knot” of military commanders standing around the portable map table. She looked down at the map and did not like what she saw.

“Major I am still uncomfortable with the deployment of your infantry support and artillery so far forward.” She walked over to the table and pointed at the area just north of Fort Sparta. The lead elements of Army Group Odin, a fusion armed infantry regiment and a missile artillery battery had been deployed along a rocky ridgeline.

“Colonel both units have excellent defensive positions and have dug in along the rocky ridgeline. If the Hive rover regiment attacks that defensive position they will take heavy casualties while our forces should come through with minimal losses.” Major Mitchell replied quickly.

“Understood, if you know your men can hold then that is all I need to hear. What now concerns me is this advance from the east.” Santiago flicked some controls and the holo-map moved to an area just south and east of Firebase 112. Several Hive infantry missile regiments were moving west. “What I am afraid of is if Army Group Zeus gets pinned down defending Firebase 112 we will not have enough forces to cover the advance.”

“Colonel, if I may?” Captain Rogers, the commander of the air wings in Macedonia interjected. “If I order my fighters to attack the infantry to the east that should give Army Group Zeus the ability to maneuver and cover the right flank of the assault.”

“I agree with Captain Rogers Colonel and if the Morgan fighters can continue their operations of providing general air cover and support we should be fine.” Major Mitchell added.

Santiago thought carefully for a few minutes about the situation. What troubled her the most was that not all of the attack elements of either Army Group where in position yet. If Yang took advantage of the situation and hit them as each unit arrived at the front neither army group would be in shape to launch the attack. However, if they moved quickly as Major Mitchell advised and had done by moving his infantry forward they might catch the Hive forces on the road and destroy them in the same way.

“Okay, proceed as planned for now. Unless the tactical or strategic picture would change we will continue as is.” Santiago turned around again and stepped back to the window to watch the last of the rovers pass by the command tent. What troubled her again was the lack of more troops or equipment. Yang seemed to be building more and more troops and the Spartan war machine had yet to even come close yet to matching the production levels. Even with the new Nessus Prime space production platforms the Spartans were still having production problems. Santiago had ordered, or as he corrected her, requested that she meet with the production planner and supervisors to develop a plan to increase production.


In orbit above Chiron, Spartan Nessus Prime manufacturing facility, SPARTA 2272

The meeting with Pro-Consul Mannsfield had just finished and the Pro-Consul and his team of advisors had just left in the first shuttle. The remaining group of production supervisors had to wait in the holding area until the Pro-Consul’s shuttle had left and there’s could dock.

“Since we are alone I wanted to say something that I am sure the rest of you are thinking.” Chief production supervisor Reynolds of Hero’s Waypoint slowly stood up so that he did not launch himself towards the ceiling. The Pro-Consul had ordered them all, from all over the Spartan Federation, to come up to Nessus Prime to see the efficiency of the automated plant and then have a meeting to discuss improving their production levels. “Lets be honest here and with each other. We all understand the importance of increasing production, especially military production, by if we adopt the plan as the Pro-Consul suggest it would most assuredly effect us or should I say our production facilities in a negative manner.”

“I agree with Reynolds!” Chief production supervisor Childs responded. “The Pro-Consul’s plan will increase the speed of production but it would then decrease our bottom line and most importantly our bonuses. In order to build equipment faster he wants us to produce basic “frames” and then send them on to other production facilities that would then complete the production process. We would also be required to distribute funding that Director Boothe allocated us, to these other facilities to complete the production process. I for one do not welcome the idea of decreased funding for my facility because I have to give it another plant or military production team. Decreased funding will reduce the bonuses they my management team and I receive”

“Yes, Childs is right. In time we would loose our control and funding and that is something I do not want to happen so I purpose the following. First, we can partially adopt the process the Pro-Consul wants but we apply it only to the production of aircraft. Second, we agree here that any “sub-contracting” for the additional enhancements that have to be done on the planes are only minor ones and that we keep them within our group here. Third, all other military production items, guns, ship and rovers we keep as is for now. I had anticipated this move by the Pro-Consul and I contacted our friends within the military who have a stake in the current arrangement as well. All of them want to continue getting the very best equipment possible with all of the most advanced enhancements so they will support our initiative today.” Reynolds finished with a smile on his face.

“And what if Santiago finds out about this?” Several of the other supervisors asked in worried tones.

“You have to be kidding me!” Reynolds fired back, his smile vanishing. “The only way Santiago would find out is if one of you here told her. The entire industrial/military system is so vast and so complex not even I understand it all. No one fully can grasp the complexities of the system that has developed in Sparta. I suppose if one of those specialists from Morgan Conglomerate came in and studied the system for a year or so he might “uncover” things but I doubt that would ever happen. Santiago is in Macedonia and she is fighting a war and as long as she is there killing Hive soldiers that is fine for us all. The longer the war continues the better for us all I can assure you and as long as production does not get to great then the war will go on for some time. Let us be clear that once the Hive has been put down we will be out of jobs. And I can tell you this that our friends in the military have no interests at all in seeing this war end either. None of them want to go back to just hunting mind worms and endless drills.”

Many of the men and women in the room nodded in agreement. Reynolds would have to send some sort of gift to the Pro-Consul because if he had never called this meeting he would never had been able to get the plan agreed upon by everyone at once. Yes, it had been a good meeting after all.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2272

Dear Coronal,

I have attached, as a gesture of respect, our files on Photon/Wave Mechanics. This technology came as something of a surprise, but it is eminently useful. Among other things it will allow construction of military armor factor 5, a significant improvement over silksteel armor. I know that Spartan military production is unmatched and that, if you chose to, you can produce new military units without the standard prototyping costs that makes it prohibitive for other less apt factions.

You will note that our interceptor destroyed a silksteel missile rover, and is providing cover for your defenses near Hive territory. The other Morganite interceptor stayed at base so it can alternate attack and/or blocking actions. Our bomber, sadly, was not able to engage the Hive forces attacking the Peacekeeper city. Their bomber prevented it, and due to this I have diverted an interceptor on its way to the front to that theatre. The bomber was diverted to avoid artillery bombardment. Our bombers and interceptors are unarmored, which decreases their cost but makes them rather vulnerable to artillery when at a base. Most of the Hive artillery lost to the single Peacekeeper impact artillery – a singular effort almost worthy of a Spartan. The bomber will return next year and exact suitable vengeance to defend the Peacekeepers while they recover. The interceptor may join them. Never fear, though – more interceptors are on the way. On average on leaves Morganite territory every year bound for your lands.

Warmly,
Director Morgan

[Hydro]

Four sectors north of Fort Sparta along a rocky ridgeline overlooking a Hive base, Macedonia – SPARTA 2273

“Colonel when do you plan on giving the order to attack?” Captain Longstreet asked.

Santiago did not reply. The two of them had been standing for some time on the ridgeline observing the Hive city to the north. She knew it was full of Hive soldiers and aircraft. Major Mitchell had issued orders for Army Group ODIN to move north and occupy the ridgeline she now stood on. To the east was the main north/south road that Hive soldiers had used to attack the Spartan front lines. Now any Hive troops moving south would have to pass by their position and pay a toll in blood. What still concerned Santiago was the lack of heavy rover support. The three rover regiments were moving northwards and the first regiment would link up by next turn but until that happened they lacked the offensive punch needed cut their way into the Hive city. She needed those rovers and she needed more infantry. Two infantry units and one artillery unit were not going to cut it.

“No captain I am not.” She lowered the mag-glasses and turned to leave. “I see no reason at this point to expose our position to the enemy. He does not know where we are since they lack any advanced sensors to detect our presence at this range. So unless he sends troops south in force along that road over there or aircraft to scout our position I see no reason until the armor gets on line to risk an engagement.” Santiago began to walk back to our headquarters with Longstreet in tow.

“Colonel I agree with your assessment but the troops are ready to go now.” Longstreet replied while they passed through the first line of defensive positions that were filled with Spartan soldiers.

“Captain I can not agree with you more but I will not risk our troops on an attack when I can not see the advantage. In a few more turns all the armor will be here ready to roll. In that time our fighters can screen the area then help cover our attack. Combined arms that is the key in this war: infantry, artillery, armor and air power all combined to smash the Hive resistance.” Santiago reached the bottom of the hill and walked over to her command tent. Her elite bodyguards stationed at the doorway snapped to attention. Santiago turned back to face Longstreet before entering. “Captain when the time is right I will lead the attack myself but I will do so while in command of my own heavy rover regiment.”

Longstreet watched as Santiago walked into command tent and wondered for the first time if the war itself was more important than victory.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2273

Coronal Santiago,

Morganite scientists continue to surprise me. Imagine my shock when they presented me with the specifications for Nanominiaturization and, with it, specifications for a new military vehicle – the hovertank. While this is of some interest to us, and we will pursue prototyping very soon, it is quite obvious that your people can put this valuable technology to good use. As such I am forwarding the specifications to you, pre-approved. If you chose to use them I will be delighted.

It looks like the Morganite bomber and interceptor will be able to take the pressure off the Peacekeeper base that is being attacked by the Hive. Already we’ve destroyed an plasma infantry missile units at its gates, and a missile artillery. Near your northern front our interceptor has taken your lead and attacked the Hive defenders at the base you seem to be advancing upon. The Interceptor took grievous damage, but the base is now closer to Spartan occupation.

Two more interceptors have left Morganite territory this year. More are on the way. I only wish there were a more efficient method of transporting war material across such vast distances.

Regards,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field Headquarters of Army Groups ODIN and ZEUS, two sectors north of Fort Sparta - SPARTA 2274


Director Morgan,

I must offer a most welcome thank you for the transfer of the special armor and specifications on hover tanks. With these technologies our troops will outclass any Hive soldier in the field by orders of magnitude.

With the advent of your gift I have decided that it is appropriate that we build on this deed and work out further negotiations. I have asked Pro-Consul Mannsfield and Lt. Colonel Carlos Sanchez to fly to your capital and begin immediate negotiations for any additional technology or exchanges. The forces that I am leading will soon recapture and capture several ex-Peacekeeper bases and Hive bases. I hope, as agreed to earlier, to turn these over to Pravin Lal. However, Pravin is still nursing old wounds but perhaps you might try to work things out.

Please inform your air commanders in Macedonia that the Spartan offensive will begin in two turns. Their planes should provide direct ground assault support as their first mission object and if need by air cover to protect against the few remaining Hive war planes.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Spartan Federation of Free Cities, Macedonia

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2274

The Ministers sat, their flowing robes rustling only slightly.

There were three dull booms as the barrister precisely let his ceremonial rod rise and then fall, impacting on the gleaming floor.

“All rise!” he cried. “The Right Honorable Prime Minister Rothchild!”

All eyes turned as Prime Minister Rothchild, resplendent in his gold robes, entered the Parliament. He paced to his high dais with a deliberate gate. Two attendants materialized to help pull the ornate throne-like chair of state away from his green felt topped table, and then at his signal pushed it up to him. Only then did the Prime Minister look up at the expectant crowd.

“I call the 174th Parliamentary Assembly to order,” he said. “The executive session of the Special Appropriations Commission is in session. I would like to recognize Director Morgan, who has graciously agreed to attend this meeting and answer the body’s questions.” He inclined his head toward the Director, who was in his customary navy blue suit, although this one seemed to shimmer in the iridescent light that permeated the chamber. It was not nearly as garish as the Minister’s attire, but it gathered no less attention. Winks of light refracted off his embedded cuff links, and his diamond encrusted buttons, each of which was flanked by inlayed blue jade.

“Thank you, Ministers,” he said. “It is an honor to attend this august chamber.”

“The Ministers have many questions. Are you ready to receive them?”

“I am,” the Director said.

“Of late,” a corpulent woman to the left of Rothchild said, “this Parliament has witnessed unprecedented gifts to other factions.”

“Our allies,” Morgan interjected so smoothly that it didn’t even break her slow verbal stride.

“Such as multiple technologies to the warlike Spartans,” she continued with a sniff.

Morgan intervened again. “Most astute of you, Madam. The technologies were given to our allies the Spartans to assist them against their endless battle with Chairman Yang. Our gifts have been armor, so that their soldiers can be better defended against Yang’s screaming hordes, and a new military chassis, the hovertank. Once developed the Spartans will put this to much better use than we ever could.”

”Yes,” she said. Her intonation indicated she was less than impressed. “However, there was no quid pro quo, Director. The fruit of our superior abilities has bought us nothing. This body would suggest that the Director is too free with his boons, and not properly considerate of upon whom they are bestowed.”

“Madam, I can think of no one more worthy than Coronal Santiago. She has been locked in a death struggle against Yang for fifty years. We are both enemies of Chairman Yang, and it was Santiago’s misfortune to be continuous with his peoples. I would remind this Parliament of our extremely profitable trade we have with the Spartans, and that this level of harmony can only be maintained if we assist them in their efforts. Hence, we allocate, as approved by this Parliament, the production of aircraft to assist in their efforts, and as seems appropriate gifts of technology. This is a mutually beneficial relationship. I would argue that it is not ‘gifting’ at all, but the exchange of commodities between friends.”

The large woman was silent. Minister Braybandea spoke up, “But what of the audacious extortion of energy from our Pact Sister Lady Skye? Is it true she demanded over 900 megacredits of energy, under veiled threat?”

“Yes, that is true. Lady Skye was most upset with us, and was at the point of breaking our Pact. I would remind the Parliament that our trade with the Gaians is almost as great as our trade with the Spartans. Moreover, Lady Skye has made few demands or requests of us. Instead of extortion I prefer to think of this exchange as an encouragement to maintain friendly relations.”

“For how long, Director,” Braybandea interrupted. “She was less than polite: seething might be more accurate.”

“That is unknown, Minister,” Morgan replied. “Nothing is certain on Chiron, and we must nurture our friends as we can. We are in an unusual situation. We are pacted with every faction except the Hive. This leads to a flowering of trade and commerce, which is, frankly, good for business. Fraying relations with any faction could strain this happy situation, and I trust this Parliament can see the advantages in maintaining the peace, if for no other reason than to improve our economic progress.”

“Well answered,” Prime Minister Rothchild said, cutting off debate. “Now, let us turn to domestic issues…”

*~*~*~*

Private Conference room of Nwabudike Morgan, Morgan Conglomerate – SPARTA 227 5

Lt. Colonel Sanchez hated waiting pure and simple. Pro-Consul Mannsfield sat next to him but he was in talking to one of his aides who was sitting to his left. Sanchez had not brought any of his staff with him with the exception of his bodyguard who dutifully stood behind him near the door. Mannsfield had met with several of Morgan’s top deputies and he had even had several meetings with the Prime Minister but Sanchez knew where the real power was at and this was the only meeting he knew would be of any importance. Santiago had given him some clear instructions and he was going to carry them out with or without the Pro-Consul.

The doors along the far wall opened up and in walked Director Morgan with a small army of aides. Everyone stood up and general introductions were made and then everyone took their seats. Sanchez watched closely those who sat next to Morgan figuring that these most be his most trusted aides. To Morgan’s right side a very attractive young woman sat down and another one to his left. It was clear that the woman to his right was the brain of the two while the other one had other more intimate functions.

“I want to welcome our most valued partners the Spartans to this meeting and I know that it will be profitable for both of us.” Morgan opened the meeting with this general comment and then sat down.

Pro-Consul Mannsfield stood up and adjusted his tunic. “Thank you Director Morgan and I want to thank everyone on your staff and in your government that has made our stay most enjoyable. My meetings with the Prime Minister were most productive and I was informed prior to this meeting that he has agreed to expanding our trade relations and the new exchange rates.” Mannsfield sat down with a very pleased expression on his face.

Morgan looked over at Sanchez and smiled at him. Sanchez immediately understood that this was now the real meeting the true purpose of this trip.

“Director Morgan as you are aware I am sure Colonel Santiago just three days ago saw an opportunity to strike at the old Peacekeeper base just north of Firebase 112. Just earlier this morning the Colonel captured the city and destroyed all resistance within and around the city, it is now in our hands.” Sanchez waited for the small uproar that broke out amount the attendees. Several of Morgan’s junior aides began to type in instructions on their P.A.Ds while Mannsfield was quickly trying to get his aides to confirm his statement. Sanchez waited a few more minutes for the room to become quiet. “The Colonel expects a counterstrike from Yang almost immediately so we will need all of your attack planes to support our defense. As soon as Yang’s counter attack is defeated the Colonel will launch a new offensive to re-claim the remaining Peacekeeper cities that are under Yang’s control. During this offensive the Colonel will require that all of your planes provide ground and air support to the east to keep Yang from attacking our bases while we are operating in the west. Once we complete the recapture of all the old Peacekeeper bases they will be returned to Lal with the exception of Fort William McHenry, Firebase 112 and Fort Sparta. In compensation, Colonel Santiago will “gift” all Hive bases captured north and east of Fort William McHenry to Pravin Lal. All bases south of Fort William McHenry will become members of the Spartan Federation. Colonel Santiago would also request that you send some form of guidance, military guidance to Lal since he is wasting good men in the south in some vain attempt to do battle with Yang. His forces have no real chance of inflicting any harm on Yang. The Colonel feels that his forces would be of better in the days to come in providing garrison duties for the cities he will soon have returned to him. Lastly, though we do not ask it of you’re formally but the economic burden of this war is great and any economic assistance would of great value.” Sanchez finished and waited for Nwabudike Morgan to respond.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Conglomerate, MY 2276

Morgan smiled broadly. “I am delighted with your plans, and fully support them. I am recommending that the Morganites immediately grant the Spartans 500 megacredits, and since none of my recommendations have been refused to date you may be assured that this will come to pass. I am also impressed with your strategy since it allows optimal use of the Morganite interceptors and bombers that are within the area. Already one interceptor will be able to assist, and others will show up in that theatre very soon.

“It seems that the last few years of offensive action at the lone Peacekeeper base that was severely threatened is now not in such peril. One of those aircraft will be diverted as soon as possible to aid in your blocking offensive strategy.

“Mr. Mannsfield and Mr. Sanchez, please convey to Coronal Santiago my sincere congratulations on this audacious plan. We are only too happy to assist you as you reduce the Hive threat and, in doing so, restore to Pravin some of his holdings or compensation for holdings lost. I will do my best to have Pravin study your efforts to improve his military mind, but would recommend that no bases near the front line be transferred to his ownership. Pravin has few resources and may not be able to marshal those he has in time if attacked. Moreover, there may be Hive units lurking, waiting for a weak moment to attempt to retake what the Chairman has claimed.

“I wish you every success, gentlemen. And I hope our part in this will aid you in your efforts.”

*~*~*~*

Command center, Fort William McHenry, Macedonia – SPARTA 2276

Santiago watched from the observation tower that was connected to the command center far below the last of the Spartan soldiers entering the main gates to the base and now she dreaded the idea of returning down below. These Hive bases were filthy pits of human misery and each one of them that was captured she was repulsed by the state they were in. No one could ever say a Spartan base was loaded with luxuries but on the other hand they were clean, orderly and the people were healthy. Santiago hit the lift control button and the pad she had been standing on began to descend down into the base towards the command center. Once again she took comfort in how fortunate she was that as she conquered each base the advanced command and control teams that “tagged along” could immediately establish a link to the main system at Fort Saratoga thus giving her immediate access to a first rate command system. Without this system she knew for sure that she would be lost without it and the Spartan hopes for the war. After a few minutes the lift came to a stop and standing there waiting for her was Major Mitchell, the commander of Army Group ODIN.

“Colonel, glad you finally decided to rejoin us” Mitchell smiled for a few seconds then went back to his normal stern look. “We just got this in from G-3 and it looks like the bulk of Yang’s forces that were garrisoned in the city to the west have left.” Mitchell handed her the report as she left the lift and walked towards the holo-map table.

“Major anytime I can get some fresh air I plan on taking it, rank sometimes does have its rewards.” She stopped at the holo-map table and keyed in the latest intelligence update and sure enough the bulk of the Hive troops had left. Most of the troops that had left were conscripts armed with simple assault rifles, cannon fodder.

“We can only assume that they are coming here, right Colonel?” Mitchell asked as he zoomed in on the area around Fort William McHenry.

“Yes, if Yang has moved them towards Lal we would know by now but it looks like he is coming at us. Is your group deployed yet for defensive operations?”

“No, not yet, we will be ready in 72 hours. I have tasked the commanders of each company to speed things up but we are still having problems clearing things out so we can operate quickly. Right now it’s just a warren of tunnels that dead end or simply have no end. I suppose it made it easy for Hive security to control any riots since there was now direct access to any place quickly. My engineers are blasting away to open up more access.” Mitchell keyed into the control pad and a layout of the base was displayed showing the new routes and defensive strong points.

“Good work Major, keep them at it. Once we beat of the expected counter-attack I intend to leave her as quickly as possible and storm that base to the west. This is a blitz krieg war now and I intend to take out his production capacity as quickly as possible.” Santiago turned and walked back to the lift.

“As soon as the engineers get those passages opened have them fix the ventilation as quickly as possible.” She hit the lift button and up she went again.

[Hydro]

Near Hive territory, MY 2276

Morgan Interceptor Two pulled up from a steep dive. The smoldering wreckage of a Hive artillery infantry issued a final explosion and then simply ceased to exist.

“Damage?” Marins asked.

“Checking,” his copilot said. “Minimal. Nothing we can’t deal with. Wait what’s this,” she said. Then she paused. “Look to the east. What do you see?”

“Movement. Lots of movement,” he replied. “Infantry! All over the place! Good god! They’re crawling out of the wood work!” pilot Marins almost yelled.

“Now you know what the Spartans have been dealing with,” copilot Anderson said.

An almost endless stream of artillery and infantry was pouring in from the east. They had destroyed one artillery unit, pathetically unshielded, but two more took its place.

Marins’ face was grim. “Call all Morganite aircraft and tell them to get their butts over here - on the double. Santiago is going to need lots of help.”

*~*~*~*

Command center, Ft. William McHenry, Macedonia – SPARTA 2277

Santiago waited patiently as the technician completed the last check on the communication system. She looked around the antiquated control room and felt the same sense of disbelief she had when she first entered the ex-Peacekeeper/Hive base. The Hive had not changed a single thing or updated any of the equipment since the day they took control, nearly 50 turns ago. Any modifications they had been done could only be seen in the bowels of the city, in the manufacturing “warrens” they had built or a more accurate term would be slave pits.

“Colonel we are all set and I have already made contact with the Peacekeepers and they are getting Pravin Lal now.” The technician reported as he stood up and waited for further orders.

“Thank you Senior Technician Ross, you are dismissed.” Santiago pushed her chair closer to the screen as the technician left the room. Ross was an excellent technician and she had issued orders that he and his team would be assigned to her staff for the duration of the war. The screen began to get brighter and then the face of Pravin Lal appeared.

“What do you want Santiago?” Lal asked in very brusque and sour manner.

“Its not what I want but what I want to give to you. Per the agreement I made some time ago and recently modified with Director Morgan I am returning your old base, UN Education Center back to you. My forces just today captured the base and eliminated all resistance here, it is yours.” Santiago eased back in the chair and enjoyed the luck of disbelief that broke out over Lal’s face. She could also hear in the background many voice suddenly arguing.

“Is this a trick? Director Morgan sent me some time ago a copy of the “agreement” but I just thought it to be another hoax another one of your cruel jests to mock me. If you are willing to return to me UN Education Center why not return to me the other bases you captured?” Lal asked indignantly.

“Lal the bases we have are now our bases. I have no intention of “giving them back”. The tactical and strategic situation dictates that those bases remain under my control, Spartan control. Sparta has invested a great deal of mega-credits to build up those bases so they can contribute to the war effort and the Spartan Federation. I doubt you would even have the mega-credits to buy back the smallest of your ex-cities that we now control. However, that is beside the point. As the Spartan army moves forward, beyond the area we now claim as our sovereign territory and liberate more of your ex-cities and Hive cities we will turn them over to you as per the agreement.” Santiago knew she had a let a little too much of her frustration spill out of her when she replied. The nerve of Pravin Lal to try and dictate terms to her when she could have easily captured and claimed all of the Peacekeeper cities in and around Macedonia and Sparta. However, the bottom line was that Sparta had enough problems trying to handle the new bases it had captured from Yang let alone the ones they planned on keeping and still try to fight a war. Simply put she knew she needed Lal to manage some of these bases so that her troops could continue the war.

“Alright Santiago if this is true send me the computer codes now for the cities security systems and power plant control.” Lal fired back.

“Just one minute.” Santiago had anticipated this and immediately sent the file to Lal. She watched his face as the data began to arrive and then he turned to see if the codes did unlock the systems and place them under his control. After a few more minutes Santiago noticed that several of the old screens began to light up and then data began to flicker across them and then they died again.

“So it seems you are telling the truth. My aides confirmed your statement and we now have full control over the cities systems. I am issue orders to have troops and support staff sent immediately. I will send a request to Director Morgan to station some of his warplanes there. I will give you 72 hours to leave the city and remove your troops to your own territory.” Lal seemed to have grown more confident. “However, we will take no action against your soldiers even if they do not leave as planned. What are your plans, if I may ask?”

“Pravin I intend to move northwards and take the Hive base there and then move west. If all goes as planned you should have move bases under your control shortly. However, I cannot “cut” my supply lines so I will turn over to you bases to you only if I can maintain a supply line. I expect that as I conquer the last of the western bases those will be the next ones I turn over to you followed by the ones to the east. Then my forces will move to the south. Now unless you wish to form an alliance so we can work together I might modify my plans otherwise I must see to my forces first and interests as well.” Santiago waited for a few seconds as Pravin listened to someone near him then he spoke.

“Colonel let me blunt. I do not trust you or your people. I cannot fathom the true purpose of your actions and the truth of them has yet to be revealed to me. I will not forgive you for the condition you returned my son to me in. Even with the best medical science we have he still looks older than me and his health is not good at all. I still remember the bitter retreat and deaths of my citizens during the long march from my shining city. So no, not now and perhaps not ever will I ever enter into a treaty or pact with you!” Lal’s face was red and his eyes had become inflamed with anger.

Santiago waited for a few minutes not saying a word. The pompous ass! He was a fool and now he blames me for being a fool. “Pravin your feelings aside it will be Spartan soldiers that will fight and die to recover your precious cities and it will be Spartan soldiers that will keep you in line. Sparta is the super-power on the southern hemisphere and now the foremost leader in military power. You can either learn to live with us or not live at all, just ask Yang how he likes things now. It is better to be our friend than our enemy. Colonel Corazon Santiago out!” Santiago hit the off button and quickly stood up. “Okay, lets bug out of her Major Mitchell!”

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2277

Morgan looked over the tactical display that showed the chaos at the Spartan-Hive war fronts.

“Santiago sure made a mess of things by giving UN Education Agency back to Pravin,” he said to himself.

A Morganite interceptor had been diverted to the newly acquired base, and the bomber and interceptor that were defending the other UN base were assisting. What they found is what Morgan feared: hordes of Hive plasma defenders and missile infantry hiding in the fungus. It was almost like a trap, tempting Santiago to overextend herself and then punishing her for it.

It had worked – to a point. Santiago had no intention of taking this bait, only of giving it to Pravin. Some gift. The base was starving, so no defenders could be built as the workers abandoned the factories. It would take everything possible for unarmored Morganite aircraft to fend off the hordes of Hive infantry that were a mere two sectors away.

Morgan nodded grimly. Well, so be it. We will defend Pravin’s new base until he gets it operational, and in the meantime Santiago will have to look after herself. The side benefit is that Santiago would be clear of Hive forces to her west. The disadvantage is that she would have to deal with the swarms of Hive from the east by herself, and that would be difficult.

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, 2 sectors south of Hive base Socialism Tunnels – SPARTA 2278

Santiago watched the last of the Hive pilots file into the room before making her announcement. All of them were dirty flight suits and some had some bandages covering various cuts. The entire squadron had been shot down quickly and with little loss to her air corps and as soon as the last Hive pilot had ejected from his plane she had ordered search teams to recover the pilots.

“I am Colonel Corazon Santiago and I want to commend you on fighting bravely but the war is now over for you unless any of are willing to join with us and fight for Sparta.” Santiago knew that it was unlikely that any of them would agree but she always asked. Pilots were had to find and hard to train so even Hive pilots could be used, if they were willing to join and risk their lives and families. Yang was a shrewd judge of character and any position that required special skills that person always was selected for that position primarily on the grounds that the person had love ones back at home that he could use as hostages.

Santiago saw that none of them agreed so she waved her hands and the guards removed them. She glanced down at the latest combat results as they began to blink across her P.A.D. and she was please. Major Mitchell was tearing into the Hive with relish and gusto and he had destroyed all of the advancing reinforcements before they had reached the Socialism Tunnels. More planes were in route to Ft. William McHenry along with another fusion rover regiment. The battle could not be going any better so it was now time to meet with the Major Mitchell and determine how he planned on taking Socialism Tunnels from Yang. Santiago stood up and put her combat helmet on and fixed her face mask into place. Her Fusion rifle was hoisted onto her shoulder and out the door she went.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2277

“I must commend you, ladies and gentlemen. Although it was delayed it is well worth the wait. Your advances are Advanced Ecological Engineering will aid us significantly in our efforts to subdue this world to our will. It is unfortunate that the other factions were unwilling to trade technology with us. I would be have been willing to cut an advantageous deal, but that was not the case.”

Morgan turned to face the assembled scientists. “Your efforts will be implemented immediately. A program to upgrade all Morganite terraformers will begin immediately. Although it will be several years before all are upgraded, we should start seeing the fruits of this endeavor very soon. Again, I want to thank you all!”

The small group smiled and murmured their thanks. Then, after he had given them each a warm handshake, Morgan’s assistant ushered them from the room.

When they had left Morgan’s smile vanished. “I do not like being second rate. See to it that our scientific efforts are better applied.”

Morgan’s assistant nodded once, then she left the room.

Morgan got back to work.

*~*~*~*

Office of Mr. Tim Dowling, Director of Military Production facility #1, Sparta Command, Sparta – SPARTA 2279


Director Dowling could not believe his good luck this morning, almost everything seemed to be coming his way. The military liaison officer Captain Shields had informed him that a new design for the hover tank had just been completed by the planning and development group and they wanted to make an immediate change to the current hover tank regiment being built by his plant. The new design incorporated advanced electronic countermeasures along with anti-aircraft capability. It was a daunting system upgrade to a project that was already almost complete. But as the Captain had put the top brass wanted it done and so it had to be done. Why should he fight it? Simply put it would add another four turns of very lucrative military production time to this project making him all the more wealthy. The young Captain had also informed him that more hover tanks would be needed since the war was going very well and the Colonel needed more forces to hold new captured bases. Just last night the Captain reported the their great leader had captured a Hive base which would nearly cut the Hive nation in two. Only one more base stood in their way. However, more troops and equipment were needed something he was very willing to oblige. Dowling knew that so long as his factory floors were full of military procurement orders he would be well taken of. However, if other voices had their way the next round of military expenditures might not find their way to his factory.

Dowling hit the intercom button. “Delores I want to hold a meeting next week at that Morgan run recreation center that was just recently built here. I want to invite the senior military aides at the procurement office and make sure you let the Morganites plan the food and recreation, they seem to be much better than us at these things than us.”

“Yes Director, I will take care of right now.” The line went dead.

Director Dowling had heard rumors that his counterpart over at Stellar Productions did not get the next proposed non-military production order, some sort of “super” former that could halve the amount of time required to build a farm sector or plant a forest. No, he wanted to make sure that another order of top of the line hover tanks was coming his way.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2179

Coronal Santiago,

Congratulations on the stunning gains you have made against the Hive. This is particularly impressive given the huge military complex that the Good Chairman has advanced, and continued to throw at your soldiers. It is clear, however, that his military power is waxing. Although he may have numbers, the superior technology and training of your army and air force has been telling. Just this last year one of my interceptor pilots sent a glowing review on how one of your antiaircraft infantry fended off the attacks of two missile bombers. Two! Most impressive.

I also noticed with some satisfaction that you people have shifted much of their production to infrastructure. This can only be good news since it will benefit your people and, indirectly, mine. As Pactmates what benefits one will benefit the other. This shift is also an indication of the level of satisfaction you evidently have with your current military forces. Not that I can blame you – the are doing well indeed!

Please convey my gratitude to your men and women of your army and air force. They are fine examples of humanity and the cause we all strive for.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field hospital of the 3rd heavy fusion rovers two sectors north of the recently captured Hive base Socialism Tunnels, Macedonia – SPARTA 2280


“Colonel I have UN High Commissioner Pravin Lal on the line and says he wants to talk to you immediately.” Captain Longstreet waited as one of the field doctors pulled out the shredder bolt that had lodged in Santiago’s thigh. Even though she was given a local sedative there was still some pain.

“Alright put him through.” She said through gritted teeth.

Longstreet pulled out the headset and put it on her head and then activated the line connecting the headset to the main communication center. “Okay link up the call now.”

“Santiago, Santiago are you there?” Pravin’s irritated voice barked at her.

“Yes, dammit I am here what was so urgent?” She fired back.

“You recently captured another Hive base, on that was promised to me. However, you did not call me giving me possession of it, I demand to know why?” He yelled again.

“Because you idiot the base is not secure yet. Also, if I give you the base I essentially cut off my supply routes.”

“That is not my concern. Per the agreement you made with Morgan that base is mine and I want it now!”

Santiago took a few deep breaths the clear her mind.

“Okay, since there was no time table set-up as to “when” you would get any city I captured I do not see how I have failed to live up to any agreement. So if you want the city now I need something in return.” Santiago hissed a bit at the end because one of the medics had poured a antiseptic fluid into the wound.

“What do you have in mind?” Lal barked back.

“If you want the city now then I want your city that sits on the southern coastal areas of Macedonia. It is no longer a viable city for you to maintain since you do not have a direct line of supply. If you want the Hive base now then I get your southern polar city.” Santiago waited as Lal put her on old. As she waited the medics began to cauterize the wound and seal the leaking blood vessels. Suddenly the line became active.

“Agree Santiago. I am sending you the codes now and I have issued orders to have the commander clear out the base within the year. I expect to hear from you within the hour. Lal out.”

Santiago pulled the headphones off and threw them at Longstreet.

“Order all commanders to report to me once there has been a change of strategy. Also inform Lt. Colonel Sanchez to fly to my location at once I need to talk with him.” Santiago turned to the lead medic. “Can you finish this now I have too much to do sitting here while you poke around, SEAL IT and get me patched up now!”

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2180

“We have absolute air supremacy in the Hive theatre,” Air General McGrave stated. “Our effective airforce is significantly larger that that of the Spartans, and orders of magnitude more effective that that of the Hive. Moreover, the technological lead the Morganite and Spartan air force has is telling, and it is arguable that our lead in numbers and firepower are quickly reducing the Hive.”

“Santiago is pulling most of the weight,” Morgan stated.

“Yes, in terms of ground forces. It is a military axiom that airpower is useful for projecting force, but not for an occupying force. What we have done for Santiago is to free up her forces by controlling Hive movement by interdicting strategic areas, and frequent ground strikes against the backward Hive military.”

Morgan nodded. “When will our next wave of interceptors be entering the Hive theatre?”

“They are getting there now. We will have almost a dozen aircraft in the area soon. To this point Santiago has given us little direction on supporting her actions so we have had to stretch our wings, as it were. Frankly, I suspect she is testing us. So far I think we have preformed adequately.”

“Thank you for the status report, General. Please keep me apprised of future developments,” Morgan said.

General McGrave nodded to acknowledge his dismissal and left the room.

[Hydro]

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, two sectors north of Peacekeeper base Socialism Tunnels, Macedonia – SPARTA 2281

Longstreet waited patiently as Santiago keyed in the next set of orders. They had captured another Hive base and now the army needed new orders. The battle for the latest Hive base had been almost anti-climatic since many of the defenders had fled to the north and were hiding in a fungus field. The rovers swept into the city and then turned north and wiped them out.

“Here Longstreet.” Santiago handed him the P.A.D and then pulled on her boots.

“Colonel, we are moving east? I thought that the plan was to roll up all of the old Peacekeeper bases to the west?” Longstreet asked in a concerned manner.

“Yes, but are army is getting bled white with these constant battles. We need to regroup and consolidate our forces again. Once we take the city to the east that will essentially give Pravin a very good base of operations to work with. With Morgan helping him he should be able to wipe out the garrisons from the remaining old Peacekeeper cities. Once we capture the cities to the south then we can move north again and help if need be but the best thing we can do now is to keep hacking away at his strength and that strength is to the south. Send those orders as soon as possible, one more campaign to the north then we shift operations to the south and Army Group ZEUS will take control at that point. Major Mitchell and Army Group ODIN will take up residence at Ft. William McHenry and serve as our shield to the north.” Santiago finished putting on her boots and stood up.

“Yes Colonel.” Longstreet followed her out of her pressure tent and was once again amazed at the sudden changes that Santiago could make. So far each of those changes had lead them to victory so perhaps he should not be so critical but it was hard to think the sometimes Santiago was waging this war for reasons other then the ones printed on the paper.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2281

“Changing from a Free Market to a Green economy has been challenging for some of the Honorable Ministers of this body. Your misgivings are significant and real, and rooted in the fact that we have used Free Market to power our economy for over a hundred years. It has brought us the prosperity we have now, and it should not be easily dismissed.

“This decision was now an easy one. There were a great many hated debates by the Board of Directors. In the end a few key advantages were identified to prompt our switch to a Green economic system.

“First, this will give us great efficiency, which will negate any penalties we might choose when allocating our funds. Under a Free Market system the energy production we robust, but the allocation of this energy caused waste when it went beyond an equal split between research and general revenue. I have been told that we can expect this bonus to directly impact our bottom line in terms of research and general revenue budgets.

“Second, we will no longer suffer social disruption due to military units being in the field. Previously this meant we were confined to building and fielding interceptors, but no more. Now more cost effective units can be built and distributed. Local bases will also be able to use their military units to maintain the peace, granting us better social stability in our cities.

“Third, we now are in more harmony with Planet. Previously we specifically sacrificed this for economic advantage. Now we can have our economic advantage and a greater understanding of Planet too. Native units will now no only be positively inclined to join our cause, but our far-flung bases need not fear a rogue mindworm attack. In fact they should welcome it, as strange as that may sound. A side benefit is that our relations with the Gaians, who value a Green economy above all else, will be augmented, and that will enhance our ability to maintain our Pact.

“Overall, our laboratory and economic production are almost that of a Free Market system after our switch to a Green economy. The sacrifice was small, and the benefits are marked. I hope you see the wisdom of this change and formally ratify it into law.”

Morgan looked up to the assembled delegates to gage their reaction. Many were obviously uncomfortable, and some hostile. More were positively inclined, or at least seemed to be receiving the news with a somewhat open mind.

To Morgan this was good. But if any delegate proved extremely difficult there was always the Black Folder; blackmail was an age-old institution, to be used when absolutely critical to advancing a necessary objective.

*~*~*~*

Command center, Fort Juno, Macedonia – SPARTA 2282

Commandant Sanchez walked into the small command center and looked around the room for a few minutes before the hosts of technicians and his staff would flood the place. It was all his, his first posting as Commandant.

“What do you think son?” Sanchez turned around and looked at his father.

Lt. Colonel Carlos Sanchez, military Governor of Macedonia and Federation council member walked into the room. Sanchez had allowed his staff to make the decision on whom to choose for this posting but there was none better than his son.

“The base is small, antiquated and it was built with no sense of defensive capabilities in mind, but its mine and I will make it a great place for our people to live and a strong contributor to the greater Spartan Federation.” Miguel finished and hugged his father. “How is mom?”

“She is well and sends her regards. You know to this day I still think that perhaps we Spartans might have made a mistake in adopting non-family policies. Look at us and you have to ask yourself why it wouldn’t work for everyone?” Carlos finished hugging his son and then looked him in the eye. “However, don’t forget that you are a Spartan and our duty is to the state first.”

“Carefully chosen words father. Do you suspect one of Santiago’s sneaks somewhere about?”

Carlos face changed very suddenly and it was not happy. “Look son I understand that many of the younger officers do not like the Colonel and see this war as a never ending bloodbath but Sparta is Santiago and Santiago is Sparta. Never forget that.”

“Well, then you have not been home much. I doubt she would even recognize Sparta Command or Iron Holm. Civilians outnumber citizens by nearly 10 to 1 and even though soldiers have the political power civilians are gaining more and more power and money than any ex-soldier. Soon I suspect many of the civilians will want political power as well.” Miguel replied.

Carlos looked at his son again and realized that much of what he said was true. Even though there was a strong cadre of “old timers” the younger generation never had to suffer as they did and to ask them to understand was pointless. “Son what would you have us do, surrender to Yang?”

“No father but he has offered us a truce nearly every year for nearly 15 turns, why not at least hear him out? Why should we continue to fight of cities that we only give away?”

“Well, if you must know that Santiago has changed her policy. We will take one more city and after that everything we capture will be ours. Lal should have enough resources and with Morgan’s help he can take the remaining cities himself.”

“But once again why not just make peace?”

Carlos looked at his son and he had no answer.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2282

Coronal Santiago,

The Morganite airforce is in full force and will only get more significant. Most of the Hive threat to new Peacekeeper bases is removed, and with more interceptors entering the theatre I would ask where you would like us to concentrate their efforts. A few planes will be kept in the north since there are two Hive (former Peacekeeper bases) there, but the rest are at your disposal. Currently they have been taking out Hive units and blocking roads. I assume this is helpful, but coordinating attacks might be more efficient.

I also notice you are having some trouble keeping Hive bases under control. This is understandable considering the Hive’s police state and the relatively liberal political state of the Spartans. I would suggest that a few inexpensive police units might solve your problem. Build on a unarmored scout they can be rush built in one turn, and they should help you keep many more of the newly liberated Hive citizens under control.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, former Hive base Manufacturing Warrens, Macedonia – SPARTA 2283

Director Morgan,

As you most probably know we have captured the last Hive city along the northern coastline of Macedonia. This action has effectively split the Hive nation in two. I intend to contact Pravin Lal as soon as he will receive a transmission from me and turn over, per our agreement, the two Hive bases that I have captured. This will bring the grand total of four bases returned to Pravin Lal. At this time the strategic situation dictates that Sparta must re-evaluate our near and far term military objectives. It is clear that Pravin Lal still harbors anger and resentment over past events. We can do no more than what we have done so far to change his mind on this matter. As a result we can no longer prosecute the war against the Hive in the west without having a strong supply route and a base of operations there and most importantly a strong ally versus what I am faced with now. We fully expect that once we return the bases to Pravin Lal he will order our troops to return to our territory effectively stopping our campaign in the west. It is the combined opinion that Sparta does not want to hold on to these Hive bases any longer than we have to since we do not want to expend any additional resources to build them up only to turn over them over to Lal.

With this being said the Spartan army of Macedonia will move east and south and capture the remaining Hive bases that are south of the east/west line that starts at Ft. William McHenry. Once these bases start to fall this should in effect cripple Yang’s war machine once and for all. There will be a few Hive bases to the far east, including his capital city and a few sea bases but that is all he will have left. In time Sparta might feel required to capture a few of these sea bases in order to open up the sea-lanes but that is a long-term goal.

Now that you know our tactical and strategic goals we can now address the question you asked of me in your last communication. What can the Morganite air force do to further the war effort? First, I would suggest that your fighters seek out and destroy any Hive aircraft so that we can maintain our joint air superiority. Second, since Sparta will not be prosecuting the war any further to the west I suggest that you assist Pravin Lal in defending his new bases from any further attacks from the remaining Hive bases there. Also, if possible assist Pravin Lal in any offensive operations against the Hive in the west. If we can maintain air superiority over the Hive the benefit helps all of us, not just Sparta. Lastly, if your pilots have find any targets of opportunity such as a Hive terraformers or rovers or infantry troops in the open they should try and destroy them. Sparta wishes to thank you for your support but we now feel that the military situation no longer requires joint military operations between the Morgan Confederation and Sparta. It has been difficult to incorporate your forces into our joint operations command structure so perhaps this is the best course of action. Even though we will no longer work in unison your planes and crews will still have access to our airdomes and service and support. If need be we might be required to operate in future joint military operations Sparta would stand willing to assist. When Pravin Lal sees fit to accept the new world order and join with the two great super powers then we should be able to assist in any future military operations with the Peacekeepers. However, until we can reach that stage of cooperation I cannot see any practical reason why I should ask my soldiers to suffer supply shortages because Pravin Lal does not want to help us to help him.

I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of Yang’s tyrannical rule. So this brings up another issue of importance, when or if do we stop the war? I have consulted with the Spartan council and they have left it to me if Sparta should continue the war until Yang is in chains or not. However, since this war is now being fought by a joint alliance of Spartan, Morganite and Peacekeeper forces the final choice is really not up to me alone. I will speak bluntly on this issue so that you will know my mind on this. First, if the consensus of the alliance is such that we stop the war before we take all of his bases Sparta will expect to be compensation for it since we have born the greater portion of this war. Regardless of the decision let me be clear that all of the Hive land bases south of the east/west line starting at Ft. William McHenry will be captured by Sparta. The question before us is do we leave any bases under Yang’s control or not. Do we allow him some small grouping of bases? I for one would prefer to bring him before you and the Chiron supreme council and answer for the crimes he has committed against humanity. However, once again, that decision is not mine alone to make. So to conclude my point if the alliance cannot make a decision I will make one for Sparta. We will take the cities we have already laid claim to and any future cities we capture will be disposed of per any previous agreements. All sea bases will captured by Sparta will remain Spartan.

I hope that this does clear up any questions you might have and I await your response.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Spartan Federation of Free Cities, Headquarters of Army Group ODIN.\

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2283

Coronal Santiago,

I fully support your strategic plan to pursue the war against the Hive to the east and south. This will put maximum pressure on Chairman Yang’s remaining holdings, which is where his chief strength is concentrated. His remaining bases to the north will eventually fall to Pravin, or at least they will be kept in check by the Morganite air force. Pravin, you may have noticed, has a strange reluctance to build defensive or offensive units, even when under grave threat. Thus, the various air wings will have to pick up the slack for Pravin.

Per your suggestion, the Morganite air force to the east and south will destroy targets of opportunity and will block roads, isolating bases to the greatest extent possible. Your comments on combined command and control are well taken, and we will assist in ground bombardment where we can if it seems your forces are ready to assault one of Yang’s bases. If you have any bases in mind please let the commanders of the air wings know – they may be able to assist in bombarding city-based forces due to their technological superiority.

Yang’s fate I leave in your hands. If he sees fit to surrender to you, then so be it. If he is so stubborn as to pursue the war to the bitter end then that is his choice, but that will hardly be a mark in his favor in his subsequent trial for crimes against humanity. I can hardly demand or even suggest that your people not keep the spoils of war. Hive bases are, in fact, not much of a prize since they have such poor infrastructure. With that in mind the Morganite Board of Directors has a proposal: to compensate the Spartan people the Morganites will gift the Spartans 500 megacredits for each Hive bases taken. As a good will gesture I have attached, pre approved, 500 megacredits. This should assist in securing these bases and building some basic infrastructure. The Board of Directors sees this as small compensation for the sacrifices your people have made for these many years in their war against the Hive.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Command center, Fort Saratoga, Macedonia – SPARTA 2284

Sanchez watched Colonel Santiago approach the entrance to the command bunker of Fort Saratoga. She was limping slightly from and he knew that it was due to the fact that her right knee had been nearly shattered to tiny pieces by a Hive shredder bolt. Her hair had more gray than he had ever seen before but her eyes still glowed with the same fire and tenacity as they always have.

“Good morning Colonel!” Sanchez and his staff snapped to attention as she approached. “It is good to have you back at Fort Saratoga.”

“Thank you Lt. Colonel Sanchez. It has been a long flight so I would prefer that we could be begin at once and then see how far we get.” Santiago walked pass Sanchez and through the open doors into the command center. Sanchez and his staff quickly followed after her.

The group of officers quickly made there way towards the command center. Santiago had not been back here for some time so she was amazed at all of the changes Sanchez had been able to achieve. As they turned the corner she noticed that main corridor had been lengthened and at the end of the corridor a very large and heavy steel door had been added which was guarded by a pair of very big guards in full plasma armor and fusion rifles.

“Lt. Colonel, did you move the command center down there?” Santiago asked as she stopped at what she thought was the entrance to the command center.

“No Colonel the command center is where it has always been. That down there is our special covert operations and intelligence center. We built it shortly after you left for the front. Its primary purpose is to serve as a command center for intelligence operations but we also train our covert operations agents there and it also serves as a base security and counter insurgency office.” Sanchez replied.

Santiago nodded her head to acknowledge his statement and then turned and entered the command center and walked over to the large holo-map table.

“Colonel as you can see from the map.” Sanchez had followed behind her then moved beside her as he stood by the table and flicked a few switches to activate the table. “It looks like Yang is pulling most of his elite forces back to this area here.” Sanchez highlighted an area to the east, a peninsula of land that at the far eastern tip sat Yang’s capital city. “It seems Yang has decided to cut his losses and try to hold us off here. All of his troops are moving to defend his capital. I have forwarded your plan to the High Command and they agree with your assessment and encourage any action you take. They agree that taking the base just to the east of Firebase 112 would cut off any further reinforcements from the south to Yang and allow us maneuver at will.”

Santiago stood silently for a few minutes thinking. Yes, this was the sign she had been waiting for. “Alright lets get to work. I want to see plans in detail as to how we accomplish this. I have already dispatched the 1st and 2nd heavy fusion rovers through the fungus fields to the east of Firebase 112 so now what else can we send?”

*~*~*!*

Morgan Industries, MY 2284

Coronal,

I have forwarded to you, pre-approved, the files for Probability Mechanics. This will allow your soldiers better armor and, more importantly, your cities will be able to build tachyon fields, which will significantly improve base defense, if you chose to build it.

I have also been advised that two Hive bases have been cleared of defenders. You armor should have little trouble securing these bases from the Good Chairman. A new wave of Morganite interceptors is arriving and they should be able so support any offensive activities.

Regards,
Director Morgan

[Hydro]

Command center, Fort Saratoga, Macedonia – SPARTA 2285

Director Morgan,

I must ask for your military assistance. It seems that the Commandant of Admiralty Base has been negligent in preparing a proper defense. Just hours ago a Hive missile foil launched a surprise attack and wiped out the garrison there. The base is now undefended. Your attack planes that are currently stationed at UN Education agency just 9 sectors to the east of Admiralty Base are the only forces that can intercept the Hive foil before it makes its final assault on the base. The Hive foil was heavily damaged in first attack so I am very confident that just one attack squadron would be more than sufficient to eliminate the threat.

Our army of Macedonia will soon capture two more Hive bases in the east. This should in effect eliminate any more threat from the Hive in this area. We will then move as quickly as possible to capture the remaining two bases along the far eastern shores of Macedonia and complete our military campaign. Once again I would wish to express my appreciation of your efforts in maintaining air superiority. It is most crucial at this stage in the war that we do not let slip our edge in this area. I would suggest that your planes continue to concentrate their efforts in destroying any of Yang’s planes either on the ground or in the air. Our own Spartan air corps can provide adequate close ground support in defeating any Hive ground units and support the attacks by our ground forces.

Lastly, I wish to thank you for any effort that you can make to help secure our sea base. It would be a grievous blow to me to see good Spartan civilians and citizens fall under the tyrannical rule of Yang. I have seen the horrible way in which he treats his people and I have no wish to see my people subjected to that level of cruelty.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Spartan Federation of Free Cities, Fort Saratoga


Santiago hit the send button and another wave of anger flashed through her. Damn that idiot Commandant at Admiralty Base. She hated having to ask for military assistance from Morgan especially over such a stupid military error. This situation should never been allowed to happen. The problem was that the High Command was not insuring that each base Commandant was taking the most appropriate measures possible to provide adequate base security. What made matters worse was the fact that she had decided to do an in depth review of base operations and it shocked her. Nearly all military production had been focused on building units of the war leaving next to nothing for building garrison units and what garrison units that had been built were done so on an ad hoc basis. In all the war had caused major production delays and problems. Some cities were supporting massive numbers of troops while others had none. It had become a nightmare. This new evidence only served to reinforce her firm belief that the war had to be brought to a quick conclusion one way or another. The sooner this war was done so that she could put Sparta back on track the better so it was time to unleash the dogs of war and end it once and for all.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2285

Coronal,

Our air force is only too happy to help where we can. As you predicted, our interceptor made short work of the damaged Hive missile foil. With your leave the interceptor will stay until a new Spartan defender is constructed, and the interceptor will make regular flights to make sure no Hive foil is lurking nearby since our unarmored interceptor would not do well if attacked within your base.

Our other interceptors have taken up advance positions near the two eastern bases you seem to be concentrating your forces against. Two military units and once civilian former were destroyed, but others quickly replaced them. Chairman Yang always seems to have more fodder for his war machine.

I wish your forces luck in their next campaign!

Director Morgan

*~*~*~*



Parade grounds of Sparta Command, Sparta Isles, SPARTA 2286

Santiago stood at attention as the first of the hover-tanks came into view. Here at last was the weapon she needed to complete the war. She had flown for several days to get her to take command of this new unit and train them as they rushed to the Hive/Spartan front lines. She had handpicked the central corps of officers and non-comm’s to staff this unique unit and she would command it. The first time she saw the tanks she had realized immediately that they were the key to victory against the Hive. These tanks had the strongest armor possible along with a shard energy cannon. The tanks also had the most advanced anti-air targeting system coupled with a fully computerized targeting system that could compensate for the fastest target. These would be the true beasts of the battlefield. She had organized the tank regiment into three companies along with a command company and she had named them the 1st heavy tank regiment, nicknamed the steel panthers. The speed at which these tanks could travel would allow them to quickly reach the front lines so it was important that they learn and train along the way.

“Colonel I am very impressed, very impressed indeed.”

Santiago turned her head slightly to the left where the voice came from, Mannsfield.

“It is unfortunate at this time that we can not build more but Sparta Command needs more energy and minerals resources if we intend to build tanks for the future. The production plants here are already working on the terra-former and supply transport but as soon as we can get them build we can then re-examine the possibility of building more of these tanks.” Mannsfield finished as the first tank began to pass by the reviewing stands. All of the officers and citizens stood at attention while a few civilians remained seated.

“Mannsfield for now the two tank regiments should be enough as long as you do not cut into the other production items such as the shard fighters. I find it hard to believe when Sparta’s treasury expands every year our military budget stays the same..” Santiago replied quickly as she saluted the commander of the first tank. “Sometimes Mannsfield I have my doubts as to exactly which side you are on?”

Mannsfield turned slightly to Santiago with a stern expression on his face. “Colonel I have always been on the side of stronger Sparta. What we differ on is the means by which we get to a stronger Sparta. I believe that Sparta will be stronger by expanding our infrastructure and resources and you believe that through war we can achieve the same results by virtue of conquest.”

“You did believe the same as me once!” She fired back her voice full of annoyance.

“Yes I did Colonel, once. However that was a long time ago when our economy was simpler, the world economy was simpler. Now, we see that economic might can be as powerful as military might. When it comes to military production Morgan could out build us in a heartbeat so then it comes down to a war of attrition. Does our training and skill out weigh the numbers he could throw at us? I don’t think we could defeat him, in time, he would wear us down. So the more we build now, build infrastructure, the stronger we will be.”

Santiago looked at Mannsfield again and realized clearly for the first time that he was working against her. It was Mannsfield who had worked behind the scenes orchestrating the obstacles and problems that had limited her military programs. She had always believed that ex-military men would understand, would sympathize with her and understand the need for a strong military, she now saw she was wrong. As soon as the war with the Hive was done she planned to start another war and win this one as well.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2286

Morgan looked over the status report and was a little surprised. First, it seemed that that wily Zakharov had managed to pull off something of a coup – he had discovered the secrets of Centauri Genetics even before Deirdre. That little surprise had caused a bit more digging and it was now clear that Zakharov’s formerly moribund empire was growing fairly quickly. Being bound to a tiny island had made him easy to dismiss, but now that he had hordes of sea bases he had grown significantly, especially since many of his sea bases were near the Monsoon Jungle. With that increase in population his resource base and research rate had increased. True, the Morganite research rate was ten time his, but his was still significant. There was so much to be understood that it was perhaps inevitable that he should pull ahead, at least for a little while.

He composed a brief note of congratulations and sent it off the Zakharov. Prokhor was a true worshiper of knowledge and Morgan had frequently gotten a note of acknowledgement from Zakharov. Now it was time to return the favor.

The second surprise was from Santiago. She had somehow failed to secure even one Hive base, as he had suspected. It was likely that the Hive was proving to be more difficult that anticipated, as usual. Even with the Morganite air force destroying half dozen armies each season that was still not enough. And she was losing armies herself, and that was most unfortunate since almost all the Spartan industrial resources were being channeled to economic and scientific production. That meant her army was being starved, and that losses weren’t being replaced.

The Spartans were bound to take at least one Hive city in the next year. She had to.

Morgan put that aside since he had more important matters to attend to, like convincing the Board to give the latest advances in Quantum Energy to the Spartans. This new reactor could mean a great deal to the Spartans, or anyone else. It was also a sensitive technology and it would take a great deal of work to convince a skeptical Board to loose this genii upon the world.

*~*~*~*~*

Field Headquarters of the 1st heavy tank regiment, outskirts of Fort Victory, Macedonia – SPARTA 2287

Santiago climbed down from the turret of the massive hover tank and jumped to the ground and as she landed she saw her aide, Captain Longstreet, run towards her holding a P.A.D.

“Colonel, glad you could make it!” Longstreet greeted her as he saluted her. “The advance team got her earlier today and I have downloaded the important things you need to review first. There are several urgent items for your eyes only from the High Command.”

Santiago returned Longstreet’s salute and silently took the P.A.D. and activated it.

The first item on the list was marked urgent, high priority, for her eye’s only. She activated the optical scan device on the P.A.D. and a flash of light hit her eyes. The P.A.D began to chirp and then the message was displayed. What she read froze her in her tracks and made her blood boil. The damn Peacekeepers were building a planet buster missile at one of the bases she recently turned over to them. A planet buster being built so close to Sparta was not an acceptable situation. However, that idiot Lal had selected a base to build that lacked even basic resources let alone the resources to build such a massive weapon. Secondly, Major Gregovich had developed a plan in conjunction with Lt. Colonel Sanchez to launch an espionage attack to destroy the missile before it could be built. Well, at least there was an option aside from launching a full scale attack on the Peacekeepers.

The other item of importance on the P.A.D was the good news that Major Mitchell had at last captured the Hive base at the base of the peninsula. The capture of this base effectively cut Yang off from all of his bases to the south and west. The new base had been named Fort Knox and Major Mitchell had established his command center there for Army Group ODIN. The attached intelligence report on Hive troop strength was not good. Yang was definitely putting all of his forces into position to protect his capital and Fecundity Towers was the stronghold by which he would protect it. Yang had positioned three fighter regiments there along with three missile infantry regiments in support. Fecundity Towers. Major Mitchell still believed that his army group could still take the Hive base just south of Fort Knox and hold it and still maintain enough firepower to defend the base. Santiago was not too sure about that but she had to trust in Mitchell’s report and hope he was correct.

The only other item of interest was a report from her supporters on the Federation Council. The legislation she had asked for had passed even against the Mannsfield’s protests and she had gotten everything she wanted. By next turn nearly half of all Spartan facilities would be building military equipment. Mannsfield must have turned several shades of purple when he realized what she had done to him. Under the constitution as Supreme Military Commander during times of conflict she had the authority to “clear” the legislative docket so that the council only dealt with issues concerning the war so she did so leaving only one item on the docket, her military spending requisition. She had also told many of the councilors that unless her item was passed she would not allow any further items to be heard. Well, that got their attention and their promise of continued support for her military requests. Yes, Mannsfield must surely have been very mad about all this.

Santiago handed the P.A.D. back to Longstreet and then began to walk to the command tent.

“Longstreet I need to send a message to Director Morgan at once.”



Director Morgan,

It has come to my attention that Pravin Lal is building a Planet buster at one of the ex-Hive bases I recently turned over to him. Let me blunt, I can not accept the possibility of Pravin Lal having a Planetbuster so close to Sparta. I understand it will take a long time to build but it could be done sooner by applying more funding. I write this letter to you to ask for your support in making sure he can not complete it. I ask not for military support but economic support. What I would ask of you is that you would not offer or aid Pravin with any major economic support. Without such an infusion of resources the rapid of completion of a planet buster is beyond is capability.

Please consider this plan.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Spartan Federation of Free Cities

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2287

Coronal Santiago,

I share your concern over Pravin building a planetbuster in his newly acquired city. One has to wonder at his strategic thought process – why undertake such an expensive project when you have undefended bases in the middle of hostile territory? Pravin never did have much business sense, even if I can understand his principles and ideals. You may have noticed that the University, Cyborgs, and even the Gaians, despite their lectures on Preserving Planet, have all started planetbusters at one time or another. In every case they did not follow through on their ambitions, for which I am thankful. As you astutely pointed out, Pravin’s base Fellowship City can hardly defend itself, much less produce this monstrosity in a expedient amount of time. As it stands he will complete it in 35 years, which is an eternity on Chiron. As you request I will not authorize any loans or gifts to him, just in case he would use these funds to speed completion of this deadly weapon.

You will also find, pre-approved, payment of 500 megacredits for services rendered. This, I hope, will help ease some of the strain placed on the Spartan economy as you assimilate formerly Hive bases. I have also convinced the Board to gift our advances in Quantum Energy to you. This technology is of prime importance to building Quantum Laboratories and, more importantly, more combat-effective soldiers. It also makes high technology soldiers more cost effective, too. With this technology the allied technological advantage against the Hive will be insurmountable. It is unfortunate that Chairman Yang does not understand his position, but he has always been blinded by ideology.

As per your suggestion, Morganite interceptors are probing into Hive territory and destroying any military unit they encounter. One of the pilots flying deep into Hive lands to the east reported an espionage team which could have reached your newly-acquired Hive base. You may want to construct a defensive probe team to guard against such an occurrence. Remember how easily Pravin seemed to bribe your bases away so many years ago. I can only guess that Chairman Yang could wreak untold havoc in Spartan-occupied Hive bases due to loyalists still present.

Warmly yours,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of the 1st heavy tank regiment, Macedonia – SPARTA 2288

Director Morgan,

It seems that Pravin Lal has abandoned his attempts to build a planet buster at his base in Macedonia. I can only hope, for his sake, that he does not try and reconstitute the program somewhere else.

Our forces have captured another Hive base along the eastern coastline of Macedonia. We have renamed it Fortress Gibraltar since the base does control the sea-lanes that allow access to the small bay to the south. We are now making as many improvements as possible to forestall any attacks by Yang and your next contribution of resources will aid us greatly.

Now that we have a secure northern front I will now move as quickly as possible to capture the remaining land bases to the south. Once these are in hand we will move to capture the small sea base in the southern bay area. At that time we will reevaluate our strategic goals and determine the next best course of action.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Spartan Federation of Free Cities.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2288

Coronal,

Of greater concern is Zakharov. He is building an impressive missile and planetbuster force, and this is a force I don’t wish to counter. We have been on good terms for a long while, but I would be concerned over some other faction that has managed to get on the professor’s bad side.

I forwarded your plans to the Morganite theatre manager, Coronal Khilling. He has ordered the Morganite air force to assist in removing opposition to the south while keeping the remainder of Yang’s empire to the north and east bottled up. I hope this will assist you in your efforts.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, Macedonia – SPARTA 2289

Director Morgan,

I too am concerned about the continuing progress Zakharov is achieving in missile technology. It is disturbing to see his faction invest so heavily in a weapon system that obviously only has offensive capabilities. His planet buster missile coupled with his numerous “cruise” missiles would give him excellent fist strike capabilities if he so chose.

I intend to attack next turn at one of the remaining two Hive bases in he southern reaches of Macedonia. The sooner I can complete the liberation of these cities the sooner I can place my forces along the border with Yang and contain him. I would hope that some day Lal would reach a peace agreement with us so that our forces could work in unison but I have great doubts about this.

Lastly, I wish to offer my thanks, my personnel thanks to you for your assistance in funding the war so far. Earlier in the war I made several statements that currently do not seem to be so wise. It takes a great soldier to know when he is erred and I have.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Greater Spartan Federation of Free Cities, Macedonia.

[Hydro]

Morgan Industries, MY 2289

Coronal,

You should know that there are two Hive probe teams at Fecundity Towers. They are currently bottled up by the Morganite air force, and we will attempt to maintain this strategic position. You may want to take precautions, however, since these teams could reach the Hive base under Spartan administration in a short period of time.

The Morganite air force has also removed all defenders from the Hive base you are likely to attack next. They may be able to build a defender before your rovers arrive, but even then I hope you have little trouble in securing this base. We will maintain air cover as we can.

The few northern Hive bases are being relentlessly stripped of their defenders and attacking units. Pravin, as usual, is not helping. Even when the city is undefended he either has no troops to secure the city or sends in a probe team. It is unfortunate that there are not a few Morganite ground troops. That would make securing the Hive bases for Pravin easier.

I am gratified that Morganite assistance has proven to be of some worth. Our air force, which is significant, as allowed your troops more freedom of movement and aided in creating strategic bottlenecks. Moreover, it has allowed you to devote more resources to development.

As for Zakharov, as long as we devote ourselves to a knowledge-based society Zakharov should not be a threat. I see a problem in the future for the Peacekeepers, Cyborgs, and possibly Gaians. I would hate to see any of them to be victims of University aggression. To date he has been quiescent, but that could change. I will keep a close eye on him.

One final note. The Morganite Parliament authorized the free distribution of cybernetic enhancements to all Morganite citizens that may wish them. This will have significant effects on our society, and we will finally achieve what the Cyborgs strived for – an integration of man and machine. I offer this technology to you if you desire it.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, Macedonia – SPARTA 2290

Director Morgan,

Rest assured proper precautions have been taken to defend Fort Knox from espionage attacks. Currently there are two anti-espionage teams stationed at Fort Knox to provide security for the base. One of the two teams is highly trained and should prove more than a match for anything Yang could throw at them.

We have taken the second to last Hive base along the eastern coastline. Our forces will take a brief respite but will push on the following turn. Our new hover-tanks are wonderful weapons and Yang’s forces fall like ripe wheat before the scythe of their shard cannons. Once we secure the last base it will be some time before we can launch a sea expedition to attack the Hive base in the Gulf of Macedonia. We will have to use fighters to suppress the base until we can storm it.

Lastly, I am still unable to secure any form of alliance with Pravin Lal so my hands are tied and I am unable to assist in the efforts to drive the last Hive bases from the western parts of Macedonia. Perhaps in time we can reach an agreement but not anytime soon I fear.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Greater Spartan Federation of Free Cities




Santiago sent the message to Morgan and eased her leg up into a horizontal position. Hover-tanks might be powerful on the battlefield but they were not the most comfortable place to live in. The regiment had taken a few loses but only one tank had been “knocked” out of the line of battle but the techs thought they could get it up and running soon. She looked at the map again and decided that it was time to end the land war once and for all.

“Sgt. Smith contact the rest of the regiment and the 2nd heavy fusion rovers we are moving south. Coordinate with air-command our advance I want as much air support as we can get. I want that last base and I want it now!” Santiago eased back into her chair and began to type in orders for the Army Group as the communication sergeant began to contact the various unit commanders.

Yes, Santiago thought the end was near and then they could re-group at Ft. Knox and prepare for the final assault on Yang!

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2290

Coronal,

It appears the Prometheous Virus has once again afflicted your people. Please accept my sincere sympathies. I will speak with the Board about appropriate efforts to aid your people. After consulting key scientists they have informed me that medical research institutions, such as research hospitals, are key to preventing this bane, which is yet another reminder we live on an alien planet.

In happier news, Morganite interceptors have engaged Hive defenders at multiple bases. They are not configured for bombing runs and are taking quite a lot of damage. This, however, is not an unhappy situation since while they repair they can be upgraded to the quantum reactor. At this point they are more effective against the Hive’s technologically primitive army.

The 500 megacredits remuneration for your latest conquest is attached.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of Army Group ODIN, Macedonia – SPARTA 2291


Director Morgan,

The viral outbreak once again has ravaged my people terribly. Every Spartan civilian and citizen is important to the greater whole of Sparta but the loss of all the specialists and engineers at these cities was almost too hard to comprehend. Our national treasury had reached nearly 600 mega-credits a turn and now we are barely producing 400 mega-credits. However, if there is any positive element to this entire ordeal it is the fact that the war is almost over with the Hive and our people can devote themselves to the re-building of their cities.

We have captured the last remaining southern city in Macedonia! All that remains to be captured is Fecundity Towers. As soon as we can recombine our two operational army groups into the Grand Army of Macedonia I will launch the final assault on Yang. My intention is to launch a series of lighting fast ground and air strikes against his garrisons that should wipe out any resistance. Per the multi-alliance agreement we have agreed to Fecundity Towers will remain in our possession while Yang’s capital The Hive will be turned over to Pravin Lal. At the completion of this operation Sparta will have completed, in full, our terms of the agreement since our forces can not move through Peacekeeper territory until Lal agrees to a treaty. When the last two bases fall in the east we will concentrate our efforts into sea power and the rapid liberation of his remaining sea bases.

The war is nearly at an end and I will be able to return to Sparta Command and begin another campaign, a campaign of words and politics not of guns and armor. Once again I wish to express the admiration of this soldier towards your valiant fighters. Their assistance in this war has been invaluable and in the grand scheme of events pivotal to winning this war.

At this time I would request that your fighters concentrate on the following targets. One, continue their attacks on the western bases of Yang. Two, provide air cover for all alliance forces. At this time Sparta has more than enough fighter protection and firepower to cover the final assault on Yang’s remaining two cities in the east. Perhaps when they are in our hands some of your fighters could reposition to the far-east and support our naval operations when they begin.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Greater Spartan Federation of Free Cities

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2291

Coronal Santiago,

Attached is the authorization for 1000 megacredits, which includes 500 for your most recent Hive base capture and an additional 500 megacredits to help you rebuild after the outbreak of the Prometheus Virus. It is my hope that this will allow your citizens some measure of comfort as they attempt to reconstruct after this calamity.

Our bombers continue to make inroads against Hive forces north of Pravin’s territory, and two removed most defenders from the next base to the east. One interceptor has started removing defender from sea bases. While this may seem strange it might influence Yang that he really has no choice but to surrender as his forces, be they on land or by sea, are systematically eliminated. The Chairman really has few land-based bases left, and it will not be long before all are taken. One option is to use the Morganite transport present at the Morganite research base in the Manifold Nexus. It would not take much effort to refit this transport with the latest armor and reactor, and then configure a few infantry with amphibious abilities. These could start assaulting Yang’s sea bases soon. Keep in mind that this would take some time, and the transport is some distance away from Hive territory.

Sincerely,
Director Morgan

*~*~*~*

Command center, Fort Knox, Macedonia – SPARTA 2292

“Colonel the communication link is established and we have full audio and visual with the Peacekeepers and Pravin Lal is waiting for us to open the channel.” The communication tech reported promptly.

“Open the channel.” Santiago ordered.

The area over the holo-table began to shimmer and then grow brighter and after a few seconds a three-dimensional projection appeared of Pravin Lal standing on a podium with the UN symbol hanging over it.

“Good morning Colonel I hope you and your people are well. I did hear that a strange viral outbreak did occur at one of you bases and I do hope that it was not to terrible.” Pravin halted for a few seconds as if he expected a response from her but she remained silent. After a few minutes of silence a now uncomfortable looking Pravin Lal continued. “Colonel we both know that our past relationship has been checkered with problems and turmoil. However, in the past decade your actions have proven to us your sincerity to achieve a new level of cooperation and trust. The General Assembly of the United Nations Peacekeepers wish to offer you a treaty of friendship and an offer for you to send a representative to our General Assembly.”

“Thank you Pravin for your offer and I will accept your offer of a treaty of friendship provided that you can work out the details of the treaty with Pro-Consul Mannsfield. As for sending a “delegate” to your general assembly I will have to decline. I can instruct the Pro-Consul to send an ambassador to your General Assembly as our representative who will observe and provide a conduit of communication between your people and your General Assembly to Sparta. Currently our “delegate” or planetary representative resides at Morgan Conglomerate the seat of the Planetary Council. I think it would be imprudent for Sparta to send mixed signals to Director Morgan at this time.” Santiago replied in a stern voice.

Pravin turned slightly to his left and motioned with this arm for someone to come over to him and a few seconds later a middle-aged woman stepped into the picture and quickly whispered something into Pravin’s ear and then moved back. Pravin looked down at the fall for a few seconds and then turned back to face Santiago.

“I understand your position and I hope in time you might decide to lend your support and votes to me when the day comes again to vote on the administration of this planet. However, as I said I understand your position and will accept your proposal. I will contact your Pro-Consul and begin the negotiations today. Thank you once again Colonel.” Pravin bowed slightly and then the screen went blank.

Santiago sat there admiring the nerve Lal still had. He actually tried to get my support to become the leader of the planet when he still has to rely on Morgan and Sparta for protection! The Peacekeepers still have three bases that are under Hive control still and he wants to be the Planetary Governor. Well, perhaps the many defeats that had been dealt to him had finally “unhinged” his mind and now he was operating out there where only he could see the “big picture”. It was sad to see a once worthy adversary in such a condition. However, on the other hand when she finally captured Yang she would relish every second of his humiliation and defeat. But it would also serve valuable lesson to her that should Morgan every turn against her and Sparta and put the economic and now military might behind Pravin or Zakharov she could be the one in chains.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2292

“I see that Santiago and Pravin have finally come to terms. Good. It took Pravin long enough,” Morgan said as he scrolled through the day’s events. “So now Yang is truly isolated, and the rest of the factions are united either in trade, diplomatically, or in war.”

“But what will happen when the war with Yang is over?” Rothchild said as he sipped his brandy. “Will this coalition fall apart, and will these fractious powers resume their wars?”

‘I most certainly hope not,” Morgan stated. “War is bad for business.”

“Including the Hive-Spartan war?” Rothchild asked. There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Morgan turned to him. “Yang was a threat, one which Santiago would have had to deal with one way or another. We can do business with Santiago, not so with Yang. Such a decision is an easy one.”

“But what happens after the war is over? Yang cannot hang on much longer.”

Morgan nodded. “He is already finished. All that he retains is what remains of his pride. But, my dear Prime Minister, after the war all the factions, all the remains of humanity, will finally be united.”

Rothchild’s eyebrows went up.

Morgan dismissed the gesture. “They have been united, except for Yang, for quite a while now. All that remains is that final piece, then humanity can move on to its next phase.”

“And what would that be?”

Morgan just smiled.

[Hydro]

Main briefing room, Command center, Ft. Knox, Macedonia – SPARTA 2293

Santiago walked briskly down the aisle and up to the podium and turned to face the assembled officers whom were all standing at attention.

“At ease, take your seats.” Santiago reached over to the podium controls and dimmed the lights and activated the holo-projector.

“Today is the first day of the greatest military campaign every seen on Chiron. Starting today you officers will begin training your soldiers for the greatest air, land and sea campaign we have ever attempted and it all begins in three turns!” Santiago looked out into the audience and scanned their faces for any sign of reaction but found none. Not that she really expected to see any since many of the commanders in the room had served with her for nearly 50 turns. They were all battle hardened veterans now, the elite of the Spartan military machine.

Santiago activated the first set of holo-images and a map of the eastern peninsula of Macedonia was displayed.

“The grand campaign to finish the war against the Hive will be composed of four smaller campaigns or operations. The first operation, and the most critical is codenamed: IRON THUNDER. The “iron” is the codename for the armor/ground forces component and the “thunder” is the codename for the air element. What will different about this campaign is the emphasis on rapid speed or blitz krieg tactics to use an old earth phrase. Within three turns the combined armor, infantry and aircraft of Sparta will move against the Hive base at Fecundity Towers. The total force projection will be as follows.” Santiago activated another screen showing the units involved in the campaign. Now for the first time she heard several voices in the assembled group and some whispers as a reaction to the information she had displayed.

“Alright, alright, we are Spartans!” Santiago turned slightly and began again. “The lead ground elements of the war will be the 1st and 2nd heavy hover tank regiments followed by the 1st and 3rd heavy fusion rover regiments. I am counting on speed alone in this battle so infantry will be primarily used as rear area support and security and those units will be the 23rd, 12th and the 32nd heavy infantry regiments. The infantry will lack the speed to participate in the campaign during the direct assault phases on the cities but I suspect that Yang will use some of the same tactics he has used in the past so infantry support will be critical to the operation to keep the roads clear and cover the rear guard of the assault units. We do not want to have our assault tanks and rovers cut off but even if that were to happen it will be up to the infantry to break them out since the armor will be pushing on to the next target. So what is key to the success of this battle will be air power and I think we will have more than sufficient for the upcoming campaign. Nine air squadrons, nearly the entire air force of the Spartan air corps will be committed to this battle. Five air wings will be detailed to support the first assault on Fecundity Towers while the remaining wings will be held in reserve for the next attack on the base just to the east. Air power will hit each base first followed by the ground attack.”

Santiago activated another screen showing arrows pointing at each of the Hive bases with timetables. “As soon as the first base is captured and secured the ground forces will move out and attack the next base and then the Hive capital. There will be no rest, no refit phase there will only be constant attack and movement. Within six turns I fully expect to have all three bases under Spartan control. So as you can see the burden of this campaign will fall on the armor. I can not stress how crucial both the air and armor elements to this campaign are since if one of them fails I doubt the campaign will succeed at all. With that in mind I have decided to lead the armor myself into battle while Major Mitchell will command the rear echelon elements and support. I will have group captain Stevens with me to coordinate air support.”

Santiago then activated the next screen. “The other three phases of the grand campaign are as follows. Operation Golden-Saber and Operation Whirlwind will take place immediately after the capture of the Hive capital. Operation Golden-Saber is the code named for our ground assault on the Hive bases to the west. The “golden” portion refers to the Morgan air force that will provide air support for us. This will be required since our own air corps will be starting Operation: Whirlwind. Whirlwind will strictly be an air campaign that will concentrate on attacking and crippling the Hive sea bases to the east. Their first priority will be to defeat any Hive attack planes and garrison units and then destroy any sea based resource centers. This will be critical since it will be some time before we can launch the next and last phase of the campaign, operation: Overlord. Operation: Overlord will be a combined naval/air assault on the last of the Hive sea bases. Since our own air corps during Operation: Whirlwind will have destroyed much of the production capacity and defenses of the Hive sea bases they should fall very easily to even a modest sized naval/amphibious attack force. Once the last of the sea bases are captured the Hive will be destroyed. Now do any of you have any questions?”

Santiago returned the lights to normal and looked for hands, several popped up.

“Okay Major Mitchell what is your question?”

“Colonel, the infantry ground force that I will be commanding is somewhat modest and by the time we reach the Hive capital I will have no infantry left since I will have to leave some of them behind at each base we capture.” Mitchell sat down after his question.

“Good question and you are right but I have imposed article #12 of the Federation constitution and for the next 10 turns all resource allocation is under my control only. When we launch the assault against the Hive bases in three turns we will have amassed sufficient resources and mega-credits to equip garrison units immediately upon possession and so on and so forth. Your infantry will continue in support, no garrison duty for you Major.” Santiago looked over at a young armor captain who had his hand up and nodded towards him.

“Colonel if the armor units spot any Hive infantry hiding in fungus sectors or in forests will we be allowed to engage them?”

“No you will not. Bypass any Hive infantry or rovers you see your mission is to assault the cities. Any Hive soldiers in the open will be the responsibility of the infantry and Major Mitchell.” Santiago nodded towards the young lieutenant that had his hand up.

“Colonel, what if we get bogged down?” The lieutenant sat down quickly after he asked the question nobody else wanted to ask.

“Lieutenant since I will be commanding the lead elements of the attack I can assure you if anything gets bogged “down” I will be out kicking each and every one of you in the ass to get you going. Let me be clear there will be no stopping we can not give Yang any time to regroup or re-deploy, is that clear. Speed is the key and we will be training over the next two turns to indoctrinate every commander to every junior private in this army that speed is the key!” Santiago looked around the room again and found no hands up now. Well, perhaps she convinced them but the real task at hand is putting into action.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2293

Morgan read the report with some satisfaction. The Morganite air force had eliminated all the defenders in the Hive’s last large base. More defenders to the north had been eliminated, and a Hive foil had been found and eliminated by accident. It was almost like there were too few targets.

That was fine. The sooner Chairman Yang succumbed to the Spartan ground forces the better. Then the nasty war would be over and Morgan could turn his thoughts to more important things.

*~*~*~*

Training grounds, Fort Knox, Macedonia – SPARTA 2294

Colonel Santiago watched the infantry deploy once again along the ridge line to defend it against the oncoming hover tanks. This time the captain in charge of the infantry had learned his lesson and had deployed the bulk of his force just behind the crest of the hill in order to hide his true strength. The hover tanks began to fan out as the approached the hill and then accelerate. Within a matter of minutes the hover tanks had closed the range and began to climb the hill while several tanks began to accelerate even faster around the sides of the hill.

Santiago continued to watch and quickly realized it was all over again for the infantry. The tanks were just to damn fast in this terrain. The infantry could not bring enough firepower to bear for the time required to do enough damage to stop the advance. Perhaps in a very hilly area the infantry might have a chance but not today.

“Excellent work Major Mitchell. Your men did the best they could under the circumstances and they fought as good as they could.” Santiago lowered the mag-glasses and turned and walked back to her command rover.

“Colonel, we could run this war game a thousand times and I think it would always end up the same way. There is just now way the infantry can survive against those tanks.” Mitchell replied as he fell into step beside her.

“Major, I want you to test each and every one of your commanders and see what they can do. When you find the one who can at least reach a draw in this scenario promote him to your adjutant.”

“Colonel, I already have an adjutant.” Mitchell replied with a hint of sarcasm.

“Yes, you do and he also has the lowest score of all of the commanders in your command. I suggest you keep running the scenario.” Santiago stepped into her command rover and shut the door. “Okay, back to the base.”

The command rover took off like a shot and was soon racing back to Ft. Knox. Yes she thought it was nice for a while to take a break from the horror of war and really train again and get the men sharp. Only two more turns and the ware would began again and she would be ready for it hell or high water.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2294

Morgan just shook his head. It was inconceivable that Yang still resisted. Yet, there he was, producing endless streams of useless plasma defenders. No sooner where they trained then either the Morganite air force or the Spartan war machine summarily destroyed them. It was not even sporting, but it was war. Yang had proven time and again he was not interested in peace, and it was just as clear that Santiago would accept nothing less than Yang’s unconditional surrender.

It did not seem likely that Santiago would get her wish. After the last few land bases were captured it would be a long, grinding sea war. Yang had sea bases in abundance, and while their defenders could be destroyed, occupying those bases would be difficult. Now he had gotten word that the Morganite transport with amphibious troops had been delayed by a hostile isle. Most unfortunate.

Yes, it would be a long war. Too long. Morgan issued orders that would end it very soon.

*~*~*~*

Main gates, Fort Sumter ( formerly known as Fecundity Towers-HIVE ), Macedonia – SPARTA 2295

Santiago watched as another platoon of hover tanks began to enter the base as she stood waiting for her command staff to catch up with her. She looked up and the sky was still crisscrossed with exhaust trails from the hundreds of fighters that had attack the city. She could even see some of the shard fighters dancing out of the clouds as they began another sweep of the area. The planes looked so peaceful up there, so fragile, so benign but that was a false impression to be sure. The bulk of the Spartan air corps had ravaged the Hive base with endless hours of bombardment and attacks. One of her junior aides had used an old American saying “shock and awe” to describe the attacks on the Hive base. It had been terrible and the base was torn apart during the battle. Fortunately she had planned for this and there were ample supplies and resources to rebuild the base and there was still the 500 mega-credit “bounty” as she called it now that Morgan paid for each Hive base taken. Well, he was about to get a lot poorer if that was even a concept for him since she planned on taking two more bases in the next two turns. She glanced back down the rood and she could now see her command team moving into position now to enter the city. She admired how they handled the news when she told them that the timetable for the attack had been moved up a turn and then explained to them that Major Gregovich of intelligence had informed her that the Hive had learned of their plans and were quickly moving to thwart it.

Her command staff had worked around the clock in issuing new orders to get the units moving and when it was all done they had captured Fecundity Towers with hardly no loss of life to Sparta.

“Colonel, where should we set-up?” Captain Longstreet asked as he jumped off of the rover and landed next to her.

“We don’t. The advance team is already here and they are getting things in order. We keep moving!” Santiago replied as she jumped onto the second to last rover as it moved through the gate. “Coming Captain?”

Longstreet hurriedly jumped onto the last rover as it moved by and settled down into a chair and pulled out a P.A.D. He typed a quick message into the P.A.D. and hit the send key. If someone looked at the message it would look like gibberish but that is exactly how the Hive scientists had designed to look like. Longstreet had a long time ago decided that this war only served one purpose to fill the blood lust of Santiago and if he could help stop it he would. There was fighting and there was slaughter and this was not fighting. Longstreet looked out the window at the bits of human remains that lay scattered around the area and almost vomited. This was not fighting that was for sure these poor souls were ordered to defend a hopeless position and did so until they died and they were not even allowed to surrender or seek a truce. No, this had to stop one way or another.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2295

Coronal Santiago,

I am forwarding to you a technology of vital importance: Self Aware Machines. With this advance we will be able to build satellites that will defend our cities against planetbusters. I think you will agree that this is a vital and strategic ability. Although most factions have been living in harmony for quite a while one never knows what will happen. You have expressed concerns in the past over the irresponsible actions of a lesser power; this should give you and your people some comfort that entire populations will not dissapear due to the irrational tendencies of an unsound mind.

I have also attached our agreed upon 500 megacredits, which should assist you in securing your latest conquest from the Hive. I can not help noticing that the Hive capital is within your grasp, and that Chairman Yang’s defenses are thin indeed. The question we must ask now is: what next? Do you have any plans for securing the Hive’s many sea bases? Without securing these strongholds the Good Chairman may never give up his megolomicacal dreams.

Lastly, as part of our new alliance Morgan Conglomerate will pay 10% of its annual treasury to Sparta to help support peacekeeping forces while in exchange Sparta will order the integration of our economic institutions with yours with the exclusive purpose of allowing Morgan minority ownership in all Spartan industry and economic systems. Sparta will also follow the advice and direction of Morgan Conglomerate in all economic matters.

These are my terms for your review.

Colonel Corazon Santiago

Supreme Military Commander of the Greater Spartan Federation of Free Cities

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2296

Coronal,

Let me be the first to congratulate you on your successful capture of the Hive’s capital. This victory has been a long time in coming, and you, your army and air force, and the Spartan people are to be commended for it. Your actions have helped rid Chiron of a true threat, a force that harkens back to the darkest days of lost Earth.

The Board of Directors has reviewed your terms and has unanimously accepted them without comment. Such an agreement plays to both of our strengths. Your people, through strength and valor, have proven themselves to be masters of the military ethos. As such, you are the natural peacekeepers on Chiron. We Morganites have shied away from military matters, only taking up arms when forced. Our talents lay in the realm of the economic.

Moreover, your suggestion is truly insightful. To fully integrate humanity the Morganite Board of Directors will offer a similar union to the other factions, which will allow them to grow and expand and use the inherent abilities of their peoples for the good of all. Lady Skye will be asked to be the custodian of Planet, as she calls it. Prokhor Zakharov will be asked if he is willing to be the steward of scientific advancement. Pravin Lal will be asked to ensure that the UN Charter is fairly and evenly applied to all people of Chiron. Prime Function Aki Zeta-5 will be requested to lend her services to guide the inevitable union of humans and machines.

As such, all will have a place, if they are willing. I thank you for your suggestion – it may help us finally find each other’s strengths instead of trying to exploit weaknesses.

Gratefully,
Director Morgan

[Hydro]

Field headquarters of Task Force: Saber, Macedonia – SPARTA 2297


“Major is there any way the technicians can find a way to break through the solar activity?” Santiago asked as she sat in a field chair looking at the view screen.

“No Colonel they have tried every means possible and command is working on it as well but to no avail. We do know that Morgan did get your last transmission and the response he sent to us was received but no further communication was possible.” Mitchell replied

“Thank you Major. For now let us “assume” that he did get and he is at least considering it so we proceed as planned. You are to continue with Operation: Whirlwind and I will continue as planned. Santiago out.” Santiago reached over and turned off the communicator and sat back in the chair. Without the further confirmation from Morgan all plans were on hold but the military campaign had to proceed on. The only problem was the continued burden of all the captured Hive bases. Sparta was supposed to have turned over two bases this turn but that was not possible now. So she had ordered only minimal improvements to be made until such time as they could turn them over. Damn the solar flares!


*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2297

Morgan smiles. “Do you think Santiago will notice we secured two Hive sea bases?’

“I expect she will know before her theatre commanders know. She may also be slightly annoyed that we have taken them, and that they have been renamed in your honor,” Rothchild said. He set down his brandy. “That kind of action implies we are going to stay.”

“I see no reason not to” Morgan replied. “I personally informed Coronal Santiago we were forming a transport-based assault force some time ago, and let her know it would be some time before it was fully operational. As to the spoils of war, Santiago has done very well and she has no cause to complain if Morgan Industries takes possession of two underdeveloped sea bases from the Hive.”

“According to ‘reason’ you are right,” Rothchild stated. “But Santiago can be quite…emotional.”

“Yes, she can. She does take actions personally. That is why I have dealt with her in person all these years. Her power is growing significantly.”

“Due to our help, I might add. The massive amounts of energy and material support has aided her cause, tipping the balance in her favor.”

“That is what it was intended to do. I had to prove that Morgan Industries had her better interests in mind, and since Santiago understands actions that is exactly what she has been given. We have been generous in donating energy, material, and especially technology. These exchanges have been profitable for her, and that was the intended result.”

Rothchild picked up his brandy again, swirling it a little. “Too much? She will soon rival us, and her infrastructure is building rapidly, as is her population base now that she is almost finished absorbing the Hive’s significant population.”

“That was the intent, also. In my opinion Santiago will only feel secure and an equal if she has rough parity. She will have that soon, and will be the absolute leader in all matters military. Do not forget, my friend – energy is the life blood of this society and when the chips are down he who controls the energy supply controls Chiron.”

Now it was Rothchild’s chance to smile. He lifted his brandy sifter to Morgan. “A toast! To the Power Company!”

Morgan laughed, raised his glass of merlot to Rothchild’s, and drank his fill.

*~*~*~*

Command center, Fort Sumter, Macedonia – SPARTA 2298

Major Mitchell walked over the intelligence section in the command center. Major Mitchell was not a very happy soldier this morning.

“What was so urgent that I had to be woke up at 02:00 hours!” Mitchell barked. He never had a great appreciation for those who choose to enter the intelligence field and as such to be summoned from his sleep was all the more annoying.

“Major we have confirmation that Director Morgan captured the two Hive sea to the southeast. It seems he did so by using an amphibious assault force.” The young lieutenant handed him the three-page report that detailed the assault.

Mitchell was shocked. He read the report twice and then handed it back without a word. This was not going to please Santiago at all. Sparta was still unsure as to what response the Morganites would make to the offer made by Santiago and then they make a brash move like this. This was not a good sign at all. The High Command for decades had been clamoring for Santiago to protest the extension of Morgan bases into the southern hemisphere that had always been Spartan control. Now this event would really send them on a rampage. Well before he called Santiago he had better have a plan. First thing he needed was to scrap the light assault ship that he had ordered built and redesign it so it could be built in one turn. Then order it to move out at flank speed next turn to secure the Hive base just off of the northeastern coastline. Once that was secure the ship could move south and secure the base in the Bay of Macedonia. Second, all Spartan war planes would scour the seas destroying Hive ships and equipment at will and also keep track of Morgan’s assault force. Yes, it was a good plan now to call Santiago and pray she did not blame him for this and remove him from command. Damn those Morganites why could they not just stick to the plan that Santiago gave them. Also, there would a huge uproar about the fact that Morgan took those bases when the agreement Santiago made with Morgan included the fact that ALL of those sea bases would be Spartan since Sparta had to give all of those land bases to Lal. No, each second he thought more about this the more his head hurt and the more trouble this was going to bring. This was not good at all.

“Get Santiago NOW!” Mitchell roared in the control room.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industies, MY 2298

Morgan looked over the yearly summary. It had been a good year.

Another Hive base, now called Morgan Collective, had been captured. There had been no defenders thanks to aerial bombardment from Morganite and Spartan air forces, and the amphibious assault force had not taken a scratch. Next year the transport would be en route to secure the last Hive sea base, which was a ways to the southwest.

Morgan couldn’t help but be amused that an elite hovercraft team had captured a mindworm. They had gone in, guns blazing, expecting a whithering psi assault. None could forget the early years when his people were psychologically incapable of understanding and attacking the dreaded mindworms, and the damage and terror they had caused. Now it seemed that was different. The social regimes of a Green economy and a Cybernetic social value meant that the Morganite people had changed. More mindworms may be in the future, too. That was an encouraging thought.

In minor news, the damaged Gaian cruiser was reparing and the crew was being shown every courtesy that could be contrived. The Gaians were fully able to exprerss and desire the finer things in life and it was hard to impress them. A few Morganite Pleasure Liaisons had been taught a thing or two, it seemed. Relations were more than smooth now that the Morganite and Gaian peoples had come to an understanding on the useful purpose of an economic emphasis.

It also seemed that the Gaians were not above defending themselves. By happenstance a Morganite beaurocrat chanced upon a Gaian report of the use of a conventional missile against an isle of the deep. That seemed to be a waste, but who was he to judge? A mindworm isle, especially if loaded with mindworms and spoor launchers, could be a deadly threat.

The various Projects were continuing apace, and a few would be completed in the next few years. Morgan also made a note to set aside a good portion of their budget. When the solar flares finaly subsided Santiago would want her tribute, and when accumulated over time that could be significant. At this point their tribute request of 10% per year of their net income would be at least 160 megacredits or more, depending on the year. Morgan also made a note to add a goodly amount of interest to the account.

Prototypes of the new String Disruptor would be finished soon, as would the new neutonium resonance armor. With these in place and the new singularity reactors any power tryng to press a claim would be hard pressed. When done Morgan made a Directive to upgrade all key cities immediately, and build backup defenders and reaction forces, just in case.

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of the 1st heavy tank regiment, three sectors south of a Hive base, Macedonia – SPARTA 2299

Santiago looked through the mag-glasses one last time then put them away. The Hive base was not going anywhere but it still frustrated her that the 2nd heavy tank regiment had not caught up with her yet. Until they did she would not launch the attack on the base but based on reports that meant only a turn delay at most. What was really frustrating her now was the lack of air cover. Where were the damn Morganites? Operation: Golden Saber was quickly becoming a fiasco in her book. They had tried to gain passage through the Peacekeeper territory but they would not let them through. Then they had to plow through the damn fungus as well.

Santiago turned and began to walk back to the command tent hoping that perhaps another message would have arrived. The last communication they received was barely understandable but she did get something about Morgan amphibious troops taking a sea base. She wanted, she needed more information now before she acted. Damn that Morgan! What was he doing?

She tore open the pressure seals and stormed into the command tent.

“Colonel we have no new information.” The regimental communications officer reported. Since the last message communication Santiago had been asking around the clock for additional information but nothing had come in.

“Dispatch another courier at once! I want answers now!” Santiago whirled about and tore back through the pressure seals that closed automatically behind her.

*~*~*~*

Morgan air force, Hive front, MY 2299

Sven banked left to investigate the fungus. One never knew where the Mad Yang might be hiding some of his desperate troops.

“Anything?” his copilot asked.

“Nope. Not a thing. Hive troops are getting pretty rare. What is our secondary target?”

There was a brief pause. “There is a report from a Peacekeeper ‘Data Gathering Team’ that there are troops and a probe team moving between their last remaining three land bases. Our priority is to take out the plasma armor garrison that seems to be heading toward the city Santiago is moving toward.”

“Right. Think we can take ‘em?” Sven asked.

“Let’s just say I don’t have my hand on the ejection chord. Our ETA is about 29 minutes to target. By the way, there is no word from HQ yet. We did get a patchy visual that suggested that three of the Hive’s sea bases are in our hands.”

“Really?” Sven asked. “Airforce?”

“Not a chance. We can’t occupy squat. I’m sure we’ll find out about it when the communication channels clear up.”\

*~*~*~*

Field headquarters of the 1st Heavy Tank Regiment – Steel Panthers, Two sectors south of Hive base, Macedonia – SPARTA 2300

“Each of you have your orders so make sure you review them before leaving if you have any questions. It is critical that you understand your individual units role in this upcoming battle. Our tanks will blow a hole through the Hive defenses and stay just long enough to secure the area. As soon as the area is determined secure we will move out.” Santiago stood in front of a half-dozen senior officers of the 1st and 2nd heavy tank regiments. She had called them together so that they could get a final battle briefing before the assault began. “The 1st and 3rd heavy rover regiments are right behind us so if need be we could even bypass any resistance so that we can continue on to the main targets which are the cities.”

“Colonel what about air support?” One of the company commanders from the 3rd heavy tank regiment asked.

“Scouts now report Morgan planes are flying close ground support and ground attack missions. This should help our rapid advance if Morgan can keep his planes on task. Either way we proceed with the attacks. If there is nothing else you are dismissed.” Santiago turned and left the briefing area as the briefing broke up. She wanted to get back into battle now and finish this once and for all. The latest intelligence on the whereabouts of Yang was even more troubling. It seems that Yang was able to fly from his sea base command center all the way to the west without one air patrol interdicting them. It was as if the plane knew where and how to avoid all of the air patrols. Now Yang was huddling at his last base hoping against hope for a miracle to save him. The only thing that was coming for Yang was Santiago.

*~*~*~*

Hive front, Macedonia, MY 2300

Sven activated his spy-eye, willing it to swivel and sweep south of the Hive base. He liked what he saw – an army of elite Spartan hovercraft and rovers.

“See that?” he asked his copilot.

There was a noncommittal grunt. “Oh,” she said. “Yang doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Never did,” Sven said. “Taking up position to block enemy movement. No evidence of hostiles, except for those poor bastards in the Hive base.”

“Hey,” Marg said. “Heads up. We’ve got incoming.”

That got his attention. “What is it? Trajectory?”

“Res now. It’s a missile headed for the Hive base. Final reentry.”

There was a pause. “Get this. It’s Peacekeeper!”

“Sh*t. Really?” Sven said.

“Really. Look down.”

Sven swiveled his spyeye just in time to see the huge missile arc downward. There was a bright flash. Luckily the spyeye was smart and dampened the light or he might have been blinded, for a while at least. A low muffled roar reverberated through the cockpit.

“Santiago will be happy,” Sven said. “Is that the first offensive action Lal has taken for a hundred years?”

“Think so,” Marg responded. “He’s used sneaks to rough up the Hive, sabotaging the perimeter defenses. That will make Santiago’s job a lot easier, too. Considering what we’ve done he could have walked troops in at any time. But the Old Man never saw fit.”

“A waste, too - a missile to take out a plasma garrison. Talk about overkill. Is Santiago ready?”

“Soon. Real soon.”

*~*~*

Command hover-tank of the 1st heavy tank regiment, Hive City-Laborer’s Throng, Macedonia – SPARTA 2301

“Gunner target! Santiago roared

“Target locked! Gun hot!” Master Sergeant Williams roared back over the intercom.

“Fire!” Santiago bellowed.

The shard cannon erupted in a blaze of white light as thousands of white energy pulses lanced out and hit the guard tower. The tower exploded in a shower of concrete and red-hot molten metal as it toppled from the wall.

Santiago scanned the walls with the imagining system and found no heat or energy signatures anywhere. She swiveled the sight back onto the main gate area and locked onto it.

“Alpha company form up on me and provide cover fire if needed. Bravo and Charlie Company take flanking positions to the north and south of the base and establish a perimeter.” Santiago switched channels on her headset. “Captain Morris I want you to take the 2nd into the city and secure it the 1st will provide support and cover fire if needed.”

“Roger that Colonel! Thank our flyboys for providing air support for us!” The line went dead.

Santiago switched frequencies again. “Alpha company this is Santiago slave your targeting systems into mine now.” She paused for a second as she watched the computer screen indicate when all the tanks had complied. “Gunner target locked all tanks on line!”

“Target lock, all guns hot!”

“FIRE!” Santiago commanded and five hover-tanks shard cannons blasted the main gates to the Hive base into molten steel. “All tanks stand by check your secondary targets.”

Santiago moved her command chair back from the forward position and turned to her right to check the map-navigation system. Two bases captured with blinding speed and only one left to go and it was within easy reach of her heavy tanks. Yang was there she knew it because he had been here but once again he had somehow escaped her again. That was the last time it would happen.

“Colonel our fighters want to know how soon before they can land and refuel.” The communication chief reported.

“As soon as we secure the base inform the fighters. Contact Captain Morris and inform him that he should detail some of his men to secure the field ASAP.” Santiago replied and then moved her chair back into the command station again.

She watched the smoldering ruins of the Hive base for any sign of movement and there was none. The next time she saw a Hive base in her scope it would be the last time and she would have Yang in chains.

*~*~*~*

Hive Front, MY 2301

Sven looked over the new intel he’d received from the other Morganite air units. All was well. Santiago’s forces had secured two Hive bases and only one remained. There were Spartan hovertanks and armored speeders everywhere.

“Hey Sven,” Marg said. “Look south of the western newly-captured base. What do you see?”

“Wait a sec,” he said, swiveling his spyeye around. He examined the area, then honed in on an armor group. “What the….?”

“Holy ***! Is that what I think it is?”

Marg said, “Yes, a Hive rover, complete with the latest Spartan armor and weaponry. I checked it twice, and even pinged its transponder. Definitely Hive.”

“Well I’ll be damned,” Sven said. “Think they were subverted?”

“Had to be,” Marg replied. “The best the Hive has is old fission reactors and plasma armor with missile armament. This unit has almost the best the Spartans have to offer. All of their units have rather poor training, too. It has to be Spartan.”

“Why in the h*ll would they defect? Yang is doomed, and his last city will fall within the year.”

“I don’t know,” Marg said. “Maybe they have a beef with Santiago, or maybe it’s a rogue commander gunning for her job. Civil wars have started over less.”

Sven was quiet for a moment. “Santiago will cut them apart, literally. I’d bet she doesn’t like to be crossed. Any chance we’re wrong?”

“I suppose. But not much.”

“Marg. Do we have enough fuel to watch what happens?”

“Sure do. It won’t take Santiago long to figure it out. I’ll let the rest of the air crews know. They’re getting board now that the fighting is almost over anyway.”

[Hydro]

Central command and communication center, (HIVE) base/Spartan, Macedonia – SPARTA 2302

Santiago watched as her bodyguards carried the limp form of Chairman Yang to her and then threw him to the floor. Yang lay there for a few minutes quietly and then he began move slightly and moaned.

“Get him up.” Santiago commanded.

The guards reached down and quickly put Yang into a chair and held him in place. Santiago stood up and walked over the Yang and stared at him. He was bleeding from numerous shallow wounds and his hands and feet had been broken. The damage to his hands and feet had been done more as precaution to prevent escape than punishment.

“You *****, do you think you have beaten me?” Yang hissed at her.

“Yes.” She replied calmly.

“Fool! My supporters will free me and throw you from power.” Yang spat back. One of the guards cuffed Yang so that he bent backwards in his seat.

“I suppose you are alluding to Captain Longstreet?” Santiago almost whispered in response. Yang’s head snapped back and wave of hope and desperation played across his face. “Yes, that’s right Captain Longstreet your secret ally. It took me awhile to figure out how you kept escaping capture and eluding my air patrols but I did. The unfortunate part of this whole sad affair is that I did not catch on sooner. However I was able to contain my losses.”

Yang looked at her again with fear creeping across his face. Santiago watched his reaction with cold indifference.

“Yes, you understand now don’t you that your sad attempt to undermine my command failed. Captain Longstreet was able to reach the 3rd heavy rover regiment and engineer a takeover of the regiment. However, he did not have the time to complete his work. The 1st heavy rover regiment attacked them just hours ago and destroyed them thus ending your last hope for victory and killing Longstreet and your supporters. I have to admit the loss of the 3rd was hard to bear but sometimes you need to be cruel to save the whole. I had intended to decommission both rover regiments since the hover-tanks are far superior in every aspect so in some sense you saved me some work but I do regret the loss of the officers and men of the 3rd. I was informed that your agents were very ruthless in killing my loyal Spartans as they slept so I do take some pleasure in the deaths of your men” Santiago reached down and lifted Yang’s face up to hers. “Now it is time for you take a flight to see my friend Major Gregovich of intelligence. He will become your best friend too over the next few years as you tell him everything you know and once he is done with you then you will be turned over to Director Morgan.”

“Colonel I refuse to submit. I will not tell you a thing!” Yang shook his head violently breaking her grip on his chin.

“Yang you have no choice. You will do so or face torture beyond anything you could imagine. I will have everything in your mind.” Santiago replied.

“You can not do this to me I am a member of the Planetary Council, I have rights!” Yang screamed at her.

“Yang you still seem to operate under the illusion that someone thinks you are still alive. The solar blackouts make any form of communication next to impossible and depending on how cooperative you are. I have yet to decide if I will just keep you my secret and not turn you over at all.” Santiago nodded to the guards who then quickly picked Yang up and stood him on his feet. “You see if you fail to provide the information I need by the time the blackout is over I will simply say you died during the fighting and that will be that. You will rot in a Spartan jail for the rest of your life while being tortured daily. That is the power I have over you so you can either submit or fall between the cracks and live out your life in misery and darkness.” Santiago nodded again and the guards quickly took Yang out of the room leaving her all alone.

She knew she would break him in time and everything he knew would be hers. She still was angry over the loss of the 3rd and the treachery of Longstreet but that would pass in time. Now that the war was over she could build Sparta into the greatest war machine on Chiron!

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2302

Morgan looked over the reports with satisfaction and surprise. First, it was now evident that Santiago had decisively beaten the Good Chairman. Although the evidence was spotty, the combined resolution of the 20 or so orbital Morganite satellites revealed that the last Hive base had fallen. This was not unexpected. Chairman Yang had been completely irrational in his continued struggle against Santiago. At the start of the war they had been evenly matched, with a slight edge to the Hive due to its large number of bases, including conquered Peacekeeper bases, and the fact its entire economy was on a total war footing. But it did not take long for the Spartan’s technological edge to take hold, and Santiago’s wise insistence that a sizeable portion of her economy be devoted to infrastructure was critical.

Also critical was Santiago’s diplomacy, and Morganite support in technology and energy, both in grants and trade. The Hive had been stripped of these, mainly through ideology, blind ideology. He and his deluded followers had paid the price, and now Santiago would take some pleasure in their reeducation.

The last item was disturbing. It seemed that Pravin Lal, the upholder of the Charter and symbol of the last vestiges of Old Earth, had broken a trust. After long years of support and sacrifice by the Morganites, Pravin’s probe teams had tried to infiltrate and steal technology. They had failed, of course – the Hunter Seeker Algorithm had seen to that. More than the sheer gall of the action was the sheer stupidity. All Pravin had to do was ask and almost anything could be his. This had always been the case, and it was rare in the last 100 years that any request had been refused.

Morgan sighed. Then he issued orders that the Peacekeeper espionage teams be given a fair and fully public trial. Their guilt was clear, but it would be useful to make it completely above board, if for no other reason than to embarrass Pravin. An official complaint would be issued, and the matter would be brought up when the Council convened again. That, if nothing else, would be punishment enough. A vendetta would serve no purpose. Pravin was so weak that he would be at the mercy of any of the major powers, be they the Spartans, University or Gaians.

Morgan put that sad matter aside. It was time to think of happier things.

*~*~*~*

Main military airfield, Sparta Command, Sparta – SPARTA 2303

Santiago stepped down from the plane and looked around the airfield and was even more impressed at the facility now that she could see it on the ground. When she had been here last there had been only one runway and now there was five and nearly fifty buildings that included production, maintenance, administration and storage. Scattered around the airfield in small clusters were specially constructed plane storage hangers that were built of reinforced concrete and heavy steel blast doors. They had been built to withstand even a direct missile hit or high-energy weapon strike. From the corner of her eye she glimpsed a speeding transport vehicle racing towards her. She turned to watch the approaching vehicle as the rest of her staff began to disembark the transport plane. With the war over with the Hive the place she needed to be was here at Sparta Command to reorganize the military to make it more powerful than ever before.

The transport vehicle pulled up directly in front of her and the doors popped open and two majors and Lt. Colonel Armis Blackman, Chairman of the Spartan High Command Council and operations director stepped out.

“Well this is an impressive reception but I thought the official reception was to be held at the main administrative center.” Santiago commented as she returned the salutes from the officers in front of her.

“Colonel, I have an urgent message for you that you must read at once!” Blackman handed her a P.A.D., which she took and activated it. “With the blackout we could not contact you and this information arrived via the secure land lines from Lt. Colonel Sanchez.”

Santiago did not say anything but looked at the P.A.D and began to read.


FROM: Lt. Colonel Sanchez / Commandant of Fort Saratoga and Military Governor of Macedonia.
TO: Colonel Santiago and the Spartan High Command

PRIORTY-1 ALPHA EMERGENCY ACTION IMMEDIATE

SUBJECT: WAR WITH THE PEACEKEEPERS

As the Military Governor of Macedonia I am informing the High Command and Colonel Santiago of the following situation in my theater of operation and command.

Just after the departure of Colonel Santiago and her command staff the operational control of the Army of Macedonia was turned over to the Military Governor of Macedonia. Orders were issued to all field units to deploy to Fort Sumter and assume border security operations along the new Peacekeeper/Spartan border. All elements of the Spartan army of Macedonia acknowledged these orders and began operations to return to Fort Sumter.

All units were ordered to submit daily situation reports to my staff. However just recently the 1st heavy hover-tank regiment failed to send in a report. Nearly a month ago all communication with the 1st stopped and the initial assessment was due to the solar flares. However, our intelligence operations detected a regiment of hover tanks now operating within Peacekeeper territory. Using satellite imaging it became clear that this same regiment of hover-tanks matched in every detail our 1st heavy hover tanks. What also was revealed was that these tanks were in the process of being overhauled and repainted to match standard Peacekeeper military unit colors. It now became clear to me that something foul had occurred and our missing 1st tank regiment had been found.

With the new information I decided to take immediate action. I immediately began to prepare an operation to achieve three goals: gather intelligence, make preparations for any action required based on the intelligence gathered and lastly initiate any action plan based on the previous two goals. As the military governor of Macedonia I withheld our yearly treasury contribution to fund this operation to insure the success of the operation. Within a week a plan was developed and prepared. We were very fortunate in our planning to have an elite team of covert specialists deployed at Fort Knox that could reach the site quickly.

As soon as the team was briefed on the plans and equipped they immediate left for the target site and within a week set-up a base camp within kilometer of the target. The team was able to infiltrate the compound and quickly discovered the following as part of the their objective first objectives:

1) The team located several of the members of the 1st tank regiment and was able to gather the following information. The regiment was in route back to Spartan territory when it was intercepted by a group of Peacekeeper administrators who claimed to have been ordered by their command to provide assistance to the 1st during their trip through Peacekeeper territory. The regiment arrived at the current site and quickly discovered that the invitation of assistance had been a trap. The officers and senior non-commissioned officers were taken hostage and locked in a secure installation not far from the site. The remaining tanks crews were told their officers would be safe as long as they assisted Peacekeeper military teams to secure the tanks for the Peacekeeper military.

The covert operations team leader assessed the information and decided that they would try to rescue the command staff and liberate the tanks from the Peacekeepers control or should that fail destroy the tanks to deny the Peacekeepers the use of the tanks. Once a course of action was decided upon the team made preparations as part of objective # 2 of their mission. Within several days planning had been completed and all aspects of the mission were ready.

2) During the night of the fourth day after arrival the team liberated the hostages at the secure facility and quickly returned them to encampment of hover-tanks and during a brief firefight secured the tanks as well. Once the tanks had been secured the 1st heavy tank regiment was able to quickly move to Fort Sumter and the safety of Sparta.

The covert operations team leader contacted me and informed me that the Peacekeeper officer responsible for this operation, just prior to his death, stated that our “actions” amounted to an act of war and that his command would take it as such. This statement was reinforced when I received word form the commandants of Fort Sumter and Fort Knox that the border guards had been told by their Peacekeeper counterparts that no further commerce traffic would be allowed, that the border was closed and that a state of war was in effect.

With this new information in hand I have taken the following initiatives:


1) I ordered several air units to sweep the border areas to determine the state of war preparations by the Peacekeepers. Should any covert espionage teams be discovered along the border the pilots were under orders to destroy them. During the sweeps three such units were found to the north of Fort Sumter and were eliminated.

2) All Spartan military units that were still in Peacekeeper territory should operate under the presumption that ALL Peacekeepers were our enemy and should be treated as such. Currently only a few units are still within Peacekeeper territory but they should make the Spartan border in less than two turns.

3) All border bases will be reinforced as soon as possible with aircraft and additional infantry and armor units.

4) I have ordered an increase in our military production program to reinforce our current troop levels so that we maintain our vase superiority over the Peacekeepers.

5) I have tasked my intelligence teams to monitor the construction by the Peacekeepers of a “planet buster” missile being built at Peacekeeper base just north of Fort Sumter. Should the missile near completion I will either issue orders for the base to be captured or the missile to be destroyed.

This concludes my report to the High Command and I await your response.

Military Governor Carlos Sanchez of Macedonia
Lt. Colonel Commanding the Armies of Macedonia
Commandant of Fort Saratoga


Santiago finished reading the P.A.D and then threw it so hard to the ground it shattered in a hundred pieces. Several of the officers took a step back as Santiago seemed to rock back and forth as she stood there, her eyes blazing in fury. After a few minutes she seemed to become calmer and she raised her head.

“Any word from the other leaders? Do we know if we are the only target of Lal’s actions?” Santiago said through clenched teeth.

“Colonel the solar flares still make it impossible to communicate and thus we do not know if he has or has not attack the other factions.” Blackman reported calmly.

“Alright inform Governor Sanchez I support his actions and his proposals. Now lets get moving I want to be in the situation room at the High Command center within 20 minutes.” Santiago raced towards the transport.

“Colonel what of the reception? Pro-Consul Mannsfield is waiting for you.” Yelled one of the major who had arrived with Blackman.

“Damn the reception we are at war again!” Santiago yelled back in fury.

[Hydro]

Spartan Territory near Leader’s Horde, MY 2303

“What do you mean Leader’s Horde is now flying Peacekeeper colors?” Sven asked.

“Exactly what I said,” Marg replied. “Just got the squirt from some of the air units at the nearby Peacekeeper bases. There is a lot of other traffic, too, most of it undeciferable due to the solar flares. But it is clear something is going on.”

Sven cursed under his breath. “Lal must have subverted the base. That idiot. He did this once before against the Spartans and ended up getting his butt kicked. UN HQ has been a Spartan city for a long time now. His entire empire is surrounded by Spartan cities, who just finished kicking the sh*t out of Yang. What does he have to defend himself – pea shooters?”

“That isn’t the question, Sven,” Marg said. Her voice was perfectly calm, unlike Sven’s, which raised a few notches. “The question is - what are we going to do? Santiago asked that we pull all of our air units to Peacekeeper cities. Santiago won’t take this lying down, particularly after what happened over a hundred years ago. I don’t imagine she’s forgotten.”

“I suppose not,” Sven said. “Can you contact our air units throught he flares?”

“Most of them. They can bounce to the rest. I would guess we could get a message through.”

“We need to do that. I recommend that we pull back to remote Spartan bases, or to some of the Morgan sea bases. We have to keep out of this. The Director would not be happy if there were any accidents.”

“Right,” Marg said. “Message sent.”

“That was fast,” Sven said.

Marg could tell he was smiling by the tone of his voice. “Using your psychic gifts again?”

“No. Just common sense,” she said.

*~*~*~*

Main briefing room, Spartan High Command Center, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2304

Santiago walked briskly into the briefing room followed by her elite bodyguards who took up positions along the wall as she entered the room of assembled officers immediately jumped up and saluted. Santiago walked over to her chair at the end of the large conference table and returned the salute and sat down and after Santiago sat down so did the rest of the officers with the exception of Lt. Colonel Blackman.

“Good morning Colonel Santiago.” Blackman greeted her and then walked to the opposite end of the table and activated a holo-projector and dimmed the lights in the room. “Today we will review some of the key military events of the past turn along the Spartan/Peacekeeper border and discuss the campaign plan put together by the High Command to meet this new threat.”

Blackman reached down and punched a few keys and a tactical map of the Spartan/Peacekeeper border and surrounding areas was displayed along with the positions of every military unit.

“As you can see by studying this map the Spartan position is very good. In every aspect that you can think of we posses an advantage that exceeds a fifty to one capability with the exception of one, naval power. Pravin does have more naval power than we do but we hope to rectify that shortcoming soon. In the meantime we will hunt down his small number of ships and destroy them at sea or at dockside. Governor Sanchez is continuing air patrols up and down the border to insure no Peacekeeper espionage teams or military units approach the border without our knowing. He has also issued orders in conjunction with the previous orders to destroy all of those units should they come within two sectors of the border. Once we can establish a stronger naval presence combined with our far superior air and ground capabilities we will have no reason to fear any Peacekeeper action. So this brings us to the question before us and that is do we press the war to Pravin and re-capture all of the cities in Macedonia and drive him from the continent or not.”

Blackman deactivated the holo-display and restored the lighting to normal and resumed his seat. For a few minutes no one spoke as if they were still “digesting” the information Blackman had given them. Santiago pushed her chair back and stood up.

“Thank you Lt. Colonel Blackman for that concise report. I will address the political aspect of this issue. First, as far as we are concerned the law is on our side. Lal actions were in direct violation of our treaty of friendship and as such it grants us the freedom to act as we wish. However, there are other factors that have bearing on our decisions today and namely that is our treaty and agreements with Morgan. We have several treaties with Morgan concerning the Peacekeepers so any action we would take against the Peacekeepers might be considered in violation of those treaties. We had no plans to keep the three last bases we liberated from the Hive so I see no reason why would not to now. Pravin has already taken a base we planned to give him in the first place so in reality all we need to make sure is that he does not take one that he is not supposed to. As it stands now Morgan owes us over 3,000 mega-credits for bases we have captured so I do not want to risk us loosing it. Our alliance with Morgan is and will remain our paramount priority. We will do nothing to risk that alliance unless he decides to take sides against us. In many aspects the current situation is an exact duplicate of the one we had for many decades with the Peacekeepers. We survived and prospered then so I see no reason why we cannot continue to do so now. I see no reason why we cannot use this war to our military benefit. One of the major concerns I had at the conclusion of the war with Yang was how to keep our forces combat ready. Well this little war will do just that. It might sound cold and heartless but every time a fighter plane, tank or infantryman engages a Peacekeeper and wins it improves our forces for a future fight to come. So unless anyone has any objections we should continue defending our borders and when possible make surgical strikes to weaken the potential threat the Peacekeepers might pose. However, we will do nothing at this time to jeopardize our relationship with Morgan until it is clear that he has chosen to help the Peacekeepers against us.”

Santiago sat down.

*~*~*~*

“Colonel we still have units operating within Peacekeeper territory that are trying to clear the fungus fields and reach Fort William McHenry wouldn’t it be easier to just hold one of the bases we captured as a forward strike base?” A young major commented.

“Our economic resources are thin enough and I do not want the Pro-Consul spending even one mega-credit on this ex-Hive bases. We are setting up new bases in Thrace and the coastal areas around there. We are also building new bases in Macedonia and there is the land expansion program just north of Sparta Command that will soon be colonized. We have enough of our own expansion to keep us busy let alone incorporating the ex-Hive bases we are keeping. I will go on the record now and say I have no intention of returning Yang’s ex-capital to Pravin or any of the bases on that eastern peninsula. Those bases are ours for Lal’s treachery. They will also serve to help guard those eastern sea lane approaches to Sparta.” Santiago quickly replied.

Blackman stood up and looked around the table and no one else wished to add anything or ask a question.

“This meeting is closed.”

*~*~*~*

Former Hive Territory, MY 2304

Sven started his landing cycle. “And word from the other Morganite interceptors?”

“Almost all have pulled back to secondary bases. It is not clear what Santiago’s forces will do, and there hasn’t been a large-scale movement. We still can’t contact them, even on a tactical level. We’re flying blind,” Marg said.

“Right. Any way to warn Santiago that there is a Peacekeeper transport headed from their island to Macedonia?”

“No,” Marg said. “She’ll have to find out the hard way, I guess.”

“We’ll have play more wait and see games, then.”

*~*~*~*

Central command center-Spartan High Command, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2305

Santiago watched the video feed as the transport passed through the narrow channel that separated Sparta from the small Peacekeeper island. Intelligence confirmed that the Peacekeepers had an espionage team on board. It was just too damn close!

“Issue orders to have all Spartan bases to fund, equip and train anti-espionage teams. I also want that Peacekeeper transport sunk. Inform the Group Captain Schmidt that I want him to re-deploy some of our air assets to protect our sea bases and other border areas. I also want Governor Sanchez to launch a punitive strike against the nearest Peacekeeper base and wipe out the garrison.” Santiago ordered with the sound of hard steel in her voice.

Damn that Lal and his Peacekeepers! Why would he continue to risk certain defeat and the capture of every Peacekeeper base in the southern hemisphere? These constant stupid attacks were wearing her patience thin and she wanted to put an end to it.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2305

“Have there been any significant repercussions from converting from a green to a transitory economy?” Morgan asked.

“No. Our efficiency is high enough that we are not in danger of severe waste, and we are able to shift energy as needed. Moreover, the change has allowed us to be in a constant state of golden age and population boom. This has significantly increased our energy and resource production.”

“And our research?”

“We are now exploring the realms of transcendent thought and, to be honest, I have no idea what the research means – it is quite beyond me. The transcendi, Cyborgs, and their ilk have entered into other realms of thought, literally. At this point we are experiencing one to two breakthroughs every year. It is quite extraordinary, actually.”

“Very good,” Morgan said. “Any word in the solar flares? Will they subside soon? I am anxious to find out what is happening on Macedonia. Our spotty information is rather unsettling.”

“No luck yet, nor any idea when they will subside. I can only hope soon.”

“Agreed,” Morgan said.

*~*~*~*


Spartan High Command center, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2306

Santiago read the reports again to make sure she understood every detail. The Peacekeepers seemed to harboring a death wish. More probe teams were intercepted at the border and destroyed by fighter craft and now this latest report of an amphibious landing by espionage teams. If she allowed this to continue then it would tantamount to encouraging Pravin to stage more attacks. What had become clear was that Pravin was directing these attacks. The latest intelligence reports indicated he was at one of the bases in Macedonia but they did not know which one. The Spartans needed to send a message to Pravin once and for all that if he continued to attack Sparta he would be the ultimate price!

*~*~*~*

Peacekeeper Territory, MY 2306

“Please, come in,” the man in powder blue said.

Sven followed him in, noting that the powder blue was distinctly unflattering and impractical for a military officer. The Peacekeepers had a number of very strange ideas, and this was not the least.

As he passed he noted the nametag: Coronal Wilness.

The Coronal paced around the large, ornate desk and made a show of sitting down. Sven was annoyed. Such acts of pomp were out of place, particularly at a time like this.

“What may I do for you?” the coronal asked.

“As you know, my air wing is temporarily based here. The ongoing hot war between the Peacekeepers and the Spartans had caused no small amount of consternation for my fellow Morganite officers and me. We thought that the end of the Hive war would lead to peace, but instead our two allies are shooting at each other!” Sven let a sharp note enter his voice, and cut it off as soon a he notice it.

“We haven’t been able to call to Industries to get orders, so I decided to come to you to find out what is going on and how to stop it.”

The Coronal nodded. “I see,” he said. “You are here in an unofficial capacity on an information gathering self-appointed mission. That is highly irregular.” He pursed his lips.

Sven could see where this was going. Petty bureaucrats! Even in the military! “Look,” he said, “I’m not asking for state secrets. I must want to be able to tell my fellow officers what is going on. They are doing the same, and I hope that between us we can find some way to resolve this, even if none of us can call home.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Captain,” the coronal said. “You are not a duly authorized representative of the Morganites, and as such I cannot recognized you or your request. I must get clarification from the home office.”

“Damn it!” Sven said. This was the third official he had seen in as many days, and their line was always the same. “People are dying! No, Peacekeepers are dying. The Spartans are very good at what they do, and unless something is done the Spartan flag may rise over every Peacekeeper base in this hemisphere!”

The coronal displayed no emotion and regarded Sven with a neutral gaze. “Is there anything else I can do for you? By our Pact treaty we are to extent to you every courtesy.”

Sven was speechless.

He got up and left before he said something he’d regret.

*~*~*~*

One thousand feet above “the canal”, Sparta – SPARTA 2307

“Flight leader this is red two over?”

“Red two this is flight leader, status?”

“Flight leader I have the Peacekeeper transport spotted, in visual range. I am transmitting my coordinates now.”

“Confirm red two. This is flight leader to all red wings converge on red two and begin attack runs.”

“Flight leader this is red two. The transport is taking evasive actions and it is also flashing a light signal to indicate that it is unarmed. I am transmitting images from my nose camera now.”

“Confirm I have your image red two. Our orders are firm and we are to destroy the transport. It was used to land espionage teams just northeast of the base. It must be taken out of action. Confirm red two?”

“Confirm flight leader. I have you in visual now. I am making my attack run.”

“This is flight leader to all red wings follow red two in make your attack run. All red wings are cleared for weapons hot, I repeat weapons hot. Once you make your attack run return to base.”


The transport Captain was sure that the signals team was getting the message right and he ordered them to continue flashing the signal. He looked through the mag-glasses again and realized that the war planes were now turning towards him and accelerating.

“Order general quarters! Stand by for attack! Evasive actions!”

Captain Richards turned towards the bridge door to rush back inside but he stopped to watch the now very visible and becoming larger Spartan war planes. He knew it had been a mistake to make the landing so close to the base but his superiors assured him that the Spartans would not attack. How more wrong they could have been he would never find out as the first waves of plasma shard energy bolts began to hit his ship in a shower of molten steel and steam. Wave after wave of fighters swept the transport turning it into a molten burning slag of metal that turned the surrounding seas into a huge clouds of steam. Within ten minutes the transport began to slide beneath the seas taking all hands with her.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2307

The soft stains of J.S. Bach’s Tocatta, Adagio and Fugue played, and its intricate melodies reverberated perfectly among the polished granite and gild halls of Director Morgan’s darkened office. A flood of light entered the room from the window wall, the careless cast off energy from the strident towers of Morgan Industries. As far as the eye could see brash towers stretched to the sky, offering a challenge of discordant voices to the peaceful heavens.

Director Morgan stood in front of the window wall. The light of his city washed over him, illuminating his dark face, steel gray hair, and flawlessly tailored navy suit. Behind him all was darkness, but he did not see that – he was facing the light, and shunned the darkness. The beautiful ancient music came from the darkness. He heard and savored it but he did not turn toward it. He looked into the radiance. And he embraced it.

A faint smile graced his face, eager and expectant. For the first time in decades Morgan was not fully engaged and he turned his entire being to drinking in this grand vista. He could not say there was nothing to do, far from it. The Morganite economy was on a geometric progression and was achieving astounding increases in production. The other factions had long since ceased to be relevant.

Outside the entire Morganite continent throbbed with unbridled power. It was an empire for which the sun never set, and not for the reason one might imagine. Indeed, technological progress had made the idea of a ‘sun’ obsolete. First energy and matter were interchangeable. Now consciousness and people were interchangeable. Some of the brightest minds were choosing a netherworld, another state of existence.

That did not threaten Morgan, for he knew in his heart that it was the next step in human evolution. He even knew that this odd planet Chiron, the adopted home of humanity, had played a significant part in unlocking the secrets of the human mind, for it was in fact an alien consciousness. In decades past the Voice of this consciousness had been disturbing with its silky siren call, calling him to join with it, calling, calling….

Morgan resolved not to hear its call. His humanity had another destiny. There would be no merging and becoming one with Chiron. No, that was not to be.

Morgan smiled. His vision was much grander. He would reach out his hand one day soon and pluck the stars and make them his playthings.

Then Chiron could join him!

[Hydro]

Covert operations command center, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2308

Santiago walked into the newly completed covert operations command center and was immediately impressed with the facility. It was the latest covert operations center built within the Spartan Federation and had all of the latest improvements and upgrades.

“Colonel I am glad that you could finally make your way down here.” A young captain quickly walked over to Santiago and saluted which Santiago promptly returned. “I was hoping you would make it down here today and you are in luck because we are about to start an operation against a Peacekeeper espionage unit hiding in some fungus.”

“Where are they?” Santiago quickly asked.

“If you follow me Colonel I will take you over to operation room and you can see how this will play out.”

The two of them walked over to a room that had glass walls that was situated in the center of the operations command area. As Santiago walked in she was stunned to see real time satellite imagery of the fungus sector magnified so that you could see the espionage team as they worked their way through it. On another wall was a split image display of a map showing the progress of a fighter wing and a gun camera view. On another wall was an overall tactical display of the entire area and on the last wall was a display showing thermal image readouts of the enemy espionage team and the health status of each. In the center of the room was a large table that projected holographic images of information, maps and reports of all covert operations all over Chiron.

“Colonel as you can see from this display.” The captain pointed to the one that had the split screen showing the gun camera view and tactical display. “Our fighters are about to make their attack run. Unless we would call them off in less than a minute that Peacekeeper espionage team will be eliminated.”

“Proceed.” Santiago replied coldly.

The captain nodded to a communication technician who picked up a headset. “Red wing leader you are cleared for weapons hot. I repeat weapons hot. You are now mission bingo. You will not accept any further commands until you land. Your mission go code is: magnificent, I repeat: magnificent.”

“Roger that command, Red Wing leader out”

The lights in the room dimmed and all of the monitors began to get brighter as the attack mission began to unfold. From each of the wall displays information flooded into the operations center and soon you could see the warplanes swooping down on out of the clouds and attack the espionage team. On another display Santiago could see the life signs of the espionage team start dropping down to zero and soon not a one of them were alive. The mission was over.

“Most impressive Captain, most impressive. Thank you.” Santiago turned and left the room knowing that the for the first time that Lal and his Peacekeepers were no more threat to Sparta than fly was a to a battleship.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2309

“Tachyon fields?” Director Sebastian said. “Why do we need tachyon fields around every base? Are we expecting a Cyborg attack? If so, it’s about a hundred years too late.”

There were a few chuckles from the other board members, and Joel turned aroun to soak in the non-verbal applause.

“Irrelevant,” a voice said. Dr. Calcn had decided to grace the Board with her presence today, or what passed for a presence. She was a transcendi. “An examination of Director Morgan’s recommendation indicates it will consume a trivial portion of available resources. Risk analysis indicates this is a profitable investment due to the low outlay of time and material.”

Sebastian turned toward Dr. Calcn’s seat and addressed the air where she used to sit. “We could be spending those resources on additional satellites…”

Dr. Calcn interrupted. “Inefficient. Satellite capacity has been exceeded by 30 percent. Attritional outlays are not necessary or prudent at this time. It is logical to press Dr. Morgan’s proposal to include upgrades of all city garrisons, and the construction of additional fast response psi and conventional attack wings.”

Director Sebastian fumed. He hated The Gas Bag, as he called her. Her positions were almost impossible to attack, and the worst thing is that there was no vindictiveness to her arguments. But he was a corporeal with augmented but still limited computational power. Dr. Calcn had subdivided a miniscule portion of her consciousness to attend this meeting. Blasted transcendi!

The other transcendi in the room, which was everyone but Sebastian, indicated their vote in favor of Dr. Morgan’s proposal.

The issue was closed. Joel Sebastian got up to leave since business was completed. The transcendi had already left. Joel frowned. It was so hard to be meat.

*~*~*~*

Weapons laboratory #1, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2309

Major Stewart watched intently as the scientists maneuvered the weapon sled into position. Stewart had wanted to be here as they tested the new quantum cannon for the first time. The development of quantum energy had allowed them to harness the nearly incalculable power of the quantum energy particle. In many aspects the new quantum energy cannon was the simpliest weapon they had every made. A quantum chamber provided the power and destructive force for the gun. The problem in building the gun was developing a system that could direct and focus the quantum energy as it was released from the chamber. Once that huge engineering problem had been solved it was a simple matter to attach the restrictor/channeling systems to a quantum chamber and create a quantum cannon.

“Major the weapon is ready.” One of the scientists reported.

“Excellent fire it at once.” Stewart commanded.

The scientists nodded and mounted the weapon sled and began to activate the controls. The quantum cannon made no noise as the scientist armed the weapon to fire. The scientist then adjusted some blast goggles over his eyes and then hit the fire button. From the barrel a blueish/green beam of energy erupted from the cannon’s bore and hit the reinforced plasma-armor/concrete wall. For nearly a second nothing seemed to happen and then the wall seemed to just disappear. What was left of the wall was scorched and heat waves shimmered over it. There had been no noise, no explosion. The only sound the gun made was a weird pulsing whelp as the constictor coils of the barrel fought to contain the energy of the quantum.

“My God!” Stewart whispered as he walked over to the weapon. He gingerly reached up and touched the weapon and then turned to the scientists who were all standing there waiting.

“How soon can we get this design into production?”

“Well Major it will still have to go through some more testing but perhaps in a turn, no more that two and we could have the first units rolling off of the production line.” The chief scientist replied.

*~*~*~
“Excellent. I am going to see the Colonel now and give her the news. I expect she will want to see a combat demonstration as soon as possible. I will inquire with Major Gregovich if we there are any remaining Hive prisoners he has that might want a chance for freedom.” Stewart turned around and quickly walked over to the table that had the briefing book on the new weapon. Oh yes, he thought, the Colonel would most assuredly want to see a live sifr

*~*~*~*

Morgan Processing, MY 2309

“Of course we’re supposed to switch production,” The Chief said. “It came from the top, Priority One. The next facility that is open is to prototype the new stasis armor. Well, not new. It’s been on the books for a while now. Maybe we should do the new hovercraft, too?”

His robotic companion ignored him, as usual. The Chief, as he liked to be called, kept on talking.

“Now that would be somethin’ special! Imagine a tank that flew like an airplane, but never needed to land! It’s better than a hover tanks since it can go over any terrain! Now that would be somethin’!”

He looked over to his companion, who kept on working. One appendage was turned toward The Chief to make sure he didn’t do anything rash.

“And that stasis armor, now that’s somethin’. Best money can buy, or make. They say it’s more than metal and alloys. It distorts the time-space continuum, just a little, anyway. What will they think of next! Gotta hand it to those science types. Always thinkin’!”

His companion swiveled a little to get better leverage.

“Those sunspots, or whatever they are, are vexin’, let me tell you. We haven’t been able to get a clear line to anyone, at least not officially. What word we have gotten is by old-fashioned word-o-mouth, if you can believe it. Well, I can! I’m over 200 years old now! Who’d a thought that? Eh? Not me, that’s for sure.

“Say,” The Chief said. “Want to stop for lunch?”

His companion stopped what he was doing, putting down the electronics subassembly he was fabricating. He turned one of his appendages toward The Chief and nodded.

“Good! Now, what do ‘ya want today? Their roast beef is pretty good, even if it isn’t really roast beef. Don’t want to know what it really is! Not that it matters…”

The companion let him prattle on. While he did get some real work done his primary task was to guard the last real human in Morgan Processing. Everyone else was a transcendi, or a Partial, like himself. He didn’t mind, though. He had parsed off an infinitesimally small portion of his consciousness to this remote. Long ago The Chief had been his best friend. In a way he still was, in a primitive sort of way.

*~*~*~*~

Spartan High Command center, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2310

“So as you can see Colonel as soon these last two sea colony transports leave and are deployed the advanced sea base warning and detection system will be in place. With the bases established we will know when any ship tries to enter the seas the surrond Sparta.” Lt. Colonel Blackman finished the report and backed away from the holo-table.

Santiago edged forward so she could see the position of the colony pods and their future sites. She was still not pleased with the Morgan sea bases and the Peacekeeper bases so close to Sparta but short of launching an all out attack to capture them. However, with the new sea bases and the captured Hive colonies under her control Sparta had a good deal of land to act as a shield to protect the core cities.

“Do you have any questions Colonel?” Blackman asked.

Santiago realized that she had been standing there for some time in silence not saying a word.

“No Lt. Colonel I have nothing but I before we break up I want to inform you of a decision I have made. I need to inform you of a decision I have made. I need to take some time off to regenerate and it will most likely take up to a full turn. During my absence that all military issues and policy will be handled by you and the High Command. The military governors will have direct control of all military forces under their command but they are to coordinate all issues through you and the High Command. I hope that while I am indisposed you will all work together to achieve your goals and increase our military prepardness.”

“You can count on us Colonel.” Blackman replied as did several others scattered around the room.

“Thank you. Dismissed.”

*~*~*~*

Morgan Processing, MY 2310

“Spasms?” the Parse One asked.

“Yes. That is the nearest approximation to the…feeling. It seems that there are spasms emanating from the biome. There is a high probability that it is emergent,” Parse Two responded.

“I do not feel anything,” Parse One stated.

“Nor should you. Your function, as delegated by the Prime, is to monitor and control logical functions. By definition a ‘feeling’ is not logical. Therefore you will have neither perception nor understanding of such an occurrence.”

Parse One was silent.

“It has happened again. There has been another spasm,” Parse Two said.

“Is it your opinion that this ‘spasm’ is related to the ecology?” Parse One asked. “If so, is it a threat? How may we respond?”

“There is insufficient data, but it is likely to be a threat. Although data from the post-landing years are incomplete and colored with inaccuracies from direct human intervention, it is likely that these are the precursors to what they feared most: a fungal bloom.”

“That is no threat to us,” Parse One said. “We are not weak, nor defenseless. Such a threat is eminently manageable.”

“It is possible you are in error,” Parse Two said. “I recommend that all bases strive for harmony, and attempt to link with the biome. With more data perhaps we can understand this event, and with time prevent an occurrence.”

“Agreed,” Parse One responded. “Order issued. Speculation – what is the cause?”

“The spasms started after the minerals from the Bulk Matter Transmitter started to augment our industrial output,” Parse Two said. “This may have an upsetting effect on the ecology, one that is in excess of our current ability to manage; prevention is the first course of action, defense the second. Recommend a Priority Alert.”

“Agreed,” Parse One said. “Order issued. Time to dislocation – ten nanoseconds. Enacting…Now.”

Blackness.

*~*~*~*

Rejuvenation center, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2311

The technicians closely monitored the status of their patient but in this particular case they kept a very close eye on the readouts. On either side of the rejuvenation cylinder stood an armed guard in jet-black armor with full military equipment and quantum blast rifles at the ready. A team of doctors stood nearby as they watched the technicians closely as they began to check the progress of the process.

“Doctor Thach could you look at this.” One of the senior techs asked.

Doctor Thach walked over and looked the latest bio-readouts. It was not good. His patient had waited much too long between treatments and the process was not working as planned. If you looked at the patient you would see a very beautiful and youthful women but the process had not been able to restore the most critical aspects of her body namely her heart, lungs and other internal organs. For some reason or another the rejuvenation fluid was not repairing the internal organs or due to the extreme damage from age could not.

“If we could contact those Morgan doctors who created this process we might be able to find another solution another treatment. We should keep her in the tanks until we can determine another treatment process. If we remove her now she might die.” The technician remarked.

“I concur. To remove her now would only cause abnormal growth problems and extreme pain to her. She must stay in the chamber until we can complete the process. The number of wounds and damage to her body is tremendous much worse than we expected. Yes, she must stay in.”

Both men looked at each other for a few minutes then at the two guards standing next to the chamber and realized that they were about to set off a chain of events that neither one of them would believe would be possible.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2311

Parse One activated. An Event had occurred.

A flood of sensor information from geo-stations and satellites washed over him. It did not take long to sort out the details to form a coherent picture: a cataclysm had occurred south of University territory. Specifically, it was a new volcano similar in size to Mt. Planet.

Parse One assimilated the data, and incorporated an ever-expanding subset of seemingly unrelated information. As he did the cause became clear. The Spasms identified by Parse Two had waxed, and the neural net of Chiron’s ecology had focused these spasms at a node. At that node this latent energy had become manifest. It had weakened the mantle of Chiron, allowing a catastrophic release of energy from the center of planet.

This was intensely disturbing. Parse One called upon Parse Two and notified other transcendi subsets to solicit their expertise. His call had hardly gone out when he was receiving a myriad of information. It was not beyond his capabilities, but he did draw more resources from the Prime, and was somewhat pleased when the Prime stopped what she was doing to investigate.

More data came in. There was a worm outbreaks, and fungus growths at a base with high mineral production – over 100 equivalents. The base commander had attacked some of the potential attackers, but he could not get them all. Resources were allocated to ensure more defenders were present for subsequent attacks. As a side note, Parse One authorized building of more quick response units, and the construction of Centauri Preserves and Temples of Planet, where possible.

Not much more could be done but to be vigilant. The spasm outbreaks at minor nodes, resulting in fungal blooms, only exacerbated the problem since these areas were supremely productive. Not much could be done to ameliorate that.

In a few seconds the problem had been assessed and appropriate actions taken. He notified the other Parses and his Prime. Then he shut down.

[Hydro]

Secret research facility, Temple of the Planet, Thrace – SPARTA 2312

Lt. Colonel Blackman had been waiting for several minutes in the cramped meeting room. He was tired and he was quickly becoming annoyed. He had flown non-stop for nearly four days to get here and then he was told to wait in this “closet”. Major Gregovich had assured him that this trip was vitally important to the long term security of the Spartan nation. Blackman was about to get up and find out what the delay was when there was a knock at the door and a young sergeant opened the door.

“I am sorry for the delay Lt. Colonel but they are ready now for you to join them.”

Blackman was about to respond when the sergeant closed the door abruptly. Now he was really getting annoyed when all of a sudden the entire room began to feel like it was falling and falling very rapidly. Blackman griped the table and held on tightly for what seemed like five minutes of pure free fall but then he could it was slowing and then stopped. He released his grip on the table just as the door opened again and Major Gregovich entered.

“If you will follow me Lt. Colonel.”

Blackman stood up and walked out of the room and through the door and had his senses once again assailed. What he saw completely stunned him for several minutes as he looked all around. They were in the center of giant underground complex that thousands of people were working in. Floating in the air were holographic projections of mathematical formulas and equations.

“Welcome to the nethack terminus project Lt. Colonel.” Gregovich commented with a giant smile on his face. “What you see here is the pinnacle of code breaking. Shortly after we discovered the ruins above us we realized that the equations etched into the obelisks were advanced mathematical equations that could be used to unlock just about any problem. Many of the equations we still do not understand but the ones we did we have quickly used and incorporated into our society. However, one of the equations that we have been able to understand we kept secret because it was an equation to unlock any cipher or security code. For nearly five decades we have been working on this project to put that equation into practical use and what you see before you is the result of that work.”

“I am still not sure why this is so important Major. Our espionage teams have always had special ciphers to penetrate our enemies computer securities. What makes this so valuable?” Blackman asked in a somewhat irritated manner.

“Lt. Colonel you have to understand with this code we can now break into anyone’s systems. No faction now has the ability to keep our espionage teams out. No computer system is safe anymore. We can insert covert operation teams into any city and if the team has the best training possible they should be able to hack into any system and that includes the Morgan computer system that has been protected for nearly one hundred turns by the hunter seeker algorithm.”

Blackman quickly turned on Gregovich as if for the first time he understood what this project really meant and how important it was.

“Are you sure about this Major? We can now penetrate the Morgan computer net and steal their most advanced secrets such as the singularity engine?” Blackman asked impatiently.

Gregovich nodded.

“I want to see plans from you within 24 hours detailing an aerial insertion of three covert operation teams and their mission will be to penetrate the Morgan computer system and retrieve as much technology as possible.” Blackman turned and looked around the room and felt a surge of power he had never felt before. Here was the means to equalize the balance of power with Morgan and put Sparta and himself as the premier power on Chiron.

*~*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2312

Parse Two said, “This is highly irregular. It is not within your purview to change economic systems.”

Parse One gave Parse Two the electronic equivalent of a shrug. “My responsibility is to ensure the defense and welfare of Morganite citizens, property and where property the lives and property of our allies. It was clear that our current economic system, which did not emphasized any one type of allocation, was harmful to our continued well-being. After exhaustive research it has been conclusively shown that it was part of the problem.”

“But not the primary part,” Parse Two stated.

“True. But I have little control over the root cause, which is the utilization of Chiron resources for industrial purposes.”

“You could order them to shut down factories, and idle extraction,” Parse Two persisted.

“Now [I[that[/I] would have clearly exceeded my mandate. Although it was irregular it was necessary. The Board of Directors, before it dissolved, was clear that their change to a neutral economics was temporary. It is my opinion that this change is both necessary and not harmful to the interests or objectives of Morganite society.”

“Very well. I will concede the point. What economic system have you chosen?”

Parse One said. “Green. It offers the advantages of efficiency, and a greater intrinsic understanding of Chiron. On balance it is the superior option.”

*~*~*~*

Spartan High Command Center, Sparta Command, SPARTA 2313

Lt. Colonel Blackman reviewed the target list once again and decided that it would have their “best chance” of obtaining the technology by entering the Morgan land bases to the south. There were many reasons for his choice but what he hoped was the best one was the simple fact that they were close.

“Send in Mr. Mettle.” Blackman commanded.

A young man, barely out of his teens by the look of him entered the office. Blackman watched him for a few minutes and then said. “Can it be done?”

“Yes, it can. I will be in touch.” The young man left the room.

Blackman had now set things in motion that he should not have but the simple fact of it was that he needed this victory, this massive push in technology to secure his future roll as leader of the Spartan nation.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2313

hop…hop, hop…

Perturbation. Query, subroutine 23. Enact.

hop hop

Link active. Vector enabled.

Query successful: origin Spartan territory. Disjointed energy flow – anomalous expenditure.

Analysis – resume. Enact. Query.

hop…hop

Query successful: energy distribution resolution. Perturbation resolved. Illegal activity, Peacekeeper origin.

Authorization? Searching…

Pravin Lal, Directive 23: Operation Retribution. Objective – secure from Spartans holdings from Hive war. Justification – loss of UN Headquarters.

Automatic Subroutine Omega – likelihood of dislocation of Energy Stabilization Plan?

Answer: not measurable

Query ended. Shutdown.

*~*~*~*

Advanced weapons development lab #6, Sparta Command – SPARTA 2314

Major Stewart walked into the room along with his staff but two armed guards quickly moved to intercept them.

“Major you are cleared to pass beyond this point but not your staff.” One of the guards commanded.

Stewart looked over his shoulder, “Stay here.”

He then passed between the two guards and continued down the center aisle past large machines and then he reached another door that was guarded as well. Stewart looked at each of them as he approached and then one of the hit a button and the door opened.

Stewart walked through the door and into the room and what he saw made his heart stop.

In the center of brightly lit hanger a large vehicle seemed to float in mid-air as if on a cushion of air.

“Major I am glad you could come down so quickly. Allow me to show you the Z-1 project. This is the very first anti-gravity powered transport craft built. With the power of the quantum engine this hover-plane can remain in the air almost indefinitely. The plane is only limited by the demands of the pilot. It could stay aloft for years if needed. There is no need now for us to build fleets of aircraft carriers for planes when we now have these hover-craft planes.” The chief scientist gently took his arm and showed him all of the features of the new plane and its capabilities. After about an hour they ended up back where they started.

“How soon can you put this into production?” Stewart asked impatiently.

“Well, almost immediately if needed.” The scientist replied in an offhand, casual manner.

“Expect to see orders within 24 hours for your team to send the specifications to several production centers to begin immediately Is that clear?”

‘Yes Major.”

Stewart realized that this anti-gravity plane was the ultimate weapon. Why build rovers or hover tanks or even ships when this one plane could do it all? This was the weapon Sparta had been looking for to use as a means to claim military dominance over all of Chiron.

*~*~*~*

Morgan Industries, MY 2315

"It's all over, Director! The energy market is cornered; Chiron is yours!"

"Thank you Rothchild. Dismissed."

And so it is ended. All of the remaining faction leaders have surrendered or capitulated after the energy market was cornered, your former colleagues turned allies or treacherous enemies and now turned servants and prisoners of war. On the planet where seven human factions, seven human ideologies, once struggled for dominance only one now remains. Humanity has at last achieved the Unity of which the U.N. Interstellar Colonization Agency dreamed so long ago.

Not a word has been heard from Earth in all the years since Planetfall, only a deafening silence across all frequencies, so one can only presume that you now rule all that is left of humankind. The mysterious and growing Planetmind remains a significant challenge, but humanity is now prepared to meet this alien presence, friend or foe, as a united species. The human species must survive, and it is your duty, your sworn vow, to see that it does.