Old Coots and New Ones Too!
Morgan Interstellar, Central Plaza, CEO Morgan's Office
“Here is the trade, CEO,” said Colonel Jerome Motyer, standing next to Mr. Ku and the seated CEO Nwabudike Morgan. They watched the far wall; over which was the great holo-screen upon which ran the film that had been sent by the Saturn nationals. Once inserted, the video-disk revealed what was going on concerning the Saturnians and the diplomats. The image on the screen was of two men in a darkened hall. Their outlines were vaguely distinguishable due to the brilliant red color of the moon Titan, which was clearly visible through the huge plexi-glass viewing window that served as a wall for this particular area of Horizon Aida that appeared on the film. One of the two men in the image handed the other a data-disk, informing the other man that it contained “all the information on the Morgan military”. The men’s faces were barely visible in the dark of the unlit hall. Both men were dressed entirely in black, though one man, the taller, balding one, wore a strange purple tie over his suit. One could barely make out his face on the film. His gray eyes shone through the darkness, and in the red light one could see an odd brownish mark on his forehead. Morgan recognized the man instantly, and in a way he felt he recognized the mark as well.
“Who is this man?!” Morgan demanded, gesturing at the man standing beside Mr. Sym. Morgan was in one of his tempers. The treason of this man Sym, a diplomat no less, had unnerved everyone, but it made Morgan furious. He wasn’t going to stand for it. It was times like this that it was best to tactfully avoid the CEO. He was trying his best to contain his anger, however.
“That man is known to M.I.A.,” responded Mr. Ku, “he is one Ki Han, and he is a turncoat. He reported Mr. Binstead’s acts of treachery to us for the reward we gave him, and he still betrayed our military information to Sym. We are fairly sure he was a card carrying Black Shadow member…oh, well there he goes…just as my men told us he had done…” Ku gestured up at the screen. The film now showed the spy’s dying body being slammed against the plexi-glass.
“Why was this man not liquidated before all this?”
“We were not sure what he would do. Naturally we kept a file on him since the occasion of his disappearance, and now it is completed…”
“Damn,” said Morgan, “This should never have been allowed to happen, like the terrorist attack on Samnos and Naxos should never have been allowed to happen,” in his own way Morgan blamed Ku for these events, and only suggested that he was to be held responsible. After a pause, Morgan asked, “Ku, what was done with this man’s remains?”
“Our intelligence officers on Titan tell us that he was taken to one of the heating rooms and a bungled attempt to destroy his body was made. When the Saturnians found him he was barely recognizable…completely charred…”
“And now this man Sym is on the loose, capable of doing what he pleased to us. He’s probably resting on the lap of Chairman…excuse me…Emperor Yang this minute. This man is dangerous, Ku…”
“We only know too well, sir…”
“I want him dead, Ku, I don’t care how long it takes! I want that man smashed down and crushed! I want his bones broken! I want him to be smashed to dust! A fine powder!” cried Morgan. When the good CEO got into these moods it was very near impossible to be around him. Though he tried to hide it best he could, Nwabudike Morgan was a very aggressive man, and all the more so when he was angry. At this point, Morgan was barely trying to restrain himself. “Pause!” he cried, seemingly to the film itself. The disk stopped playing in accordance with Morgan’s order. The film stopped in motion as the revolting Mr. Sym turned his head to face a holo-map as the body of the dead spy slumped to the ground. Morgan knew the mark upon Sym’s forehead now. It was the mark of Cain.
“I understand, sir. I shall leave you now, if you wish…” Ku was being tactful, as usual.
“Yes, go Ku. I’ll need you later, but now you may go…” Morgan watched as Ku made his way out of the room and Lieutenant Mowangi shut the door quietly behind him. “Are the 1st Corps withdrawing from Samnos and Naxos, Motyer?” There was still a hint of anger in his voice.
“Yes, CEO, General Marmion’s forces have withdraw to Pollux G. ¾ of the population of the moons have also left for our other colonies in the system. The situation is…dangerous.”
“What is protecting those two moons now, Colonel?”
“On Samnos and Naxos there are several elite detachments of militia raised from the civilian workers of Samnos and Naxos. Fifteen orbital platforms and one orbital cannon, as well as two squadrons of corvettes and fighters protect Samnos. Naxos is protected by…I’d say around two dozen orbital platforms and one orbital cannon. The Twelfth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Merrill is also docked there. There are some good sized ships in that fleet, and if the Terrans attack they will lose large numbers of men and ships,” responded Motyer, pausing only briefly when running figures through his mind. A look of regret came upon the CEO’s face, replacing the look of anger. The frown replaced the barred teeth, so to speak.
“I fear that those two moons are lost already, and serve only as bumpers between our territory and the Terran territory. Those moons are the first line of defense, and the weakest. We have taken out a heavy chunk of their lands in Capella, but I fear they shall take a good many colonies from us…those four space docks near the area shall also fall, I think…” said Morgan softly.
“I wouldn’t count on the space docks falling easily, we have fresh defenders there. There is a whole fleet of some of the Novan’s larger ships in the region under our pay, and so we can hold our own there. There are also two Drone-built frigates in the region.”
“Oh yes, the Pirates. I had rather forgotten about them. One can never trust those buggers, however. I was somewhat hesitant of purchasing the services of mercenaries from them, but they were the best alternative to the Soldiers of God. As much as the Believers are fine soldiers, I wouldn’t want to agitate our friend Provost Randius any further than we already have. He’s hesitant to make any deals with us now that we have Believers in our pay…after what they did to his father I can understand his feelings…I usually disagreed with the methods of Zakharov, but I always respected him. He was in essence a good man, I believe…” As well as having a habit of bursting into rages of ire, the CEO had a habit of droning on and on. Motyer only pretending he was listening to Morgan when he did this. It was a rather cruel and sneaky tactic, but it was effective.
It was at this time a man from the Foreign Office walked in with a message for the CEO. Morgan took the letter hastily scrawled out by Cornelius Walker of the Foreign Office, and read with surprise and interest. A whole new system-spanning government…So Ku’s men in the Drone Republic had been correct after all…
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TRI-ENCRYPTED VISUAL MESSAGE
FROM: CEO Nwabudike Morgan
TO: Queen Maria Sanchez
Dear Queen M.,
We most humbly thank you for the message you sent us, informing us of both the traitor Sym and the ship that is to arrive at our port in several days. The information is most valuable to us.
Do not concern yourself with the loss of Mr. Sym, as I am sure that he will receive what he deserves in coming time. Even now my intelligence forces are starting to pick up his trail.
The ‘bloodhounds of the law’, as they like to call themselves, will most surely find him and do to him what he merits. At least one of these traitors has met an end fitting to their actions already, and we trust that soon the other shall meet an equally deserved fate.
We will look forward to the arrival of your vessel, Your Highness, and I am sure that we will come to a speedy arrangement in our bargains. We shall give you all you want in robotics and nano-tech if you return with bio-tech and pysch-tech. We trust that both of our governments shall greatly benefit from this exchange of information.
I really must apologize for writing such a bland letter, Queen M., but I’m afraid I have too much on my mind today. If we don’t have traitors lurking about we’ve got sabotage and invasion and the lot.
Fare well, and thank you,
-- Morgan
----
WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR NODE TODAY?
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PRIVATE VISUAL MESSAGE
FROM: CEO Nwabudike Morgan
TO: Lord Protector Ian McDiarmid
Greetings and salutations, my friend!
It was with surprise and interest that read today of the message sent by your ship in our territory. I don’t mind telling you, Lord Protector, sir, that I was mightily glad to receive your message. At first your unidentified ship looked to be some sort of Terran operation, and our own Admiral Dennis Mortimore-Clark came very near to opening fire on your ship. Such an occurrence, I am certain, would not have lead to very good relations with your people, the Protectorate.
Your message offering mediation in the war between my government and the government of the Terran Alliance is very timely, sir. I too fear that this war may start to get out of hand, so to speak. In fact it all bloody has! I think you will find, however, while reviewing the case that my government is in the right, while that of the Terrans is in the wrong. This war could have been avoided had InEn (Interplanetary Enterprises, a Terran company) not opened fire first on one of my supply ships, and then one of my diplomatic ships, as well as murder one of my diplomats. Had the Terran Alliance the foresight to take action against InEn, this war could well have been avoided, and indeed, it most certainly would have.
I trust that our governments shall soon come to a speedy agreement in terms, and we shall soon be, so to speak, on very friendly terms. Your warship in our territory, I trust, can easily serve in diplomatic negotiations. I most certainly hope this the case. Technological advance is, I think you believe, a good thing. I hope this is your relational, as it is most certainly my own. I think we can service each other quite splendidly in that field, and indeed in all forms of trade.
As for that subject, trading, I mean, how could you possibly suspect that I would, dare I say it, run up the tariffs on imports and exports? Would I, a good businessman, want to do that? That would only hinder our relations! No, while others may do such a thing, we of Morgan Interstellar can proudly state that this is neither our policy, nor indeed our style…at all!
I trust we shall come to a swift agreement in all things, Lord Protector. A tour of Neuvo San Antonio sounds like something to look forward to. I shall afterwards show you about Morgan Interstellar, our capital city. That is also a very beautiful city, as I'm sure you will agree.
Fare well, and thank you,
I trust I shall hear from you soon,
-- Morgan
====
WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR NODE TODAY?-MORGAN INTERSTELLAR...BEST DEALS IN...SPACE!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Morgan Interstellar, Central Plaza, CEO Morgan's Office
“Here is the trade, CEO,” said Colonel Jerome Motyer, standing next to Mr. Ku and the seated CEO Nwabudike Morgan. They watched the far wall; over which was the great holo-screen upon which ran the film that had been sent by the Saturn nationals. Once inserted, the video-disk revealed what was going on concerning the Saturnians and the diplomats. The image on the screen was of two men in a darkened hall. Their outlines were vaguely distinguishable due to the brilliant red color of the moon Titan, which was clearly visible through the huge plexi-glass viewing window that served as a wall for this particular area of Horizon Aida that appeared on the film. One of the two men in the image handed the other a data-disk, informing the other man that it contained “all the information on the Morgan military”. The men’s faces were barely visible in the dark of the unlit hall. Both men were dressed entirely in black, though one man, the taller, balding one, wore a strange purple tie over his suit. One could barely make out his face on the film. His gray eyes shone through the darkness, and in the red light one could see an odd brownish mark on his forehead. Morgan recognized the man instantly, and in a way he felt he recognized the mark as well.
“Who is this man?!” Morgan demanded, gesturing at the man standing beside Mr. Sym. Morgan was in one of his tempers. The treason of this man Sym, a diplomat no less, had unnerved everyone, but it made Morgan furious. He wasn’t going to stand for it. It was times like this that it was best to tactfully avoid the CEO. He was trying his best to contain his anger, however.
“That man is known to M.I.A.,” responded Mr. Ku, “he is one Ki Han, and he is a turncoat. He reported Mr. Binstead’s acts of treachery to us for the reward we gave him, and he still betrayed our military information to Sym. We are fairly sure he was a card carrying Black Shadow member…oh, well there he goes…just as my men told us he had done…” Ku gestured up at the screen. The film now showed the spy’s dying body being slammed against the plexi-glass.
“Why was this man not liquidated before all this?”
“We were not sure what he would do. Naturally we kept a file on him since the occasion of his disappearance, and now it is completed…”
“Damn,” said Morgan, “This should never have been allowed to happen, like the terrorist attack on Samnos and Naxos should never have been allowed to happen,” in his own way Morgan blamed Ku for these events, and only suggested that he was to be held responsible. After a pause, Morgan asked, “Ku, what was done with this man’s remains?”
“Our intelligence officers on Titan tell us that he was taken to one of the heating rooms and a bungled attempt to destroy his body was made. When the Saturnians found him he was barely recognizable…completely charred…”
“And now this man Sym is on the loose, capable of doing what he pleased to us. He’s probably resting on the lap of Chairman…excuse me…Emperor Yang this minute. This man is dangerous, Ku…”
“We only know too well, sir…”
“I want him dead, Ku, I don’t care how long it takes! I want that man smashed down and crushed! I want his bones broken! I want him to be smashed to dust! A fine powder!” cried Morgan. When the good CEO got into these moods it was very near impossible to be around him. Though he tried to hide it best he could, Nwabudike Morgan was a very aggressive man, and all the more so when he was angry. At this point, Morgan was barely trying to restrain himself. “Pause!” he cried, seemingly to the film itself. The disk stopped playing in accordance with Morgan’s order. The film stopped in motion as the revolting Mr. Sym turned his head to face a holo-map as the body of the dead spy slumped to the ground. Morgan knew the mark upon Sym’s forehead now. It was the mark of Cain.
“I understand, sir. I shall leave you now, if you wish…” Ku was being tactful, as usual.
“Yes, go Ku. I’ll need you later, but now you may go…” Morgan watched as Ku made his way out of the room and Lieutenant Mowangi shut the door quietly behind him. “Are the 1st Corps withdrawing from Samnos and Naxos, Motyer?” There was still a hint of anger in his voice.
“Yes, CEO, General Marmion’s forces have withdraw to Pollux G. ¾ of the population of the moons have also left for our other colonies in the system. The situation is…dangerous.”
“What is protecting those two moons now, Colonel?”
“On Samnos and Naxos there are several elite detachments of militia raised from the civilian workers of Samnos and Naxos. Fifteen orbital platforms and one orbital cannon, as well as two squadrons of corvettes and fighters protect Samnos. Naxos is protected by…I’d say around two dozen orbital platforms and one orbital cannon. The Twelfth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Merrill is also docked there. There are some good sized ships in that fleet, and if the Terrans attack they will lose large numbers of men and ships,” responded Motyer, pausing only briefly when running figures through his mind. A look of regret came upon the CEO’s face, replacing the look of anger. The frown replaced the barred teeth, so to speak.
“I fear that those two moons are lost already, and serve only as bumpers between our territory and the Terran territory. Those moons are the first line of defense, and the weakest. We have taken out a heavy chunk of their lands in Capella, but I fear they shall take a good many colonies from us…those four space docks near the area shall also fall, I think…” said Morgan softly.
“I wouldn’t count on the space docks falling easily, we have fresh defenders there. There is a whole fleet of some of the Novan’s larger ships in the region under our pay, and so we can hold our own there. There are also two Drone-built frigates in the region.”
“Oh yes, the Pirates. I had rather forgotten about them. One can never trust those buggers, however. I was somewhat hesitant of purchasing the services of mercenaries from them, but they were the best alternative to the Soldiers of God. As much as the Believers are fine soldiers, I wouldn’t want to agitate our friend Provost Randius any further than we already have. He’s hesitant to make any deals with us now that we have Believers in our pay…after what they did to his father I can understand his feelings…I usually disagreed with the methods of Zakharov, but I always respected him. He was in essence a good man, I believe…” As well as having a habit of bursting into rages of ire, the CEO had a habit of droning on and on. Motyer only pretending he was listening to Morgan when he did this. It was a rather cruel and sneaky tactic, but it was effective.
It was at this time a man from the Foreign Office walked in with a message for the CEO. Morgan took the letter hastily scrawled out by Cornelius Walker of the Foreign Office, and read with surprise and interest. A whole new system-spanning government…So Ku’s men in the Drone Republic had been correct after all…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TRI-ENCRYPTED VISUAL MESSAGE
FROM: CEO Nwabudike Morgan
TO: Queen Maria Sanchez
Dear Queen M.,
We most humbly thank you for the message you sent us, informing us of both the traitor Sym and the ship that is to arrive at our port in several days. The information is most valuable to us.
Do not concern yourself with the loss of Mr. Sym, as I am sure that he will receive what he deserves in coming time. Even now my intelligence forces are starting to pick up his trail.
The ‘bloodhounds of the law’, as they like to call themselves, will most surely find him and do to him what he merits. At least one of these traitors has met an end fitting to their actions already, and we trust that soon the other shall meet an equally deserved fate.
We will look forward to the arrival of your vessel, Your Highness, and I am sure that we will come to a speedy arrangement in our bargains. We shall give you all you want in robotics and nano-tech if you return with bio-tech and pysch-tech. We trust that both of our governments shall greatly benefit from this exchange of information.
I really must apologize for writing such a bland letter, Queen M., but I’m afraid I have too much on my mind today. If we don’t have traitors lurking about we’ve got sabotage and invasion and the lot.
Fare well, and thank you,
-- Morgan
----
WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR NODE TODAY?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PRIVATE VISUAL MESSAGE
FROM: CEO Nwabudike Morgan
TO: Lord Protector Ian McDiarmid
Greetings and salutations, my friend!
It was with surprise and interest that read today of the message sent by your ship in our territory. I don’t mind telling you, Lord Protector, sir, that I was mightily glad to receive your message. At first your unidentified ship looked to be some sort of Terran operation, and our own Admiral Dennis Mortimore-Clark came very near to opening fire on your ship. Such an occurrence, I am certain, would not have lead to very good relations with your people, the Protectorate.
Your message offering mediation in the war between my government and the government of the Terran Alliance is very timely, sir. I too fear that this war may start to get out of hand, so to speak. In fact it all bloody has! I think you will find, however, while reviewing the case that my government is in the right, while that of the Terrans is in the wrong. This war could have been avoided had InEn (Interplanetary Enterprises, a Terran company) not opened fire first on one of my supply ships, and then one of my diplomatic ships, as well as murder one of my diplomats. Had the Terran Alliance the foresight to take action against InEn, this war could well have been avoided, and indeed, it most certainly would have.
I trust that our governments shall soon come to a speedy agreement in terms, and we shall soon be, so to speak, on very friendly terms. Your warship in our territory, I trust, can easily serve in diplomatic negotiations. I most certainly hope this the case. Technological advance is, I think you believe, a good thing. I hope this is your relational, as it is most certainly my own. I think we can service each other quite splendidly in that field, and indeed in all forms of trade.
As for that subject, trading, I mean, how could you possibly suspect that I would, dare I say it, run up the tariffs on imports and exports? Would I, a good businessman, want to do that? That would only hinder our relations! No, while others may do such a thing, we of Morgan Interstellar can proudly state that this is neither our policy, nor indeed our style…at all!
I trust we shall come to a swift agreement in all things, Lord Protector. A tour of Neuvo San Antonio sounds like something to look forward to. I shall afterwards show you about Morgan Interstellar, our capital city. That is also a very beautiful city, as I'm sure you will agree.
Fare well, and thank you,
I trust I shall hear from you soon,
-- Morgan
====
WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR NODE TODAY?-MORGAN INTERSTELLAR...BEST DEALS IN...SPACE!
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