He paused immediately, noting the tone in her voice. "If it's that she has the hots for Captain Bailey then that's no secret, sis. I already told you. The whole crew knows. Except for the captain himself."

  "No, it's nothing to do with that. This is serious. She and Molloy are here to turn Mars into a weapons testing ground. Yorktown was loaded with a new developmental particle beam weapon. Did you know anything about this?"

  Jackson put down his tools and stood up. "Calm down, Georgia. Of course I didn't know. Why would I? I assume Bailey knows."

  Georgia took a deep breath. "Yes, I had it out with him last night. That's how I found out. The program has been approved by the White House so there's nothing I can do about it."

  "No wonder you're pissed. I can't believe they didn't inform you after what you've achieved here. Surely there must be something you can do. It's not like you to give up so easy."

  "I could disrupt the testing. But our other friends on the planet are doing exactly the same thing. If I prevent Professor Duncan from completing her research, then I'm allowing other countries to get an advantage over us."

  Captain Bailey's voice suddenly boomed from the darkness, less than ten yards away. "That wouldn't be a wise move, Georgia. But then neither is sharing classified information with your brother!"

  "Oh fuck!" muttered Georgia. "Sir, you really shouldn't creep up on people like that."

  "I followed you out. And it's a good thing that I did. Both of you to my quarters now. We need an urgent discussion, in private."

  ***

  Standing stiffly in Bailey's quarters, Georgia was still fighting hard to control her feelings of anger and embarrassment at being caught out so easily. Keeping her emotions in check was a big problem for her at the moment. She immediately regretted speaking to Jackson. Now, he was standing next to her and in trouble through no fault of his own. In front of her, Captain Bailey was pacing up and down in silence, his hands clasped in front of him. It was making her uncomfortable.

  "Sir, there's no reason for Jackson to be here," she pleaded. "He's done nothing wrong. I'm sure we can sort this out between us."

  Bailey paused briefly, looked at her, and then continued his pacing.

  Finally, he stopped and said. "You've put me in a very difficult situation. It's one thing to harangue Professor Duncan when she is following my orders. Sharing classified details of our mission with your brother is entirely different. It can easily put you both in jail for a very long time."

  Georgia looked across at her brother who was now very pale and staring into the distance. She knew he wasn't enjoying any of this. He was a free spirit and not used to following orders. While she felt sorry for him, there was a matter of principle she had to deal with. "What did you expect when you told me about the weapons program? You turn up on my doorstep and want to turn my home into a firing range with no notice. It's a distinct lack of respect and trust."

  "Trust works both ways!" Bailey shouted before taking a deep breath to calm himself. "I trusted you with the information I shared last night. I trusted that you could see I was sharing information when I had no authority to do so. I trusted that we could work together, with you as my deputy."

  "Are you looking for trust or obedience?" Georgia replied, with no intention of backing down. "I can prove that I'm trustworthy. You've seen my record. But if you want a second in command that won't stand up to you or question some of your decisions, then you've picked the wrong person."

  "Fuck it, Georgia. Take ownership for your mistake."

  "I think she is taking ownership," interrupted Jackson. "But she doesn't think she's made a mistake. And neither do I."

  Georgia couldn't help but smile, even as Bailey glared at both of them. She realized there was very little the captain could do to punish either of them without incriminating himself. The situation was awkward, to say the least.

  After some further pacing, Bailey stopped in front of Jackson and said, "You're dismissed. Return to your work and say nothing about the weapon to anyone." Jackson looked questioningly at Georgia who directed him to leave while the going was good.

  Bailey slumped into his chair and rubbed his eyes. "What am I to do with you though? Should I select someone else in your place?"

  Georgia tried to make light of the situation. "You know what they say. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

  "I don't want us to be enemies. You have so much experience to offer. Why are you getting so hung up on Professor Duncan's research?"

  Georgia took a seat opposite Bailey, feeling calmer now that Jackson was no longer in the room. "You say that they have created the weapon to defend us against alien invasion. I don't buy that for a moment. Even if I did, the experience I had with the Sentinels was peaceful. They and the other alien species hold no more threat to us now than they did before we knew of their existence. The reaction of the president and other world leaders is irrational. The real reason for the weapons is far more subtle. It's to demonstrate which country has the biggest balls. Weapons testing on Mars is a sham. Each country wants to maintain its own national interests on this planet. I'm not convinced testing is required. I'd bet ten bucks that testing was completed months ago, and the weapon is fully operational."

  The expression on Bailey's face was enough to confirm Georgia's suspicions.

  "So, I'm right!" she exclaimed. "And you have the nerve to lecture me about trust when all the time you were lying to me."

  Bailey looked defeated. "What did you really expect Georgia? The American government and multinational conglomerates have spent vast sums into this venture. Taxpayers and investors are expecting to see the returns that they were promised. The slightest hint of uncertainty and the financial support will come crashing down. Didn't you think they'd want to protect their investments?"

  "Not by creating super weapons at great expense. There has to be a better way."

  "Fear was the easiest way to access the trillions of dollars required to recruit and motivate the keenest minds and for development to be pushed through. To be fair, many of the scientists involved are convinced that the particle beam can deflect asteroids from destroying Earth."

  "I'm still not convinced," said Georgia. "I want to speak with General Stockton."

  "Are you sure? You won't get a different answer from him. He's been fully behind the weapon's development for eighteen months."

  "The news just keeps getting better!" said Georgia, bitterly. "I need you both to reassure me that you're not holding anything else from me. You don't know how devastated at being kept out of the loop for so long."

  ***

  As the quantum communications system still needed to be installed at the base, Georgia found herself one hour later on Lexington's flight deck with Captain Bailey watching a recording General Stockton had made ten minutes earlier. His video was in direct response to an encrypted message from Georgia, with an introduction from Mac to explain the context.

  The aging general appeared to be alone in his office back at Houston and was looking sharp in his dress uniform. Georgia supposed there must be a formal event occurring. He looked troubled as he stared into the camera. "Thank you for your message," he began. "I've been expecting it for some time although maybe not this soon. Georgia, I'm sorry we could not brief you before Lexington arrived at Alpha Base. I'm sure Mac has explained the situation to the best of his abilities and the need for absolute discretion. I can totally understand your anger and disappointment at being kept in the dark for all this time. I take full responsibility for that decision and I remain convinced that I took the right course of action in pursuit of the national interest.

  "I knew you would object to the presence of the weapon. That is not why you weren't told. There are more important decisions to be made than considering your sensibilities. And while I am happy to have ongoing frank and open discussions with you on this matter, you will not dissuade me to mothball the particle beam program. The weapon will be a key tool in the future defense of our nation on Earth and America's assets on Mars and the Moon.

  "Will we use the weapon against a hostile alien threat? I simply do not know. I would tend to agree with your comment that it would be suicidal to attack a more advanced civilization. If they are still observing us, then they must be aware of what we have created and are capable of effecting suitable countermeasures.

  "I sincerely hope that, like the huge arsenal of nuclear missiles we've had at our disposal for the past sixty years, we never need to use this weapon in anger. But the world is becoming a crazy place. With the side effects of global warming increasing rapidly, oil reserves running out and millions of people displaced by local conflicts, governments are straining to deal with public outcry and civil unrest. I've seen nothing like it, and I don't know what the future holds. So, in that atmosphere of uncertainty, I ask you to trust me that we're doing the right thing. You don't have to like it, but I ask you to accept the situation. Stockton out."

  Georgia stayed sitting in her chair looking at the screen. With the definitive response from the general, she found herself with nowhere to go. But at least she understood the truth. Any testing of the particle beam was to make it operational. Which meant that it was likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future. "Mac, am I to understand that the particle beam has already been deployed on Earth?"

  "I never told you this, but several classified installations are being constructed across North America. Their sole purpose will be to shoot down any incoming missiles. There are also plans for two orbital platforms and installation on three of our aircraft carriers although, as Paige advised you, we are some way from an effective and accurate targeting system. Of course, those volumes will change if we discover the number of weapons being deployed by the Russians and Chinese. Theoretical modeling has shown that the weapon will be more effective on Mars and in space. That's because there's no real atmosphere to speak of that can degrade the beam."

  "Wow, we really do mean business! There was I thinking that we were starting a new arms race when in reality that race began some time ago. What is the real reason for the weapon you brought with you?"

  "Its primary purpose is a defense against unknown forces. We don't know what's going to happen on Earth. We do need to be prepared for the unexpected though. As the general said, we have some major investment here and we don't want to give them up easily if the balance of power changes back home."

  "I hope you're right," said Georgia. "Knowing that there are weapons here makes me nervous. It means we're now a target."

  Bailey stood up to make his way down to the cargo bay, and back down to their speeders on the surface. "We're a target anyway. The particle beam, once operational, will give us some teeth."

  Georgia followed him down. "Am I still your second in command? I understand if you want someone else."

  "I'm prepared to give you another chance if you'll do the same with me. We're both being influenced by politics outside of our control. If you still want to make a change, I suggest you'll have more success from the inside than as an outsider."

  Georgia appreciated that Mac had a point. She'd lose any influence she may have if she was cast to the side. "Okay, Mac. But no more surprises."

  Chapter 18

  Even though Taipei was less than two thousand yards from Shandong, it took almost thirty minutes for Major Huang to pilot the shuttle between the two vehicles. General Zhang noted that she was far more cautious than she needed to be, but that was understandable. The approach to Taipei's docking port was a delicate operation and the many hours in the flight simulator in Beijing was not the same as flying the shuttle in orbit. There were no second chances out here.

  Once securely docked, Huang was able to monitor the environmental systems on Taipei. The systems had been powered down for the trip to Mars in order to save power. Although Colonel Liu had remotely activated life support as soon as they had entered orbit, the interior temperature had still not reached a comfortable level. "I'm sorry general, but we'll have to enter in our pressure suits and helmets. It will be several hours before the ship is habitable once again."

  Zhang was annoyed by the inconvenience but wasn't prepared to wait another few hours. Huang helped the general climb into his pressure suit before passing through the airlock into Taipei. The interior was basic and lit with harsh red LED lights, which his eyes quickly became accustomed to. The corridor leading to the control center was a tight in his spacesuit, but he was able to pull himself along a ladder without too much difficulty.

  The control room itself held three banks of computer equipment and screens, designed so that the weapon could be operated by two people. The main screen incorporated the targeting scanner which, at the moment was blank. A third seat was for a pilot in the event that the flight computer could not be relied of.

  Zhang lowered himself into his seat, strapped himself in and keyed in the command code to power up the ship. Immediately, various colored lights flashed across the banks of equipment and the screens flickered into life. Zhang held his breath, waiting for warning lights to appear. The next few minutes would let him know if the ship was fully operational.

  Major Huang had also strapped herself into her seat and was monitoring the startup sequence, also waiting for any discrepancies to appear. After five minutes, both of them were satisfied to see that no red warning lights had appeared on the screens. "All systems are working, general. The only minor issue is that the batteries have been drained during the journey and currently are at sixty-eight percent of full capacity."

  "That is not enough to fire the weapon," replied Zhang. "How long will it take to charge the batteries?"

  "The solar panels have been deployed but the environmental systems have been drawing more power in order to get the ship back to temperature. I would estimate another ten hours until the batteries have recharged to ninety percent. That will be enough power to fire the weapon two or three times depending on the duration and the beam intensity."

  The continuing delays were testing Zhang's fragile patience, but on this occasion, he knew there was nothing he could do but wait. The technical issues were way beyond his level of expertise. "Okay, major, I am satisfied that there are no obvious problems. Do whatever you can to restore battery storage. Is there anything else we need to do here?"

  "I don't believe so, general. Other than the batteries, the ship is in perfect health."

  "Then return me to Shandong so that we may determine the next steps."

  ***

  Back in Shandong's briefing room, his senior and most loyal officers surrounded General Zhang. Colonel Liu was the first to speak. "Sir, I have received a communication from Beijing. They have received your message and pass on their condolences for the commander's sad loss. They would, however, appreciate a more detailed report from you explaining the circumstances surrounding Commander Ding's death. It sounds as if they intend to carry out a full inquiry."

  "I expected nothing less. The sudden death of any senior officer has to be fully explained. The matter is not important at the moment, and I will deal with it when the time is right. I am more interested to hear how the crew have taken the news."

  "There has been the odd voice of dissent, general," replied Liu. "The situation has come as a sudden shock, but they understand the situation they are in. We have reassured them that you will take care of them and there is no necessity for any further... examples to be made."

  Zhang addressed the room. "Thank you all for your efficient execution of this first stage of our plan. Now we can move on to the next phase. The particle beam weapon has survived the trip from Earth and the batteries are currently being charged to full capacity. My intent is to test it tomorrow morning. All that is left is to agree on which target to hit first."

  Colonel Liu switched on the main computer screen and brought up a graphical representation of the Martian surface with the Russian and American bases highlighted. Using the navigation computer, Liu added an overlay of Shandong's orbits around Mars for the following twenty-four hours. "You will see, general, that we pass very close to the Russian base on this orbit here." Liu pointed to a green line circling the planet. "We will have thirty-eight seconds when the base will be in range of Taipei. We will have similar opportunities on the subsequent two orbits but then we would have to wait a further seventeen hours until our we pass over the base again."

  "I understand," replied a frustrated Zhang, although he was confused by the myriad numbers and symbols in front of him. Orbital mechanics was not one of his strengths, unlike knowing when to strike his enemy at the optimum moment. "What about the Americans? Can we take them by surprise?"

  Liu nodded his head. "That is why I suggested this particular orbit. It will take us five degrees north of Alpha Base fifteen minutes after we have obliterated the Russians. We will have a direct line of sight, allowing us maybe ten seconds in which to fire a particle burst from a low angle. From that range, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of our targeting computers, and at best we could only attack one location. Their ships are spread wide and the base is protected by the cliff face."

  "That is most unfortunate. When will we have a better opportunity?"

  "Eight orbits later we will be in the correct inclination to take three or four clear shots."

  "That's no good," replied Zhang, shaking his head. "By then, the Americans will know about our attack on Derzost and be prepared for us. I want a preemptive strike. What is the status of the American weapon?"

  "The latest satellite imagery reveals that the Americans are in a hurry. They've already unloaded equipment from their ship. We can only surmise that they are preparing to test their weapon very soon, but we do not know when."

  Zhang frowned. If the Americans had time to prepare, they could establish their own weapon and potentially take out Taipei or Shandong and he would have lost his advantage. "Suggestions anyone?"

  Major Huang said, "may I remind the general that the attack on Derzost will deplete the batteries. We may not have enough power to fire the particle beam again within fifteen minutes."

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68