Jovian Gate
“Jovian gate this is Pax fleet number one. Requesting opening of Catapult to bring in colony ships.”
‘Pax ship, this is Jovian gate Sol. You are cleared for entry. Welcome home.’
Onlookers watched from the colonies around Jupiter as the ring around the planet began to turn. The planet began to look increasingly concave, and all of a suddne, the center of the planet disappeared. Through the catapult, thousands of ships began to pour through the hole in space. They headed for Earth.
Hikaru stood in front of the mirror, he was smartly dressed in a 1920’s style Tuxedo, he turned and looked, then looked again, “I dont know, this is nice but She is wearing a Kimono, why dont I dress in an apropriate matching outfit?” he said
as an aide’s Newton beeped for attention, he looked at it then turned to Hikaru,
“Sir, Pacifica and Prometheus both report Packilvanian ships entering the system via the Jovian jump gate.”
Hikaru nodded, “Bout time they get back, have they contacted the planet or one of out ships yet?”
“No they seem to be operating silent” replied the aide
“well, " Hikaru said, " make sure our ships and other apropriate entities know of the return, and Contact Lucifer’s ship and coordinate the proper welcome with him if they deem it apropriate”
the aide nodded and stepped into a changing booth for the work.
Battlestar Galactica
Command and Control Center
“Commander, I have numerous Dreydus contacts exiting Jovian Hypergate, counting two…no, three thousand plus.” The sensors officer for Galactica gulped as the computer brought up more information. “Computer identifies all vessels as Packilvanian in origin. Too far out to confirm if they are war vessels.”
“Set Condition One,” Adama stated, glancing at his XO, before looking to the communications officer. “Sent a message to the Octogan…”
“…reporting the arrival of the vessels.” The officer finished.
“No.” Adama stated. “They’ll detect them soon enough. Just send one word, highest encryption: nightmare.”
“Aye aye.”
Liberty City - The Octagon
Tactical Control Room C
“Well, sir, we should be prepared to bring back the 3rd within the month.” The army general stated, motioning to the large map of the Port Lyon Federation that occupied the center of the room. “The Federation’s 6th Mechanized Division will replace it.”
“Excellent.” Chris stated. “Before long, we’ll be able to fully withdraw from…”
The Secretary of Defense was interrupted as a young officer burst into the room, quickly saluting the group of command officers standing before him before running up to Herfeld. “Secretary, you need to see this.”
“Lieutenant, I’m in the middle of a meeting.” Chris stated, as he pulled out his glasses.
The young officer nodded. “I know, sir, but…this couldn’t wait.”
Putting on his glasses, Herfeld took the peice of paper in the lieutenant’s hands, unfolding it. After only a second, he swore. “Well, I’d say your right about that one, Lieutenant.” He turned to the assembled officers. “Ladies and Gentlemen, you will have to excuse me, I’m afraid this needs to be dealt with immediately.”
Saluting the officers, Herfeld hurried out, the Lieutenant following. As soon as the door closed behind him, Chris took off at a sprint down the hall, the younger man shocked at the elder’s speed. Reaching the Central Command Room, Herfeld rushed in, coming to a stop just inside the door. “I NEED THE WATCH OFFICER, NOW!”
A general turned from the central table to face the Secretary of Defense. “Yessir?”
“General, as of this moment, I am declaring a Defense Emergency.” Herfeld stated, saluting the man. “All active officers are to be recalled from leave; all reservists activated; all registered militia organizations are to be asked for volunteers. The Civil Air Guard is to be activated.”
“Uh…yessir.” The general stated. “Might I ask…”
“Nightmare.” The Secretary of Defense stated. “That’s what. Send all units to full alert. Get the WMD people on the line, tell them I need every nuke we have ready to fire immediately. Commanders should be advised that we are facing a threat from the Alpha 1 Enemy.”
“Yessir.”
Turning, Herfeld faced the Lieutenant. “You got anything to do?”
“No, sir, I’m just…”
“Good. Get your ass over to the Department of International Relations, tell them you’re there to see Boris Kresnov, and don’t talk to anyone but him. If anyone asks, just keep saying the word: “nightmare.” Most of the Diplomatic Corps knows what that means. Once you’re in his office, tell Kresnov he needs to get permission from the Coocoostanis to launch nuclear strikes from their territory, that he needs to contact all of our friends in the region, and that our EPTO guy needs to get his ass in gear.”
The lieutenant nodded. “Anything else, sir?”
“No, now move.” Turning, Herfeld faced the general again. “Get in touch with the NPA, tell them we need all high ranking government official at safety, immediately.” He took a breath. “I’ve got to go brief the president. I assume you know the specifics of Defense Plan A?” The general nodded. “Then see to it. Goodbye and good luck.”
Turning, Herfeld rushed from the room. By the time he’d reached his car, alarms were sounding across the building, as the FPS Military began rushing to alert status. By the time he’d reached the Blue House, he could hear the sirens wailing at Liberty City Air Force Base.
Cape Ward
Vladistock Space Initiative HQ
The young officer leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of coffee as he started his shift, and as he quickly scanned the monitors something had changed, and small lights around his station began lighting up. Immediately pressing a call button for his CO he leaned in to get a closer look. “Well I’ll be…”.
“What is it Kristich? This had better be good” the older officer said as he approached.
“Well, err… not exactly sir” he said, leaning back again. “Our long range sattelites are showing their origin to be some sort of jump gate near jupiter. Our allies have confirmed them as a Packilvanian fleet.” The General sighed as he said this, as if he was expecting it, and just stared at the monitors.
“This will definately put a delay on the launch of our fleet.” He said, finally.
“Why’s that sir?” the officer replied, but the General had already hurried out to carry the news.
E.A.N. Longhorne
Bridge
“Departure stations, prepare to bring up to warp on the double; Maxia Zeta needs these supplies before the next storm hits,” said Captain Ranson, as she exited her Ready Room.
Quickly her crew moved to their stations, as Ranson expected of them, then the Operations station started to make a chirp
Looking back at her officer, “Report?” Ranson said with curiosity
“I’m reading activity from…the Jovian Gate, ma’am; it is Packilvanian signatures.” said the Ops officer
“Send a communication to ASN Command informing them, if they do not already know,” she said then turned to her helm officer, “Miss McGuinn, bring us underway; warp five then warp seven when we leave the system.”
Dovakhanese Department of Security - Division of the Nuclear Deterrent
Esplanade of Khanates, Tkânâtdövâkhîastâât, Republic-Khanates of Dovakhan
«Our satellite, Dôvâkhîaît, has detected major activity at a Packilvanian interstellar transport terminal known as the Jovian Gate. We also have confirmation that everyone else is thinking the same thing, thanks to intel reports from ÊspîöDöv» the Director of Security reported to the head of the Nuclear Deterrent.
«What are the Khagan-Chancellor’s orders?» the Sub-Director asked.
«Khagan-Chancellor Jân Drâpö has given carte blanche to his deputy, Director Êfösêbâd, so he may attend to his sick wife. He told me to alert the military and especially Dövâtôm, but he would like to think that Dovakhan’s history of good relations with the Pax will allow us to avert any possible crisis» the Director replied.
«I’ll make the call» the Sub-Director told his boss.
After the Director had left the room, the Sub-Director called the general stationed at the main nuclear silo to tell him to ready the missiles in case the need might arise. For all the controversy it had caused, an independent nuclear arsenal was proving to be quite useful.
The Northern Grand Duchy Solanthus The NISA HQ
Closing the folder, Lord Arak Trevalin glanced towards the window, observing the sunset for a brief moment, fully aware that it could have been his last moment of relax for the next weeks. Sighing, he turned towards the man in front of him.
«So will there be anything we can do?»
«No, Sir. Absolutely nothing. Should they decide to directly attack us, we estimate we could resist for a couple of weeks at best and that only if they wont simply push a button and unleash some kind of nuclear holocaust against us. On the contrary should we simply be involved into a planet-scale conflict uhm our troops could offer some kind of support»
«Support? Are you saying »
«Yes, Sir. We would be forced to play a background role. We could take care of the conventional part of the attack but having no kind of space fleet, we would be simply harmless against their main battleships»
«What about orbital damn. We arent in Irem any more»
«Yes and with all our hostile programs stopped because of funding problems, well be nothing else but spectators»
«What about EPTO? Hows it reacting?»
The operative grinned, shaking his head.
«Reacting? The EPTO? I suppose youre joking. The General Secretariat will probably stay inactive and the FPSian will drown in their own forms before organizing a credible strategy. Moreover probably even EPTO wont be able to challenge the Pax. After all, only East Malaysia has a decent orbital fleet and FPS, to some point. Thats all, I think. No other members have space tech»
«That leaves »
«The Loopites. And the Kandarinese. Which, as far as the Grand Duchy is concerned, is equal to a plain zero. We have no relations with the former and those with the latter can be described as cold at best»
«Reziel wont like this news»
«I suppose hell have to live with his own disappointment»
«I suppose youre right. Very well alert everyone, both up here and in Airbus. We wait to see what happens. There is a chance theyve not bad intentions»
«Sure, Sir. Sure»
KFS Vendetta
South Indian Ocean staging area
High orbit
“Are they armed?” The Political Liaison’s voice was surprisingly calm as the scanners slowly assembled a full picture of the Pax fleet in the bridge’s holopool. “I know it’s a silly question, but…”
“Not armed enough. There are escorts here, here and…mostly here.” Admiral Khaz pointed to several clusters of ships fore, aft and above the main group. The icons lit up as he ran his fingers through them. “But I must stress the word…escorts. Hardly any capital ships, no behemoths, no carriers. We’re reading a lot of warm bodies and not enough guns from those ships. It’s a recolonization…or an invasion.”
“Let’s presume it’s the latter. Worst case. What do we do?”
“I haven’t spent enough time thinking about that.” Khaz said. In truth, he’d spent quite a lot of time thinking about it. A situation such as this demanded a high margin of ‘enough’.
“Can we stop it?”
“Yes and no. We could destroy a lot of those ships before they make planetfall, but the repercussions would be…very ugly. If they’re hostile, it’ll be easier once they hit the ground. But I’m not going to gamble an interstellar war on that hostility. We’ll wait for proof.”
The Liaison nodded. “I’ll relay that to the Cabinet.”
“Good. Also, tell them that we’re going active with Reubenstein. We’ll have to pull out some of our ops if things get too hot. We’ve already dispatched teams to Liberty City, Tasman, and Cupertino, but there’ll be a lot more on the ground in six hours.”
“Understood.” The Liaison saluted and headed for the exit. “I’ll have a copy of my communique on your desk in ten minutes.”
The fleet picked up a lot of radio chatter on the way. They slowed as they approached mars, and most of the ships settled into orbit. About a hundred ships however, accelerated and headed for Earth at High speed.
Hikaru finished with the fitting and turned the suit over to the tailor,
“thank you Gen sama, you are the only tailor to not put a pin in me,”
Gen laughed, “What if I did put the pins in you, Perhaps they were coated with
a numbing agent”
Hikaru mulled this over for a moment, “well, if you did, it is a good idea, I really hate being poked with pins”
Gen bowed and exited the room,
Yugitaka returned with his newton in hand, “Sir, reports are in from Prometheus and Pacifica, most of the Packilvanian fleet has taken a high orbit around Mars, however several of the ships are still headed for the planet at high velocity”
Hikaru nodded, he found himself doing that often as of late, Usually when Hitomi was showing him some new piece of Weddign paraphenalia, “well, keep the line open, and if Tlant calls, ask if he wishes to RSVP for the wedding, other than that there is little we can do at the moment,”
Yugitaka stares in disbelief
“also, I wish you to contact a pilot for me, Nesereff, one of the Race, have her come to my office at her earliest convenience”
Yugitaka nods as Hikaru sits at the desk and opens the laptop to see if Monkeyfist has had any progress.
10km east of Packilvanian Coocoostan border,18km west of Anadahl
It was just another routine patrol. Yuri Ragudin had recently moved over from the Army into the Interior Secretariat Troops after five years. They’d made him a Corporal, it roughly translated to a Sergeant in the abbreviated world of the Secretariat. There was just the three of them, patrolling a rural route towards Packilvania. Of course, the road didn’t actually go there. Like the Trans-Coocoostan highway on the other side of the River Oud, the road ended 10 klicks shy of the line. The river had been the focus of a public works project, where the water had been redirected into almost a large pit, sort of a moat. It was only in the Anadahl area as it was the highest risk area of the western frontier.
The reason that armed patrols made any sense was simple. The Packilvanians were not officially recognized by the government and drones(along with any other non-human life) weren’t allowed in the country. At the same time, the government wasn’t belligerent about them. They were a highly advanced society of robots, or something close to it. They had spaceships, large ones, capable of travelling incomprehensibly far. There were also billions of them. It was hardly a knock on Coocoostan that if the horde chose to invade, there wouldn’t be much of an invasion, they would just arrive. But, why nobody knew, they didn’t. Coocoostan didn’t know too much about them, only about twenty Coocoostanis had seen drones in the FPS, plus whoever saw them on vacation. They were coldly methodical and would invade if there was a reason. The patrols, the moat and the lack of diplomatic relations were meant to give them none. Anyone attempting to enter Packilvania was to be arrested. It rarely happened. Still, they needed to be vigilant. It would take only one getting through to be a disaster. At 0345, the next three man team walked out to meet them and by 4 they were asleep. They at breakfast around 9 and went home to keep sleeping. They’d kept everyone in, which was their only goal, as keeping the pax out would prove futile.
#1 Avenue of Heroes
It was a regularly scheduled cabinet meeting, but still tense. The Interior Secretary spoke next. “…because of the increased space traffic, Buran’s launch will be pushed back. As a result of that, Mirya’s mission will be moved as well. Ondakabad says the extra time will be welcome and they agree our tiny vessel has no business being there in such a tense situation.”
President Andrei Pakhomov was curious. “Again, exactly how large is the vessel?”
“Not large sir. Do you have a picture? No? At any rate, it’s only slightly larger than a regular space shuttle. 5 feet longer, maybe one foot higher. It’s not on the same level as most of the other space vessels around.”
“Alright then, the mission is postponed indefinetely.” the president was decisive.
“Now. As far as precautions, let me be clear. We must not overtly prepare for war. It would only give our enemies a reason to become belligerent. General Murphy is already overseeing that the military will quietly ready itself, but he reminded me that many of our troops are in Bai Lung Dalu, or in the former Darrowmere, plus the Airborne division is still in the CAO. The key will be with you Nadia.”
He looked at Nadia Tereshkova, the Foreign Secretary. “We must maintain a complete grasp of what is going on in the other capitals of the region, have you heard anything to date?”
“Yes Mr. President, we’ve had a request just a few days ago from the Free Pacifican government to authorize them to use nuclear weapons from our territory. They are overtly preparing for war, all reserves are activated, they’re recalling anyone on leave…”
Pakhomov spoke again. “Their…overreaction is understandable, they after all have had a serious crisis already with the drones. I believe some are still occupying a small city?”
“Yes Comrade Pres…” Tereshkova froze.
“Please Nadia, continue.” Tereshkova had fallen back on bad habits. She had been in the National Komsomol, so it was understandable that she blurted out a “comrade” now and then.
“Thank you. Yes, they occupy a small town called Custervile and the FPS military surrounds it, I will confirm that when the meeting is adjourned.”
Pakhomov waved his hand. “No, thank you. It is quite irrelevant. Still, the hordes killed some twenty thousand Kelssekians and there’s been hardly a peep from them. Hopefully, when the first ships from this fleet arrive, the pax will merely consolidate their resources in the name of efficiency like they say they are. They have no reason to lie. If they wanted to make some kind of move, they would launch the attack directly from space, especially if it were a move in this direction, because of our total lack of options against such a strike. It’s nearly midnight, so we’ll adjourn and return here for six tomorrow evening. Thank you.”
The President rose and left the room first, walking across the second floor to his bedroom, where he had retired before the rest of cabinet had even left.
The ships hit Earths atmosphere and began to burn. It didn’t matter. The Spires were made of composites for just such occasions. One streaked towards the Hoopian state, and the others fell around the Packilvanian mainlands. The Hive nodes lit up and connected.
The next ships simply slammed into the ground. All that came out of them was a Grey goo…
Nesereff entered the office, and bowed,
“Superior Sir, I am honored that you called me, do you need to be flown somewhere?” she asked,
Hiakru stood and bowed to her, “Why yes, I see a trip coming soon and you are the most capable pilot the race has to offer, but I called you for other things,”
she stood and raised an eyestalk, "what other things Sir? " she asked,
Hikaru offered her a seat, and took one himself, “I am under the persumption that my predecessor placed you in charge of watching over Nei while she was younger.”
Nesereff remained calm, “whatever do you mean?” she asked,
"In my world, the Nesereff was a member of section 47, and assigned to watch over , , " he paused, and choked back the lump in his throat, “My , , Nei” then brushed away a tear, “I presume that you were also assigned to watch over this one.”
Nesereff nodded, “yes, I serves in such a capacity, however, when the school was transfered to FPS, I remained behind to assist here.”
Hikaru stood and handed a briefcase to her, “I would like to ask that you take upon yourself a mission for me, the details of which are in this case, and All pertinant arrangements ahve been taken into account”
“But this would mean my going to FPS, I would stand out like a sore toeclaw there”
she said, “I dont think that there are even a thousand of us there, it is almost entirely Big Uglies.”
Hikaru held a finger up, “and that is precisely why I want you there, the fact atht youstand out, should she be in trouble she will recognize and run to you, and because there are so few of your people there, you will be presumed to be either a local or a tourist, and no one will pay much more mind to you than that.”
Nesereff hissed, “then I shall leave immeadiatly, I am honored that you place so much trust in me”
Hikaru nodded “Thank you” is all he said.
[hr]
Am out of town till Sat. The Goo is building Massive living areas all over Packilvania.
…moreover, there simply is no question that we are incapable of resisting a concerted effort at military invasion. Therefore, the question of possibly becoming subjects of conquest is effectively moot and relative military strength is hence a non-factor in any dealings we would have with a restored Packilvanian nation.
In summary, I believe that Packilvania’s repopulation of its Earth territories does not and should not mark a significant change in either our domestic or foreign policies. While to all our analysis it still retains its expansionist drives, the empire’s belligerence has been much reduced. Hence there is no threat to Kelssekian national security. We should treat this news with caution, but not alarm, and by all means attempt to establish amicable relations, though the danger of getting too close is one I need not elaborate on.
This letter represents my advice in my capacity as an advisor to His Excellency’s Privy Council.
George B. Whetstone
National Intelligence Agency
Alan Kerk sighed. He still had to decide what to do, but at least with the press and Parliament out in the summer…
“…attention please. This is not a drill. All posts set condition one. This is not a drill.”
“Where the hell are we?” Terrus asked as his entourage rounded another corner in FPS’ large underground tunnel network, coming face to face with an M1A2 Tank, which was sitting in the middle of the passageway ahead. “And…how the hell did you get that down here?”
“Its…a long story.” The Secretary of Defense replied, motioning for the Matt to continue moving as the rest of the presidential staff and security squad passed them by.
Walking past the large, black tank (and saluting the heavily armed, black-clad soldiers standing around it), Terrus again looked to Herfeld. “Seriously, Chris…where are we?”
“Well, sir, as I’m sure you’re aware, the Military and Trade Operations Center was not originally designed to be a command and control center.” Chris replied as the group passed through another heavily guarded, brightly lit passageway. This one didn’t have a tank in it, but, it was just as heavily guarded. “For this reason, the military has long believed it would be prudent to build a new command center, specifically designed to lead the nation against a threat from outer space…be it from the Pax or another power.”
Matt nodded. “That’s right, I remember you mentioned building this place. But I thought you couldn’t take the time to switch over while the Pax were still a threat?”
“We took advantage of the Pax’s recent disappearance to switch over.” Chris responded, saluting the guards in the next corridor, which they had just turned to walk down. “It only took about a week, which, after the Pax had been gone several months, didn’t seem like much.”
“Matt.” Herfeld’s introduction was interrupted as Boris rushed up to walk alongside the president. “Both the Coocoostanians and the Kelssekians seem to be leaning towards immediate surrendur should the Pax take offensive action.”
“Damn.” Matt stated.
“However, sir, there does seem to be indication that the Pax have no intention of taking hostile action.” Kresnov glanced at Herfeld, who made no objection, before continuing. “Thus far, they’ve simply been landing colonists, among other things. We’re not sure what everything they’re doing is, but…I don’t think we necessarily are looking at an invasion.”
Matt took a deep breath. “Let’s hope not.” He looked at Herfeld. “But I want to keep our forces at full alert just in case. You never know, with the Pax, exactly what will happen.” Terrus paused. “Just how long does it take to reach this place, anyway?”
Herfeld shrugged. “Another ten minutes, maybe.”
“Next time, we’re taking a cart or something.” Terrus stated. “We’ve been walking for like…an hour.”
Day broke over the Free Pacific States as the colonist ships started to accelerate towards Earth. Most of the cities were now built, and the weapon systems were being placed at the borders of the nation. The Hoopian territory was still as it had always been, but a lot of people were looking foward to settling there. Accidents were rare, but not unknown in space… One of the colonist ships diverted course the avoid an errant satilite. It bumped into a Grey Goo pod, and drove it to Earth. It headed for the Free Pacific States…
Aerospace Navy Command
Eastrovia
“Commander Lewis, can you come here? Our sensors are reporting that one of the Packilvania colonist ships hit a Grey Goo pod to avoid a satellite and is headed for Free Pacific States.”
Commander Lewis stood up from where he was working and looked at the main screen directly in front of him looking the information. He paused, obviously in thought on the situation. “Activate the city shields, Red Alert, all hands to their Blue Alert stations. This is not a drill,” he then proceded to the closest station he could reach as the alarms went off and officers moved quickly into the ASN Command. He worked quickly to open a secured channel to all relevant government bodies that needed to know, “This is Commanded Lewis, a Packilvanian Grey Goo pod has been knocked off course towards Free Pacific States, please log into the secured network.”
At that moment, Admiral Juneburg entered the room, “I was all sensor data, an uplink with the our embassy, and the YYY on my desk ASAP. I would like Glendale and Justin Jung in secured places on-the-double.”
After she was done speaking, everyone seemed to move quicker, and did as she ordered.
…
“It was designed in the aftermath of the Great Drone Insurrection.” Herfeld stated as the Terrus and his entourage exited the massive elevator they’d been riding for nearly half an hour. “As I’m sure you’re aware, during that crises, the Octagon was besieged and cut off. Within a couple hours, of course, the Reserve National Military Command was able to take over. But for those couple of hours, our nation’s military was utterly and completely leaderless.”
“My staff and I had always felt that an outpost such as this would be a good idea.” Chris continued as the presidential staff made its way through yet another security checkpoint. “But we’d never had a secure opportunity to actually build the place. That was, until the Pax suddenly withdrew from the region earlier this year, leaving for just long enough for us to construct this facility…with the help of several foreign bodies, of course, we couldn’t dig this deep on our own.”
“Dig this deep?” Matt asked, suddenly realizing the subterannean atmosphere of the structure he was walking through. After passing through security, they had entered a large main hallway, which had a number of smaller corridors leading off of it. “How deep are we?”
“Deep enough that a direct hit from a particle beam blast would not have any serious effect. Of course, by the third, they’d have us, but, the extreme secrecy of this base’s location would hopefully keep them from realizing such.”
“And…just what is this place?” Terrus asked. The group had come to the end of the hall, where yet another security checkpoint stood, this one clearly created to provide an extreme barrier to any approaching hostile force. In particular, Terrus couldn’t help but make out the explosives that seemed strapped to the ceiling above them. “Is that…”
“C-4.” The Secretary of Defense stated. “At that point which this checkpoint’s crew retreats or is killed, the security control room can detonate those, effectively sealing off this corridor.”
“What’s so important about this corridor?” Zimmers asked. Up until this point, he’d been silent, as there wasn’t much to contribute to the conversation on behalf of the treasury. Excepting an earlier explanation of how the budget for this place had been created. “Why C-4 here but nowhere else?”
“Actually, we’ve got it strewn throughout the elevator shafts and regular passageways leading down here.” Chris replied. “But, admittedly, this is one of only a few checkpoints with said defensive feature. And the reason for it is right through those doors.” He motioned to the set of double doors in front of the group, both of which seemed to be made of solid steel, and designed specifically to repel any kind of assault.
The checkpoint’s crew, which had been scanning them with some special kinds of tools up until this point, nodded to the Secretary. “We’ve neutralized them. Heavy infestation in a number of you.”
“I’m not surprised.” The Secretary stated. “Right through here, then, gentlemen.” Stepping up to the door, he waited a moment, before finally turning to the camera that had swiveled to look at him. “What, do you think I’m faking? Come on, open the door.”
After a moment, the camera turned away, and a large clank eminated through the corridor. Reaching forward, Herfeld grabbed one of the doors, opening it and gesturing the rest of the party through. “Welcome to the Command and Control Room of the FPS Emergency Military Command Center.”
Immediately after walking through the doors, Terrus understood the extra security outside. This was, clearly, the room that this entire compound had been created to hold. On the far wall were five massive screens, the outwards-most screens showing maps of the East Pacific, the inner two screens showing maps of FPS, and the central screen showing what appeared to be a grid representation of the positions of Galactica and the Pax Fleet.
The room itself was built quite elegantly. Upon stepping in, Terrus realized he was on an elevated walkway, which led to the back of the room, where it converged with four others (two running along the back of the room, just below the mirrors, and two running at diagonals to other exits). In the lowered areas between these ten foot wide catwalks were long rows of computers, databases, and other technological equipment. From what Terrus could tell, each lowered area could be accessed by one of a number of small staircases running along the large, blue catwalks.
It was, Terrus had to admit, an impressive sight. Before he could say anything, however, Boris spoke up. “It kind of looks like…the bridge of a Star Destroyer.”
Looking back around, Matt agreed. “You know…it looks exactly like the bridge of a star destroyer.”
Herfeld nodded. “Actually, a Super Star Destroyer.”
Terrus’ brow furrowed. “Uhm…why did you shape the Command and Control Room like the bridge of a Super Star Destroyer?”
“Well, we certainly couldn’t shape it like the bridge of a Mon Calamari Cruiser!” Chris exclaimed, laughing as though Matt’s question were totally childish. Matt, Boris, and Charlie all exchanged curious glances, but before any could respond, an older man wearing the uniform of a general walked up.
“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Secretary.” The man stated, saluting each of them in turn, before finally looking to Chris. “We have a situation.” He motioned to the central screen behind him. “Galactica just reported a contact moving towards FPS. We’ve confirmed that one of the Pax…Pods, as we’ve dubbed them, is currently heading towards the mainland. Zaer Territory.”
“What?” Terrus asked, shocked. “But…I thought they weren’t showing any hostile…”
“They weren’t, until now.” Herfeld replied. “What do we know about these pods?”
“Not much, sir, we’re still analyzing the satellite imagery from the Pax colony area.” He took a breath. “From what we’ve seen, though, it secretes some kind of semi-fluid substance that destroys anything it comes across.”
Chris swore. “Just what we’ve always feared.” He turned to Chris. “They landed in their own territory first, regular troops along with this substance. Undoubtedly, it will begin expanding beyond their border soon, clearing the way for their invasion force. Now, they’re beginning direct attacks. And we, of course, are at the top of their list.”
“Now, that’s not necessarily true…” Kresnov started, but Terrus cut him off.
“I’m afraid I don’t see what else it could be, Boris.” Matt stated. “Surely, its not an accident, and I doubt its a messenger in that pod.”
“Galactica reported no life signs.” The general put forward, clearly supporting his superior.
“Shocking.” Chris responded, nodding to his subordinate in thanks. “Mr. President, I’d like to recommend we immediately begin respond. If we launch an attack now…”
“No!” Boris cried out, stepping forward. “You can’t!” He looked at Terrus. “Matt…at the moment, the Pax have not yet attacked. We need to wait for them to fire the first shot…that way, the region will have no choice but to recognize the Pax as the aggressors, and us as the victims. Hopefully, that will get us enough support to hold them back…”
“I wouldn’t count on that.” Chris replied. “Mr. President, I’d keep in mind that in past conflicts, the major powers of this region, ourselves included, have done anything and everything possible to avoid direct conflict with the Pax. I doubt our being the victims will change that.”
“Well, we’ve nothing to lose by giving them a shot!” Boris replied.
“Except allowing them a foothold.” The general stated. “We should respond immediately to this threat…”
“Matt, if I might make a suggestion,” Charlie spoke up, much more shyly then usual, “perhaps we shouldn’t jump the gun here. I’d agree that we should get to the highest readiness possible…but I’d remind you that last time around, the Pax were discouraged simply by the threat of nuclear war. Doing the same, in this case, might be enough.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.” Herfeld stated bitterly.
“As do I.” Matt stated. Chris smiled jubilantly, but his face turned sour at Terrus’ next words. “However, I do think we shouldn’t ruin or chances of receiving foreign add as well as recognition as the non-belligerent party.” He took a breath. “Reinforce to call for DefCon 1; move our forces to NucCon 5 as well…if it is an attack, I want our silo doors open and our bombers at their fail-safe points so they can attack immediately.” He took a breath. “Additionally, I want an emergency act put through congress, allowing us to federalize police forces at will for the duration of this conflict.”
“That’ll take at least a couple hours.” Charlie stated.
“I know.” Matt took a breath. “Until then, we’ll just have to hope the locals are smart enough to listen to us.” He again looked at Herfeld. “Contact the local police, tell them to evacuate the area where the pod is expected to fall. And send the closest military units we have to the area. I’ll let you determine specifics beyond that.”
“Yessir.” Chris stated, clearly pleased with the President’s choice, though not as pleased as he had been earlier. “Additionally, sir, I’d like to recommend we send out emergency notices to all nearby cities and military bases. We don’t know if this pod will change course suddenly. And I’d like to reinforce our bases in Cutlersville.”
The president nodded. “Make it so.”
Nodding, Chris turned, walking off quickly with the general. Looking around, Matt sighed. “There’s no chairs in here, are there?”