Episode VI: Beta Test (14 page)

"Huh!" Hearlis replied. "Even with all the trouble those folks are giving you, they still want to get to know our cultures."

Vance shook his head. "It's not the people of the planet that are the problem; it's their leaders. They don't want to step aside and give up their power. We've had to be on alert status almost constantly to defend against violent rebellions. It's a very frustrating situation. The people want to join us, but their leaders won't allow it. So the people protest and let their leaders know they want a change. The leaders ignore it and use the police to disburse the protesters. The people try to riot and things get ugly. The people, left with no other choice, take up arms against their leaders, but then we have to stop them before it becomes a blood bath."

"It sounds like you do have your hands full. I should warn you, and this goes no further than us, that there is a motion before the Council to give you the option to invade the planet. The argument is based on the very same reasons you just told me. The people of the world want to join us, but their leadership will not let them. The Council is debating giving you the green light to liberate the planet from oppressive rule," Hearlis said.

"Isn't that counter to what we stand for, Sir?" Vance asked.

Hearlis shook his head. "In this case, no. It would be a different matter if the people of the world chose it. But clearly that isn't the case here. From every indication we have, the majority of the people of the planet want to join us. The current leadership is keeping that wish from becoming a reality by force of arms. Which is something we do not condone. However, the problem comes from the fact that they are not a member of the Alliance yet, so we really have no grounds on which to stage an invasion."

"What if the people of the world asked us to intervene on their behalf?" Vance asked. He turned away slightly. "Sarah, I seem to remember seeing a discussion on our internet site about The Alliance using military force to free the planet?"

Sarah rapidly took form again as she answered him. "Yes Sir, there are actually several discussion of that type going on. Although the option is favored, it is feared that many of their soldiers would be hurt in the battles. It is for that reason no one is really asking for our assistance and other methods of resolution are still favored."

"This is a civil matter and not a military one," Hearlis replied, nodding at the information Sarah gave.

"Yes, but does not the civilian sector have the right to request military assistance in certain situations? Besides, we can use the same tactics we have been using to keep the small wars under control; stun the soldiers, disarm them and release them. Although in this case, we would have to detain them, at least temporarily," Vance said.

"I agree, but this is a decision that will have to be made by the Council. Because of the situation there, if we were to take action not supported by the Council, we could lose the entire planet," Hearlis said.

"If I may add, Lord Admirals, the government of Mexico has entered into negotiations to transition to Core World status. As a result of this, the Ambassador has requested our assistance in controlling the flow of illegal border crossings. As a precaution during the negotiations, the Mexican Government closed the border with the United States to non-commercial traffic. As an ironic result, there are now hundreds of people a day entering the country illegally from the United States. Hundreds of Mexican citizens are surrendering to American border patrol officers in order to be deported back into Mexico," Sarah said. "We have seen the same things happening in other countries that have agreed to U.N stewardship pending planetary acceptance."

Hearlis shook his head. "I got side tracked. Unfortunately, the shipment won't get here in time for the Galtar assault. We'll continue on as planned with the equipment we have. I am sending another task group to you for upgrade. Like we discussed, send the 43rd back here as soon as the new force arrives."

Vance nodded. "We're ready for them. This should actually go faster than the 43rd. We have a good stock of Crystals and AI already prepared for installation. We even have all the training facilities set up for the crews."

"Planning ahead; good thinking. I'll get them on their way by tomorrow then. Now, as much as I would like to stay and continue our conversation, I have tasks I have yet to finish. Good work, Vance. Please pass along all of our appreciation to your people," Hearlis replied.

Vance nodded and stood. "I will, Sir, thank you."

Hearlis could be seen chuckling as he faded out. "You're still a by-the-book person!"

––––––––

G
altar Main Assembly (GMASS)

Main Control Facility

Galtar System

––––––––

"S
ir, defense systems are reporting a large Alliance fleet approaching the system!" One of the many operators reported.

"Well, it certainly took them longer than our masters believed it would. Notify our guardian fleet and activate the system defenses." He turned and opened a comm channel to the Synod then knelt on the floor.

"Report."

The manager did not look up, but replied. "Master, we have detected a large Alliance fleet approaching the system. I have passed word to your ships and ordered our defenses activated."

"Very good, notify us when you have destroyed them," the Veranorian said before closing the channel.

"Yes my Master," the Manager said and stood back up.

"Keep me informed of the status of that fleet. I need to know once they are destroyed," he ordered.

"They are as yet in hyperspace, Sir, they should arrive in a few minutes," the operator replied. "Defense systems have been activated and are tracking them."

"Very good, continue," the manager replied nodding.

"Sir, should we not notify the work crews and have them evacuate to the shelters?" Another operator replied.

The manager actually sought out the person asking the question. "There is no need simpleton! Why would we need to evacuate the workers when none of those ships will even be allowed to enter the system? Do you want to explain to our masters why you ordered a work stoppage for such a petty reason?"

"Defense fleet moving to intercept. Alliance fleet will arrive in twenty seconds," the original operator reported.

"Put the plot on the main screen, let's watch this," the manager ordered as he sat back down and took a drink of his hot Joola.

However, an alarm sounding stopped the cup inches from his lips.

"Sir? The defense system is targeting the Veranorian ships; not the incoming fleet! They are in hot target acquisition!" the operator almost yelled.

"Who told you to go hot?" the Manager yelled. "Shut them down! Now! Shut the whole damn thing down if you need to!"

Suddenly, all the equipment in the room simply went dead. The lights were still on and the ventilation system was still running, but none of the equipment was working. "Oh, this is not happening!"

"Attention, all personnel. Report to the emergency shelters immediately. A critical environmental system failure has been detected. All personnel report to the emergency shelters immediately," a calm female voice said over the speakers.

"Lies! Get those systems working!" the manager screamed at the techs and operators that had actually gotten out of their seats to make for the exits. "That failure is a lie! There is nothing wrong with the air in here! Now get back to your stations and get them put back on-line now!"

"That is not possible, Manager. There is no longer power coming to this module. We must evacuate to the shelter until the power can be restored here," a senior technician informed him. "The fans that are still running are only doing so on emergency reserve power and will stop shortly. Come now, or you will die here."

"Senior Technician, what are the odds of this happening just as we are attacked?" The Manager asked.

"Astronomical, but yet it has happened. Until power once again flows to this module, however, there is nothing further we can do. Whether it was intentional or simply misfortune is irrelevant. We can do nothing without power," the calm woman replied. "Let us get to the shelter, bring your Joola, it might be the last cup you'll have for a while."

––––––––

T
emple of Wisdom

Synod Council Chambers

Planet Galtar IV

Galtar System

––––––––

"W
hat has happened to the data feed?" the Proconsul asked quietly.

"We do not know at this time, Master. We are working on it now," a Shallan worker replied after getting to his knees to address the being. He put a hand to one ear indicating he was receiving a message on his comm device. "Master, we have lost control of GMASS. All power systems have been deactivated as well as the ships that had power. All workers have been evacuated to the emergency shelters as the atmosphere processors are no longer working.

"System defenses are on-line, but are not attacking the Alliance fleet as ordered. All Guardian ships have lost power and are floating dead in space. The Alliance fleet is moving into the system unchallenged. They are not attacking anything, simply moving in system," the tech reported. "We have several people in suits trying to repair the systems as fast as possible. However, due to the unknown nature of the fault, we cannot give you an estimate on repair."

"To destroy all beings not Shallan or Veranorian, the Queen must be ordered," the Proconsul ordered.

One of the Veranorians on the dais with him turned. "Proconsul, drones are in suspend. Responding not to our call are the queens."

"Queens are dead, is only reason for dormant drones at this point. Sabotaged we have been." the Proconsul said. "Beaten us the Alliance has. Knowledge of this event is not mine."

"Something more can we do? A way there must be..."

"What?" The Proconsul asked. "What is there to do? No place yet to run, no resources left to us. Something more there is not."

"Execute us, the Alliance will. In their eyes all we have done is treason. Surrender is death at this point," another of the Synod replied.

The Proconsul nodded agreement. "Truth. Executed for treason we will be, deny this we cannot."

"Isolated and secure in this place we were! Infiltration not possible! Sabotaged we were, but how?" Another asked in frustration.

The Shallan that was kneeling, forgotten before them stood. "You were defeated by your own arrogance." He stepped forward a few more feet so he was clearly in the light from the overhead skylight. "You believed so strongly in your own supremacy that you overlooked the strengths of the other races and it has finally caught up to you. The wisdom and intelligence of one human was all it took to put an end to your schemes."

"How dare you!" the Proconsul stood and yelled. "Slave you are! Nothing more! Show respect to your masters you will or executed you will be!"

"Nope." The tech replied. "A very special entity arrived here a few days ago. Since that time, she has been systematically undoing all the programming you have done to my people. She has also made sure that none of the system defenses will respond to your commands anymore. She killed your queens and removed the beasts you put here to control my people all those centuries ago. The Shallan people are finally free of you. We are free to seek our own destiny and help those that freed us to clean up the mess you have made in this galaxy.

"Your time is over, Veranorian Synod. Just so you know, the people that used to look up to you have been accepted as free citizens of the Alliance from almost the first day. However, for some, it took time for them to shake off the conditioning you ordered them put under. The Veranorian people still have a voice on the Council of the Alliance, since the Veranorian People are still a part of the Alliance.

"Although your crimes are against all of us, it will be left to your people to decide your fate. Just so you know, it has been estimated that over four hundred million Veranorians never left Veranor. By your actions, you have become the second largest mass murder of your own people in your entire history. The first was your own revered Sah-Hanori when she tried to stop what you did to the Loenarian Empire.

"You see, 'Exalted' Synod, even though you tried to rewrite the histories of your people, the Shallan Protectorate never forgot. We worked diligently far behind the scenes to make sure the truth was never forgotten."

"Guards!" the Proconsul yelled. "From our presence take this trash; dispose of it outside."

"I don't think so, Proconsul," a new voice was heard. An armored Alliance Marine walked up beside the diminutive Shallan. "I am Admiral Sidraun Tharn, by order of the Alliance Council, all members of the former Veranorian Synod are hereby under arrest for crimes against the Alliance. Gentlemen, this building is surrounded. You have nowhere left to run. Please come along quietly. I should warn you that many of my Marines do not hold you in very high regard at the moment, so I would not recommend trying to issue any orders."

The Proconsul sighed in defeat. "Young Shallan, of the Protectorate you are. May I know your name?"

"I am Hernilan Inglatius, of the Clan Magi. I am a direct descendant of Jeholas the ninety third, last Emperor of the Loenarian Empire. After nine thousand years, those of us who have become the Shallan race are finally free of Veranorian rule."

––––––––

G
altar Main Assembly (GMASS)

Main Control Facility

Galtar System

––––––––

"A
dmiral, I know the decision has already been made, but is it really necessary to evacuate the entire planet? We had no way to argue the point before we got rid of the Synod. My people have put a lot of work into this system," Hernilan replied. As the nominal head of the Shallan Protectorate, Hernilan was the logical leader in this situation.

"I'm afraid so, Sir. The Aracnise Grand Hive is already poised to attack this system. As soon as they have the ships they think they'll need to take it, they will. Because of the treachery of the Synod, we simply don't have a prayer of winning a fight like that until we build our own new ships. The Aracs know every weak spot of all of our current ships, and this time the Synod won't be there to keep them from destroying us completely," the Admiral replied.