The Last Revolution (36 page)

Viktor glared at Stone for a few moments longer. “We’ll join, but don’t expect us to take a bullet for you.”

Stone turned to the other three. “Each of you will remain the top lieutenant in charge of your respective city. Thank you.” With that, they all dropped back into the crowd.

“Viktor made a great point,” Stone continued. “We will never win this war if we’re forced to fight four different militaries. It’ll be impossible to destroy enough tanks or carriers before we’re completely wiped out.” He pressed a button on his new wrist deck and the lights dimmed inside the room. “To discuss our military strategy, I’d like to turn it over to someone else that needs no introduction.”

The green hologram of a man appeared above the console in the center of the room. He wore a lab coat and had a short white beard. Despite the slightly fuzzy reception, Alden instantly recognized him from the security briefing he’d attended on the Island.
Darar Khasim
.

“Alexander Hawkins,” Stone finished.

It was as if the temperature inside the room increased a hundredfold. His vision blurred, it was all he could do to keep himself erect. Alden stared at the man, the pure embodiment of evil. He had craved this moment for so long. The concealed pistol in his back pressed up against his skin, as if to remind him that it existed. If it were the actual man instead of the hologram, he would have shot him where he stood.

“I remember some of you from before,” Alexander said. “But most of you I’m meeting for the first time. Right now, you all want to know how we plan to defeat four nations simultaneously. The truth is…we can’t. It’s impossible. Their combined militaries outnumber our entire population 100 to 1. They have 22 active Battlecarriers. We don’t have a single one.” A single silent gasp was released from the collective.

After the last few days of non-stop euphoria it was about time someone brought them back down to reality. Alden could still picture the massive battlecruiser they’d passed on the way out of Earth’s orbit. It had blocked out every star in the night sky.

“What we do have is an unlimited supply of helium-3, a substance the Imperial Sino-Russian Federation, the Islamic Empire and the Alliance of Democratic Nations are hopelessly addicted to. Their entire military and civilian infrastructures require a constant stream in order to function. If our exports were to drop by even 5%, we’d be at war with every nation by nightfall. If the supply were to drop by 10%, nations would begin to fail.

“While these weaknesses will undoubtedly play a role in their eventual defeat, I believe historians will credit their cold war as the ultimate cause. We’ll use these advantages and their own hatreds against them.”

Wait, what? Did he really think they could defeat the Three Nations because they didn’t like each other? Their militaries were gargantuan, and the entire surface would be invaded within a night if they stopped the H-3 shipments. There was no way they’d be able to hold them off long enough to cripple their militaries. Not to mention the Council had its own massive military presence…

“As I said, we’ll never win if we fight all three simultaneously.
So we’ll get them to fight each other
. Once this happens, the first thing they’ll do is recall all of their soldiers and equipment on loan to the Council. Their entire military is comprised of conscripts from one nation or another. Within a fortnight the entire Council army will disappear.”

Alexander surveyed the room as he spoke. “In order to accomplish this, we have to do three things. First, we need to hack the Council’s lunar communication array and plant a virus. It’s critical that once we launch our offensive, all of their communications fail. This will cut off their ability to coordinate a counterstrike. We must then gain control of the lunar defense system. From here, we can repurpose the anti-meteorite turrets to fend off troop reinforcements.

“Second, we must neutralize the Council military base. General Stone believes that a highly skilled strike team can space jump in from several kilometers above the base and detonate an electromagnetic pulse bomb. This will fry any electronics in use. It’ll destroy their entire system. Finally, we’ll need to have all of you in position to attack at the same time. One group will take on the military and police. The second group will sack the leadership and government offices. They’ll arrest any official that opposes us.

“Most importantly, we must silence the newly elected Polemarch Enkara, the ViceCouncilman in charge of all military and lunar affairs.”

Newly elected Polemarch…
Enkara
. The words reverberated inside Alden’s head. So Vasentus truly had perished in the attack on the Island. Alden felt his breath strain under the weight of the news. No one else seemed to pay any attention to Alexander’s comment, but it changed everything for him. Vasentus had known he wasn’t a traitor and would have supported his return to the Council.

Alden had hoped it would be his link to lead an army back to the lunar surface and suppress the resistance before there was any more bloodshed. He didn’t know anyone else in a leadership position within the Council. None of the other Councilmen had even visited the Island. He’d heard rumors a few years ago that the Archon, the grand leader of the Council, had toured the facility. But no one seemed able to substantiate it. ViceCouncilman Kalligan Vasentus had been his last hope.

“This will decimate their chain of command,” Alexander continued. “Without their leadership, capability to communicate, or military base, we’ll be able to take total control of the lunar colonies. We’re calling it the Cronus Contingency.”

“What will we do with the civilian and military leaders once they’ve been disposed?” Viktor asked.

“We’re not going to kill them, if that’s what you’re asking. Most will be forced to stand trial for crimes against humanity. Those who are found to be innocent will be allowed to return to Earth or stay and join our new civilization.” He turned back to the main group, “I’ve explained the plan to the best of my ability, but do not expect it to be easy. I’ve worked on this for the better part of my life. All it takes is one mistake, and this whole thing falls apart.”

“That’s it?” Viktor cut back in. “Why don’t you tell us where you’ve been for the past two decades?”

Alexander was noticeably irritated with the question. “I’m not here to discuss the past two decades. Only what comes next.”

I know what you’ve been doing,
Alden thought.

One of Li’s soldiers gingerly raised their hand.

“Yes?” Alexander said.

“Do you plan to join us at some point?” the soldier finally managed to get out.

Alexander smiled. “I’m on my way as we speak. It’s been a long journey, but once I’ve returned I’ll never leave again. With that, I’d like to turn it over to Caleb West.”

Caleb stepped forward; his pressed shirt and slacks were a far cry from the grime and dirt that stuck to everything else.

“Thank you, Alexander. I’m glad to see that you haven’t forgotten us after all.” There was a slight chuckle from the audience. “Ladies and gentleman,” Caleb started, as if he was addressing a boardroom. “Once we’ve declared our independence from the Three Nations, our first goal must be to build a strong and sustainable economy. We must show our countrymen an immediate improvement in their lives. With this need in mind, I’m happy to announce that the West Corporation plans to begin construction on a fifth lunar colony!”

Caleb pressed a button on his wrist deck. Alexander’s hologram disappeared, replaced by the model of the domed city he’d seen in his office. “I’m calling it Capernica
.
”

Alden sensed the excitement in the room. It had been several decades since New Tranquility had been built. It wasn’t hard to imagine that when you lived in a closed ecosystem things could get dull pretty quickly.

“This city will be a monumental boost to our collective ego. It’ll be the epicenter of the solar system’s newest and most advanced civilization.” He expanded the view to show a large round structure in the middle of the city. “I present to all of you: the new seat of Lunar Government and the future home of our Senate.”

Applause broke out across the room.

Caleb waited several moments before he continued. He was a natural showman and appeared to relish the attention. He held up his hand for silence. “As many of you know, our current homes are rapidly running out of space. Capernica will have enough room for two and a half million new residents. This will increase the habitable space on Luna by over a third. After we’ve secured our freedom, we can renew our focus on innovation and commerce. This will feed into a phenomenal period of growth, unheard of in previous centuries. Those inhabitants of Terra that want to break free from the bonds of tyranny and start a new life on the moon will find ample space available to them.

“The construction of Capernica will create jobs, help people build wealth, lead to increased spending, tax revenues, and new business development. Each of the topics covered this morning are integrated and crucial to the development of our new nation.”

Caleb pressed another button and the city disappeared. Alexander’s hologram reappeared.

General Stone stepped forward once more. “In order for the Cronus Contingency to succeed, we must all work together. Thereon, your team’s mission will be to infiltrate the lunar command center. The only way we can commandeer their communications network is if we hack the system from that location.

“Demetrius, due to Prebeo’s proximity to the Council military base, your team will be in charge of detonating the electromagnetic pulse. Viktor, since the senate is based in New Tranquility, your team will handle the
government transition
. I want you to speak with Representative Richardson. He’ll tell you which members are the biggest threats. Have them followed. Remember: don’t move until the other teams are in position.”

Stone slowed his speech so every word would be understood around the room. “Due to the unrest and my escape from Traterous, the Council is pushing for more boots on the ground. For our plan to work, we must be able to seize control before the Three Nations decide to send in reinforcements. In order to do this, we need soldiers. Spread the word, recruit as many people as possible. When the order is given, our supporters must overrun the cities.”

“Hell, yeah!” one person cheered.

Thereon whispered to Alden, “We shouldn’t have any problem with recruitment. We’ve already got more people than we can handle.”

Stone nodded. “Good luck out there, and may history be on our side.”

The frenzy that had engulfed the room before returned as the various groups mobilized.

“Alden.” He looked up and saw that General Stone was addressing him. “I’d like to speak with you for a moment. Demetrius, you too.”

“Demetrius, meet Alden. He’s the one who helped me escape from Traterous.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Demetrius shook his hand.

“Alden will work with your team. For the attack on the military base you’ll need someone with exceptional zero-gravity combat and training skills. He’ll also have the blue suit. Combined, he should be an invaluable member of your team.”

“We’ll appreciate any help we can get.”

“Alden, once you’ve made the jump you’ll need to turn off the power in your suit. You should have enough oxygen to sustain life support systems while it reboots. If that EMP goes off while you’ve still got power, it’ll fry your entire system and they’ll never be able to get you out in time.”

“I’ll get it done.”

Stone nodded. “I know you will.”

Alden remained behind to discuss the details of their assault on the Council military base. Slowly the room emptied until everyone had gone. Once he’d received enough instructions from Demetrius, Alden departed the command center for the hangar. The Prebeo delegation would be on their way within the hour. He needed to prep the blue suit for the trip across the surface.

“There you are.” Kira walked across the hangar floor. She’d changed outfits and now had a sidearm securely hung from her waist.

Alden lowered the top hatch of the crate that held the zero-grav suit. “I’ve been assigned to the Prebeo mission. Stone wants me to do the zero-gravity jump.” He locked the lid in place.

“I wanted to stop down because—”

“Hold on,” Alden said without looking up.

“I’m trying to talk to you, don’t be rude.”

“No, I mean hold onto something.”

“Oh.”

He pressed a few buttons on his wrist deck and the artificial graviton particles dissipated. Weightlessness set in and his body started to float off the floor. He grabbed the corner of the containment tube and lifted it up. In gravity it weighed over four hundred kilograms, but in zero-gravity he was able to lift it with ease.

Kira stood next to the craft, one hand on the hull. Her feet barely touched the floor. Alden cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for the way I acted the other night. It was incredibly rude and insensitive. You didn’t deserve that.” He struggled to look her in the eyes. He hated that the distance between them was his fault.

“It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean it, but thank you.” She bit her lower lip slightly. “I’m surprised that you’re going through with this. After our discussion, I figured you would have sat it out.”

“Ha. Well that had been my first thought, but I know how important this is to you. I figured it was what you wanted. Besides, it’ll help to speed up Alexander’s arrival.”

“Yes, it will. What you’re about to do for us is incredibly brave and I appreciate it.”

“What do you mean
us
?”

Kira was silent for several moments and she stared off at the other side of the hangar. “Yeah, well you know…the resistance.”

Alden just shook his head. “When did they start becoming us? What happened to our real reason for being here?”

“After everything that’s happened, I’ve just never really had a place where I felt like I belonged. This is as much a home as I’ve ever really known. I’m just not sure how I feel anymore.”

Alden lifted the suit off the ground until it floated outside the ship’s hangar door. He found it surprisingly difficult to keep his balance while he maneuvered the suit into place.