Mike's War: Sequel to Jesse's Starship Page 2
• • •
Mike nudged Adams and said, “Here it comes.” Tilly heard him and wondered what he was talking about.
• • •
“What questions do you have?”
“It’s my understanding that you offered that young man, who stole one of your starships, a planet for him and the ones you were holding prisoner in your facilities to settle.”
Hetzel tilted his head, “I did offer to take him to an uninhabited planet if he would return our ship.”
Yehao looked at the three sitting to his right and smiled. He turned back to Hetzel, “He didn’t take you up on that offer.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“So that planet you offered is still uninhabited.” Hetzel nodded wondering where this was going. Yehao leaned forward, “We have agreed to give you what you want.”
Hetzel smiled and said, “Thank you so much…”
Yehao held up his hand, “Wait, there’s more.” Hetzel stopped talking. “You need our citizens to fight for you. However, our planet has lived in peace and most of our people no longer wish to live in a warlike society. We’ve decided that your offer of full citizenship in your community and a vote on your council is something that will benefit all of our species and we are willing to work with you to provide what you need…just not here on Earth.”
• • •
Tilly looked at Mike and saw him smile. How did he know?
• • •
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“We will send the necessary people to train and become the army you’ll need. We’ll also send those that build the factories that made those weapons we once used on each other. You will have to provide another planet for them and the necessary materials to build those factories.”
“But…but…”
“We no longer have the facilities to build them. We destroyed them when you imposed peace on us. Why should we take our natural resources to rebuild them? Your civilization will have to provide them what they need.”
Hetzel was at a loss for words. He finally said, “But the delay to start construction…”
“Would be just as long here. We would have to displace large numbers of our populations to build what you need. You will probably make it happen faster on a new world than we can here.”
• • •
Adams leaned over and whispered, “Just how are they going to get the needed numbers to leave Earth?”
Mike continued to stare at Yehao and said, “Watch and learn, Grasshopper.”
Adams scowled, “Learn what?”
“How absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
• • •
Hetzel stared at the Human Leader and didn’t like him. Mike told him he wouldn’t but he wasn’t given much choice. He couldn’t take longer to persuade them; time was of the essence. “No one is going to want to leave your planet and go to an unsettled wilderness.”
Yehao smiled, “They will not be given a choice.”
“What?”
“We’ve chosen those that would be perfect subjects for this army you want to build. Now decide. Are you going to accept our gracious offer or refuse it?”
Hetzel turned around and looked at Mike. He was going to refuse but saw the small smile on Mike’s face. “He wants me to accept.” Hetzel didn’t like the human leader, but he did like and trust Mike. He turned around and forced himself to look upset. “I have to accept if this is all you can offer.”
Yehao smiled and looked at the second Representative to his left, “Tell him who will go.”
Al Hussain lifted a page and started reading. “Anyone that is a former member of any former nation’s active military will leave along with their immediate family and any of their children’s family…”
Ben Drazek stood up on the left side of the horse shoe table and yelled, “That’s eighty percent of my society. We required military service of everyone before peace was imposed. If you include the second generation, almost all of us would be forced to leave.”
Yehao looked at Drazek and said, “You will remain silent. You are not allowed to speak here.”
Drazek looked at Al Hussain and saw the small smile. His anger was enormous. Al Hussain continued, “Any one that possessed a firearm in their residence before the Peace will also leave with their families.”
Jack Stanton stood and his anger was clear. Yehao said, “YOU WILL SIT DOWN!” Stanton sat but realized millions of Americans would be forced to leave along with the Israelis. Yehao looked at Hetzel, “You do still have the records of those homes that were forced to remove their weapons?” Hetzel nodded. “Well, we have the records of all the NATO forces and those in the Soviet Block.” Adams looked at the former Russian Premier and saw him leaning back in his chair. This discussion didn’t appear to upset him at all. Why was that?
Yehao said, “Anyone else who wishes to leave will be allowed to emigrate. All of the former weapon manufacturers and anyone who worked in their companies will also be asked to leave.”
Mike stood up and said, “May I speak?” Yehao smiled and nodded. “According to your decisions, I and my family will also have to leave.”
Yehao actually managed to look sorry, “Unfortunately, we can’t show any preferential treatment. I am truly sorry, Mr. Sanders.”
Mike stared at the Chinese Representative and said, “I would request one thing.”
“What is that?”
“That, when you announce this to Earth, I be allowed to tell what kind of hardship those that might choose to go will have to face. They should know what they’re getting into.”
Yehao stared at Mike and didn’t trust what he would say. Hetzel interrupted his thoughts by saying, “We don’t want anyone going who isn’t prepared to fight. He should be given the time to tell them. I’ll agree to your offer with no further resistance if you accept this.”
Yehao looked at Hetzel and then looked at Mike, “You will not say anything that would cause dissension.”
“I suspect you’ll have all the dissention you could ever hope for after your announcement whether I speak or not.”
Yehao turned back to Hetzel, “You will use the Hunters to enforce our edicts.” Hetzel stared at Yehao for a long moment and nodded. Yehao smiled a polished smile that all politicians have and said, “Your forcing peace on us has worked. The vast majority of our planet would never choose to go back to the way things were. This migration will only ensure we are worthy of membership into your society.” Yehao looked at Mike, “I will be making the announcement this evening at eight PM our time. Be here if you choose to speak.” Mike nodded and Yehao looked at Al Hussain, “Get the names out to the local authorities to be ready to start the process immediately after the announcement.”
Mike saw Ben Drazek leave the table and start walking his way. Drazek arrived and looked Mike in the eyes and quietly said, “Will you please make sure my people are among the first to go!”
“I was wondering if you were ready.”
“You’ve seen what we’re up against. Anywhere else would be better than this.”
“How do you feel about leaving your holy land?”
Drazek smiled, “We can always build another temple.”
“I guess you figured out that very few terrorists were ever officially in an army.”
Drazek nodded, “So they won’t be going. Tell me some more good news.”
“Most of the Christians in the former United States will also be coming along.”
“We can live with them. With them, what you see is what you get. That can’t be said for those we’re forced to live with now.”
“I want the former leaders of your special forces to be sent to the first transport ahead of the major exodus. Have them report directly to me when they arrive.”
“Do you want the former Soviet Spetsnaz Officers as well?” Mike’s eyes narrowed. Drazek smiled, “They have more in common with our warriors than those they have to follow in this current mess.” Drazek n
odded toward the tall Russian sitting at the table watching them. “Carl told me they were going to force us to leave. He says it’s time to go.”
Mike looked over at the Russian and nodded. The Russian showed a small smile as he nodded back. Mike looked at Ben, “Have them report as well.”
Drazek walked back to the table and Adams leaned in, “You were expecting this.” Mike continued to watch Drazek and nodded. Adams’ brow furrowed, “Is this a good thing?”
Mike looked at Adams, “Can it be any worse than what we have here now?”
Adams shook his head. “Who is going to be responsible for bringing order out of this?”
Mike remained silent but Adams saw Hetzel looking at him. This looked like it was going to be Mike’s war to win or lose. He reached over and pulled Jeanette close. He looked at her and saw her fear for their son. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, “It will all work out.”
“Now I’m really frightened.”
“Why?”
“I’m the one that usually has to reassure you. This new role isn’t comforting.”
Adams nodded and smiled, “Ok, you can reassure me.”
Jeanette stared at Yehao and shook her head, “I really wish I could.”
• • •
All the news agencies on Earth announced a critical speech by the World Council’s Leader. The insider information on the speech was that hundreds of millions of citizens were going to be impacted. Speculation ran rampant and the planet’s fear approached the level when Earth was threatened with destruction. No one knew what was going on and no one was talking.
• • •
Mike watched Yehao tell the world that many of them were going to have to leave the planet to fight for Earth’s survival. Mike shook his head at what appeared to be genuine sadness coming from the Council Leader. Yehao called it a draft, which was an outright lie. You don’t draft women, children, and babies to leave Earth. He was eliminating any source of resistance to his edicts. Mike had to admit it was a good tactic. Dictators never liked anyone around that could offer a challenge. All of the World Representatives looked appropriately sad at what was being done except for Stanton, Carl, and Drazek; their rage was clear. At the end, everyone knew who was being deported to the new planet and they knew the Hunters were going to enforce them leaving. Most people were in a state of shock at the end of the announcement. Yehao told them that everyone would be notified on where to report. It was going to take some time for the support facilities to be built on the new planet. He then introduced Mike as the one who would be organizing the move.
Mike walked up to the podium and looked at the cameras. He decided that people needed to understand what they were going to have to face. “I know all of you are concerned about what you’ve going to be faced with when you leave Earth. We’re going to a planet that is so much like our home world that it will take your breath away. I’m going to start sending images of it momentarily.” He looked at Jesse and nodded; he handed the memory discs to the reporters. The huge display over the podium began showing images of a planet from space beside Mike’s image. “The civilizations of the Assembly’s Government are going to start building living quarters for all of you being sent there. The land will be cleared and they have promised to have them ready for your arrival within three months. I’m telling you this so you won’t be frightened of where you’ll live. Food will be purchased from Earth and transported to our new planet. The building of the industries we’ll need to defend our home and the other civilizations has already begun. Our entire existence will be to create a fighting force that has never had an equal in human history. Everyone will either be a warrior or work in a support position to enhance their chances of success.” Mike paused and stared at the cameras, “Everyone will work on this project. I know those who have not been forced to go can choose to go with us. You need to understand that we are building something special on our new world and we will be charged to defend all the peaceful worlds that are being attacked. If you’re not willing to work, or die, for this effort, don’t go. Everyone will be treated the same and everyone, male or female, will train to become the greatest warriors in history. For those of you being forced to go,” Mike smiled, “I think you might like your new home.”
Mike stepped back from the microphone and Yehao said, “Do you have a name for this new planet?”
Mike stepped forward, “We’re going to call it Sparta.”
Yehao stared into Mike’s eyes and felt a chill run down his spine. Mike walked over to him and held his stare. Mike had to give Yehao credit, he didn’t look away. “It has been brought to my attention that there are old collection facilities where many of the old weapons were taken. We are going to remove many of the items stored there.”
Yehao knew about the facilities and planned to use them in the future if his leadership was ever challenged. “I’ve not agreed to the removal of anything from Earth.”
“Let’s just say that under the terms of the peace provisions that Earth originally agreed to, those weapons are illegal. If you want to challenge that, the original agreement will be abrogated and we’ll take them anyway. Of course if the original agreement is broken, the most recent one will also be invalid and we’ll do whatever we want here.”
Yehao stared at Mike and said, “You need to get the colonists off the planet as quickly as possible.”
Mike nodded, “The first structures being built are the thousand forts where the former military will be taken. Their families will follow quickly afterwards.” He turned and walked away.
Al Hussain walked over, “What’s going on?”
“He knows about the weapons we’ve been storing. He’s taking them.”
“Stop him!”
Yehao sighed, “I wonder who was playing who here.” He looked at Hussain, “How would you suggest I do that?”
“Use the Hunters to stop it.”
“And just who do you think commands the Hunters?” Hussain’s eyes opened wide. “I don’t expect they are going to allow us to prevent it. Would you like to go give it a try?”
Hussain stared at Mike as he exited the room and said, “Can we remove him?”
“If you have a Q ship to fire on him. He’s protected by a personal shield.”
“Maybe they won’t find all of them.”
Yehao shook his head, “We’ll see.”
Chapter Two
“Sir, may I speak with you for a moment?”
Mike turned away from the huge table and looked at the Army Captain, “Can it wait?”
“Sir, I have a former Army Pilot who says he flew his A-10 into the Sahara Desert and left it there. He says there were thousands of them parked under hangars when he was flown out.”
Mike looked at Tilly, “Take care of this. I need to talk with this pilot.” Mike walked over and the former Pilot saluted. Mike returned his salute, “Tell me what you’re talking about.”
Captain Long smiled, “During the time when Earth was destroying all its weapons of war, all of the pilots who flew Warthogs were ordered to fly them to North Africa. I was one of the last to go and I landed at a facility that was pretty much invisible from the air. I parked my Warthog in a giant hangar built underground; there had to be thousands of other A 10s lined up inside.”
“Do you think you could find that facility?”
“You know how pilots think. I know where I crossed the Algerian coast and I know what heading I took. I also know the exact mileage I flew inland.”
Mike shook his head, “You remember all that?”
“I wondered then what was going on and no one would tell me. It’s always bothered me.”
Mike pressed his collar button, “Jesse.”
“Yeah, Mike.”
“I need you to come down here and pick up a former Army pilot. See if you can find a facility he saw more than a decade ago.”
“On my way.”
Mike looked at the Captain, “Go up to the roof and look for a Q ship.”
“No, it is I that should be thanking you. This is the first I’ve heard about that facility.”
Mike went back to the table and an hour later his communicator beeped, “Sanders, here.”
“Mike it appears we have a Prime One violation of the Peace Accord.”
“What did you find, Jesse?”
“It appears the entire former United States inventory of A 10’s is here in perfectly preserved condition. Someone was hiding them to use later. There’s also enough rounds for the guns to keep them firing continuously for years. I’ve got to believe the former President knew about this.”
“How many aircraft?”
“Peter says there are more than ten thousand.”
Mike whistled. “Jesse, contact Hetzel and have him take the entire inventory to his planet and see if he can’t modify them where we could use them.”
“Modify?”
“Change the power plant and install a force field. It would also be good if thrusters could be installed on the body and wings.”
“Do you honestly think they can just fly down to a planet from space?”
“You and I can do it with our personal shields; just see what he can do with them.”
“I’m on it. I’ve also called in ten Hunter Teams to keep prying eyes away.”
“That’s good, Jesse. You’re catching on.”
“I’ve just never been that suspicious in the past.”
“This is now; it requires new skills.”
Mike looked at Tilly, “I want the database sorted for anyone that flew the A-10.”
Tilly rolled her eyes and sighed, “I’ll send the message to Eric and get him to make the change.
Mike thought a moment and pressed his collar, “Jesse, was that sight difficult to find?”
“It required moving inside Earth’s atmosphere to about five miles above the desert in order to detect it.”
“I want you to call in three more Q ships and have them join you and do a scan of the Sahara. See if there are any other sites lurking under the sand. If you find anything, have Hetzel move a transport here to move them off planet.”