Altis-5: Book #2 of the Sleeper Series Read online

  The Committee, which consisted of twenty Nationals chosen by the President along with senior staffers, would be sequestered on the ninth floor of the U.N. building until their selections were complete. They anticipated that the encrypted packets from the two selected bidding contractors would be ready to upload to the WoCADS module within two hours of the selection. Matthew Blakely performed double duty as chair of the Committee and to monitor the data security and performance of WoCADS. They had two days to recommend two of the bidders to the council for their deliberation. It would be a long 48 hours.

  In the main hall of the United Nations building, the Delegates to the Council of Nations were returning from lunch, taking their seats in preparation for the vote. It had been previously decided by the council that a neutral and nonvoting person should manage the proceedings in the house and had voted to hire Sir James Hyde-Jones, a British solicitor who was considered an expert in international law.

  Sir James stood and slammed down his gavel to get the attention of the Council Delegates. “Delegates, the Council of Nations is now in session,” he said in his formal British ‘upper crust’ accent as he raised his right hand in the open palm gesture. “I would direct your attention to the agenda before you. Item one. The Delegates will vote on the location for the World Confederation Administration Center. A letter has been assigned to each location as indicated in the agenda. It is now time to vote. Please make your selections now.” The main board began to light up as the votes were electronically entered. It was a slow process. This was a crucial decision and even at this late hour, some Delegates were undecided and were subjected to intense lobbying from other Delegates. Sir James had to intercede several times to keep the process moving along. Even then, the voting took just over two hours to complete but finally the Island of Crete was selected by a narrow but clear majority. The event was being televised and most of the world was watching eager to see history in the making.

  “Very well,” announced Sir James. “The Island of Crete will be the site of the new World Confederation Administration Center.” There was a huge cheer from the Delegates. The people of Crete had of course been watching the vote and came pouring out into the streets in celebration. The cost of lobbying the Delegates had almost bankrupted the businessmen and government of the small island but had been worth it, their financial future was now assured.

  Sir James hammered on the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, please come to order.” The Delegates calmed down. “We now come to item two on the agenda. The design for the World Confederation Administration Center.”

  In the chairs of the guest seating to his left were the architects of the four final designs. Punters were still taking bets until Sir James announced the voting would begin. Also watching was Pauel DeVoot, a Dutch contractor and his executive staff. He turned to Alvin Getts an American computer programmer whose singular talent was hacking into high security systems.

  “Is everything ready, Mr. Getts?” he asked. “You bet your ass it is,” said Alvin smugly. “Actually, you are betting your ass,” said DeVoot,

  as an evil look came into his eyes. He did not care for the American’s attitude. He glared at the young hacker. “I do not tolerate failure well.” The other members of his staff shifted nervously. Pauel had a policy for dealing with employees who did not deliver. His policy was simple; immediate replacement, some even

  mysteriously disappeared.

  “Don’t worry Mr. DeVoot, everything is ready. I tested the feeler this morning, it is working just fine,” answered Alvin confidently. The ‘feeler’ was a program he designed to feel its way by sending out microscopic electronic sensors to infiltrate secure programs. When blocked these sensors pause, split into Nano pulses that then undetected feel their way through the security gate and reform on the other side to complete their mission.

  In this case, the feeler program was pointed at WoCADS to read the bids being offered by the other contractors so DeVoot could under-bid. His safety record and customer satisfaction portfolio, although completely fictitious, was verifiable thanks to the liberal dispersing of gold to the right people. To his thinking all he needed to win the contract was to under-bid everyone else and Alvin’s feeler program was about to provide him with the information he needed.

  “Everyone be quiet, the vote is about to begin,” announced DeVoot. In the council chamber, all eyes were on the main information board at the end of the room. As before, a letter was assigned to each design as indicated in the agenda. As the Delegates voted, the numbers showed on the board. Again, it took almost an hour before it was obvious the Greek inspired design had won. François Eiffel, architect of the winning design, walked beaming onto the stage and received his certificate of award and acknowledged the applause.

  “For Gustave,” he cried, waving his certificate at the applauding Delegates.

  “Right! Here comes the blueprint,” said DeVoot’s IT Technician. “I am sending it to the master printer with copies to the estimators. We should have a minimum estimate within the hour.”

  “Put it on the screen,” ordered DeVoot.

  Immediately the screen was filled with the design. In the center of the ten-acre lot was a square fifty story administrative building. Wide steps leading up to the main entrance. Wide balconies at various points on each level held container trees and shrubs. The roof was stepped back thirty feet on each of the final five stories. On either side of this building were twin domed twenty story buildings that would hold the debate houses for both councils. These domed buildings had similar wide steps leading up to the entrances framed by tall round columns supporting an unadorned pediment. Two ‘L’ shaped fifteen story buildings wrapped halfway around the houses held offices for the Delegates and their staff. Directly behind and the same width as the

  administrative buildings was a ten-story building that would house the Confederation Building Security Services, the Earth Defense Force Administration, the Confederation Press Corps and WoCADS IT teams. Behind all this were three 10 story buildings containing apartments for the Confederation President, Delegates and visiting dignitaries. Initial estimations were the building would house over a thousand Delegates, support personnel and domestic staff. This is

  magnificent, thought DeVoot. This will be my legacy.

  “The feeler is online and listening. As soon as the first bid is sent to WoCADS we will see it,” said Alvin.

  4

  The Brigade to Altis-5

  Stationed aboard the Hevinian Supply Ship Orion that was orbiting Earth, Colonel Tom Markham, Commanding Officer of the Earth Defense Brigade, had called a meeting with his Senior Officers and NCO's. He smiled as the men and women filed in amidst lively chatter. Just over two weeks had passed since his Brigade had engaged an invading horde of Kaedian war ships on its way to wipe out all human life on Earth. With careful planning and a good helping of luck they had defeated the invading fleet in what was now known as the Battle for Earth. Two thirds of the Brigade were enjoying furlough on Earth and each one had returned home to a well-deserved hero’s welcome.

  The population of the world rotating below them had truly shown its appreciation. Even a few of the Brigade command staff had managed a few days furlough before returning to formalize the structure of the Brigade under the command of the World Confederation. There was much to be finished. The Brigade had to transform to meet the challenges of its new mission which was three-fold; defend the planet, defend future space missions, and enforce the principals of the World Confederation.

  The Brigade would now consist of two tactical groups of five flights. Six of the flights consisted of one combat cargo barge or Barque, which housed one Jaguar, ten Sharks, small short-range open single seat fighters, and a crew of twenty. The other four flights would go without their Jaguars until replacements for those lost in the Defense of Earth arrived with the Hevinian fleet. With these teams, the Brigade could respond anywhere on Earth in 5 minutes or in space, within Earth’s Solar System, within 10 minutes fro
m launch.

  Commander François Frulé, Commander of Group Alfa, had the floor. “The Earth Defense Brigade (EDB) is the first military unit to be under the Command of the Confederation. This puts us in a unique position. We have enjoyed an unlimited budget, which at the time was necessary for us to complete our mission. However, as time goes on more military units will be added to the Confederation and we will no doubt be absorbed into whatever that becomes. That may or may not be a good thing. On the one hand, our experience with space combat will place us all in high demand. On the other hand, we may lose our identity as a unit. I believe that the colony on Altis-5 will be dependent on Earth and the Confederation for many years. We defeated one fleet of Kaedians but I don’t believe we have seen the last of them. There will be a need for a security force loyal to the new colony and the Confederation on Altis-5 to keep the peace planet-wide until colonial police forces take over and to be a first responder to both on and off-world aggression. I believe that would be a perfect fit for us. We would be able to keep a degree of independence while at the same time providing a needed service to the colonists and the Confederation. I think the Brigade should go to Altis-5. All of us have served overseas away from our parent countries and have accepted that as a normal part of military life. I am advocating that a defense force is needed there and we are the only ones ready and able to make the move. All we need do is weigh anchor and head out. By then we will have trained others to fly any new Jaguars and Barques brought by the Hevinian fleet. They will be the nucleus of the New World Confederation forces on Earth.”

  “Well, that does make sense,” said Commander Donald Winters, Commander of Group Bravo. “Our families are already used to living together onboard the Orion and the village government structure would easily be adapted to colonial life.”

  When Colonel Markham had moved the Brigade and their dependents to the Hevinian Supply Ship (HSS) Orion, the dependents had commandeered a large empty warehouse and, using the temporary houses carried by the Orion, formed a livable village.

  “We bloodied the Kaedians noses,” continued Winters, “but I agree with Commander Frulé I am sure they will be back. Altis-5 is a prime target. At Orion’s cruising speed, Earth is 3 months away. If the planet is attacked, the colonists will be wiped out without adequate defenses. Even if that does not happen, we will need to protect incoming supply vessels. I foresee the space between the two planets as being very busy on a commercial basis for many years to come.”

  “Are there any other opinions?” asked Tom. He looked at Brigade Sergeant Major George Crease, the senior enlisted man in the Brigade.

  “The subject has come up with the senior enlisted staff,” said Brigade Sergeant Major (BSM) Crease. “The men will go where the Brigade goes. In fact, the scuttlebutt has it we are going; it’s just a question of when.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant Major. Are there any other comments?”

  He looked around the room. There were none. “OK, good. I have invited two of the village leaders to join us. I value their opinion on this matter. Sergeant Deming would you…”

  Tom did not get to finish; the Sergeant was already opening the door and asking the ladies to come in.

  “Head selectwoman Sara Anderson and Marcie Wright, Ray’s wife and the village Medical Officer," said Tom as they entered the room.

  “Welcome, please have a seat. Now that things have settled down a bit I thought it would benefit us all if we had a meeting to discuss the future of the Brigade and whether or not we should recommend to President Umberto that we deploy the Brigade to Altis-5.”

  “Thank you for inviting us,” said Sara as she stood and addressed the group before her. “We have discussed the matter extensively. We are a village mentally, spiritually, and physically. We have learned to live together and to trust each other. Many of us have suffered emotionally and the friendship and caring shown by our fellow villagers helped a great deal. I lost my husband in the Battle for Earth and would have sunk into a pit of depression if not for Marcy and Sande and the rest of the village.

  We believe the skills developed here on the Orion would be invaluable to establishing a new colony. To that end, we are suggesting that not only do we deploy to Altis-5 but that we be the advance party. Emigration is difficult mentally as well as physically. We can prepare for the new arrivals and make sure they have a smooth transition.”

  “Are all the dependents in agreement with this?” asked Tom.

  “They are,” said Marcie. “We are confident that the Hevinians and the Confederation are aware of this but just in case here are our thoughts. To have a successful colony it must become self-sufficient quickly. We will be dependent on Earth for food at first. Any break in the supply chain could prove devastating. An administrative error, a change in government or even an accident, anything that could delay a shipment could be catastrophic. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the skills that are brought initially to the planet. Skills like agricultural planners, surveyors, farmers, and the like. We have looked at the skills we can bring just from the Brigade. With the advanced technology offered by the Orion, we have most of what we need to get started. With the EDB to provide security, we are ready to do this.”

  “Very well,” said Tom. “It seems we are all in agreement. This makes my job that much easier. I will send our recommendations to President Umberto immediately. Thank you all.”

  After the meeting, Marcie stopped in at the clinic to check up on the two patients recovering from an accident in the EDB hangar. One technician had spotted something on top of his Jaguar scheduled for a training flight that morning. He took immense pride in the cleanliness of his craft and decided to remove the object before the pilot did his prelaunch checks. Unfortunately, the traction slippers required for work on the skin of the Jaguar were back in his locker. Knowing the pilot would be out in minutes he removed his shoes and socks and climbed up barefoot. Two steps off the maintenance ladder and his feet slipped out from under him and he fell to the hangar deck colliding with another technician on the way down. The resulting head injuries required both men be on the clinic ward for a day or two. It was no surprise to find Sande, her good friend and Orion’s Nurse with two of the clinic volunteers discussing the patients’ progress. Sande spent most of her free time in the clinic. As Marcie joined in the discussion she suddenly realized that Sande was staring at her. No, she was examining her. Marcie suddenly felt like she was under a microscope. When the volunteers left, Sande took Marcie by the arm and led her into the exam room. “Sande what are you doing?”

  “You don’t look right. Are you feeling okay?” asked Sande. “Lie down and let me run a quick scan.”

  “I am fine,” said Marcie. She looked at Sande who was giving her the I am a Nurse and I know you are lying look. “Okay, so I woke up with some nausea this morning, but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  Sande ignored her and continued with the scan. Finally, she stepped back with a grin and said, “You are right it is nothing. It’s just a mild case of pregnancy.” Sande lowered her head slightly as she converted the scanners data. “Forty-six Earth days, give or take an hour or two, I guess you could call that mildly pregnant,” she said with a smile.

  President Umberto was taking a short break from the discussions when an aide passed him a message. The President read the message and turned to his wife.

  “It seems the first Earth Defense Brigade and their dependents wish to be the advance party to Altis-5.” He paused and thought about it. “Actually, it makes perfect sense. I have seen the way they’ve organized the family housing onboard the Orion. It was incredible how Tom Markham moved the entire Battalion including dependents up to the Orion. Mrs. Wright and her team organized that village almost overnight. This is good to know. It will be very helpful in the discussions. Are you ready to go back in dear?”

  Andrea had made it her life’s work to erase the subservient role of spouses in politics. As the wife of a politician, she understood the influence a sp
ouse had on decisions made by the partner. She wanted this relationship brought out into the open. When her husband decided to take a break from the U.N. and run as an independent for the vacant senate seat in his home state of Virginia, she was right there with him, not as a spouse but as a running mate. Her campaign slogan was ‘vote for us’. When she spoke on the campaign trail, she talked about her views as well as Williams. When William came back to the U.N. eight years later as the Secretary General he appointed her as director of special projects and she quickly became a respected member of the executive staff. When William accepted the position as interim President of the World Confederation one of his first cabinet appointees was Andrea as Presidential advisor. As such, she attended every Presidential meeting. She nodded; the President stood and together they walked back into the conference room. The room was large enough for eight people to sit at the round table.

  The Hevinian Minister began, “So our discussions have reached this point; when we first colonized this planet our analysis of the resources available showed that this planet would sustain human life indefinitely. This analysis was incorrect and already the planet shows signs of heating up. The population is just too large. Our latest estimations indicate the oxygen levels in Earth’s atmosphere will begin a rapid decline in ninety-eight Earth years with the current population. We have brought planet sized atmospheric scrubbers to delay the process but in our experience, this is just a temporary solution. The only way to restore balance is to reduce the population by one quarter and decrease the pollution levels by seventy percent.”

  He continued, “Here is what we offer: We will give you the technology to eliminate the need to burn fossil fuels and we will move the necessary number of people to a habitable planet within this sectant. We have selected a planet larger than Earth only three months away designated as Altis-5. We have been preparing this planet for colonization for many years. It has been enhanced to provide the ideal atmospheric and ecological conditions for colonists. We are prepared to deliver the colonists and provide housing and enough supplies to last for five years. We have established successful colonies for hundreds of years. We know to be successful you must become independent quickly and the way to do that is to establish a thriving agricultural and mining base providing enough goods to sustain the planet and a surplus to trade with Earth and ultimately other Commonwealth worlds. We will introduce new technologies to Earth that will require massive amounts of Carvorite, Billuniom and Jeremite, none of which can be found on Earth but are abundant on Altis-5. We have experts in interplanetary trade that will share their knowledge to get the ball rolling as you Earthers like to say.