Post Contact: First Days, page 17
‘Their problem is, if we do have an advanced technology, they don’t know if we have applied it. They have to decide whether we have already done so. In which case, they are probably already relegated to the minor leagues. On the other hand, if they think we haven’t applied the technology yet, then now will be their only chance to force an equal sharing, either by political pressure or by a military solution. Not to do so will mean they are forever outgunned in the future.’
‘They’re just posturing now?’ said the brigadier.
‘For now, yes. Problem is, if they lean too far the whole balance might topple, and suddenly, we’re all fighting a war nobody wanted and right now no one can win,’ said Dower.
Raising his hands in front of him, Dower shook them with frustration. ‘The Chinese and Russians know we’re up to something. On the face of it, the leak is quite implausible. However, it’s equally the case that the increased UFO sightings and other activity of the past year have no plausible explanation either. The leak is the only explanation on the table. Put the two together and you have their military experts panicking about a shift in the balance of power.’
‘I can see the whole thing becoming a self-fulfilling anxiety cycle,’ said the brigadier.
From his spot standing behind Steph’s chair, Jamie gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. She found comfort in it and was more than happy when his hand remained in place.
‘Exactly,’ said Dower, then he looked directly at Weeman. ‘Which brings me to your question. “What can be done?” I think our best chance to de-escalate this now is a stunning show of force, non-lethal of course. But a sharp change in our position, demonstrating our technological superiority in such a way that they recognise conflict would be futile for them.’
‘And?’ said Weeman.
‘I’ve raised the matter of weaponry with you several times. If we could get some sort of armaments payload aboard three or four observer craft. Use them to hit some infrastructure in their heartlands, a couple of bridges, that sort of thing. They would immediately understand they have no answer to our craft, and conflict would be futile.’
‘Futility has never stopped mad men before,’ said Steph. ‘You can’t really expect to trust them, nor they us, surely?’
‘Military people are mostly logical. It’s more among the political class that you find those who think they’re invincible; they mostly don’t have to fight. Faced with a strong display against which they have no answer, military logic would say avoid conflict.’
Weeman stood and looked directly across the table to Dower. ‘I am not in a position to arm the observer craft. You’ll have to find some other plan.’
‘Are you sure?’ said MacMillan.
‘The observer craft cannot be re-engineered. It is an efficient and self-contained design,’ said Weeman. ‘What you ask cannot be done. Now, if you have finished, I have to oversee preparation of a sample distribution craft to go to Earth.’
‘An extra one?’ said Steph. ‘The routine craft went only yesterday.’
‘Correct,’ said Weeman. ‘A sample craft came in with materials gathered from part of the Sagittarius Arm. The sample needs to be prepared for distribution as does a follow-up flight – I need to check again, but it seems the optimum time gap between distributions will be around three days, no more.’
‘Oh, I haven’t worked on a double distribution yet, can I help?’ she said.
‘Of course, but we should start now. There’s quite a tight timeline to work around.’ Weeman turned to the general. ‘I’m sorry, but you must solve your political problem – it is beyond me.’
Dower stood. ‘Okay, Weeman. We’ll deal with it. But before I go, what about the Leviathans? Are they ready?’
‘You can refer such questions to Steph and her scientific teams now. Day to day, I am all but redundant. I believe it is now just a case of crewing levels. The core staff are all inducted and understand their roles. On the wider staffing, perhaps the brigadier will know better than me.’ Weeman inclined his head very slightly and turned to leave. The door slid open as he approached it, and Steph followed him through. The door slid shut behind them.
‘Ye Gods. From his ivory tower he doesn’t understand real world power needs muscle behind it, not just nice words and reason. I’m going to have to get Steph to work on him. In the meantime, what’s the progress on our Leviathan project?’ said Dower.
Those remaining at the table looked expectantly at the brigadier.
‘I have a handle on progress,’ he said. ‘In fact, other than being a bit light on people numbers, things are going pretty well, all things considered. The plan we agreed was to send the Leviathans out in three equal squadrons.
‘First though, a by-the-way. I … all of us planning the expeditions had been struggling with the sheer numbers of star systems involved. And Weeman’s system translates for us into a twelve-digit alphanumeric identity system, just hopeless to use. Steph’s astronomers have set up a new identity system, and she’s had it run through the Goliath.
‘The program has automatically generated user-friendly names for every star system in the catalogue. Where possible, it has used any previous Earth-given names. Don’t worry about learning names. The LPA will give them to you as and when needed, much better than remembering endless lists of numbers.’ The brigadier gave a little nod, emphasising his own assurance.
‘So, Orion Squadron will comprise of the Leviathans we’ve named O-1, O-2 and O-3. It is to be stationed here at Base Primo under General Dower’s direct command and will undertake whatever exploration, research or other tasks the general deems necessary from time to time, throughout the Orion Arm.
‘Colonel MacMillan will command Perseus Squadron, with Leviathans named P-1, P-2 and P-3. Colonel, you and the Perseus Squadron are to hotfoot it to where Orion meets with the Perseus Arm. Some of Steph’s team have scoured the records here and several options have been identified to establish an initial planetary base.
‘We’ll call it Base Secundo. Your squadron is to develop the base while simultaneously undertaking signal scans along the Perseus Arm. Let’s see if we can pick up any intelligence on whatever attacked our sample ship.
‘P-1 will make tentative moves into Perseus, retracing the route of the sample ship that recently returned with damage. The task is to observe whatever is there, ideally remaining unnoticed. If discovered, retreat. Meanwhile, P-2 and P-3 will remain at Base Secondo to support its development.’
‘I suppose, without weapons, we can’t do anything other than look anyway,’ said MacMillan.
‘Precisely so,’ said the brigadier. ‘But we need to gather any intelligence we can. It’s a particularly tough nut for you colonel. We will all be going into the unknown, but you also face a known threat.
‘Finally, Sagittarius Squadron, under my command, will comprise Leviathans S-1, S-2 and S-3. Jamie here will be in command of S-3.
‘The Sagittarius Squadron will follow the same general plan as the Perseus Squadron but heading in the opposite direction. Sagittarius Squadron will make for the Orion junction with Sagittarius. There we will establish another base: Base Terzo.
‘We’re not expecting any threat that way, so our aim will be to establish the planetary base then start surveying planets for life, sentient life, resources, and prospective colonisation opportunities.’ The brigadier paused.
‘How fast can we get moving?’ said Dower.
‘Well, all the ships have just sufficient trained staff to run and operate, with a complement of shipboard scientists and engineers who’ll also have to learn more as they go …’ The brigadier was counting off on his fingers while listing. ‘Medical teams and support teams, the construction teams for planet bases are here now, along with biologists, botanists, agronomists, zoologists … Oh, you name an “ist”, and we’ve got it. Finally, a complement of military, around a hundred per craft. No plans for fighting but having a solid group of people able to turn their hand to anything will be invaluable.’
‘But are you ready, brigadier?’ said Dower.
‘The crews stand at around four hundred per craft. I would have liked five hundred. The more people we can blood the better – there’s a lot of space to explore.’
‘Agreed. We’ve already got more people coming up from the other Five Eyes nations and from other allies too; now they’re in, that’ll boost the recruitment numbers. I’m having to head back to Earth now, but Colonel MacMillan will stay up here with you. In my absence, I want you both to focus on getting the Leviathans ready to launch,’ said Dower, standing.
‘Do you anticipate needing to launch earlier than planned?’ said the brigadier.
‘Probably, I don’t know yet. Certainly, I want the squadrons away before any political arrangements can be negotiated with the Chinese and Russians. If our leaders do go soft and fold, I’d like to have you all well away beforehand. That will ensure, no matter what we have to share, we’ll be certain of having developed operational skills and experience in-theatre ahead of anyone else. In the first instance, let’s hope the president sorts something out.’
Dower stood then paused. ‘I think, in my absence, it would be sensible to ask Steph to divert some of her science and engineering teams to think about armaments.’
Chapter 49. Pentagon, Sub-basement Level
Rivers and Dower looked up from the broad table as the familiar click and hiss signalled a new arrival. They stood to attention as the president stepped into the Pentagon’s deep sub-basement room where they had all met the year before.
‘Gentlemen, sorry I’m so late. This has been a difficult morning. Please, sit.’ The president made his way to the head of the table. Behind him, the door clicked shut, and another visitor commenced the security access process.
The door clicked and hissed again and the secretary of defense appeared. He signalled that the general and Rivers should remain seated as he hurried past them to take his seat beside the president. There he began working the table’s inset media controls, bringing screens to life.
The president looked at the men. ‘Gentlemen, you-know-what has now really hit the fan over at the United Nations. Later today, I need to harmonise a line with the British prime minister before we have a conference call with the Russian and Chinese premiers. Ahead of that, I need to understand exactly where we are, the source of the leak, and whether there is a risk of any further embarrassment. These countries have been our rivals and opponents since the end of the Second World War. For decades, we’ve managed to keep some form of peace. I do not want to be the president who breaks that line.’
‘Sir, the situation has been destabilised by the leak. Until that point, the other powers were unaware of our activity,’ said Dower.
‘I’m fully aware of that, general. It’s where we go now that matters,’ said the president.
‘What the president needs to know is, have we sealed the leak? What was the source and why? We believe it’s still possible to persuade the other leaders that it’s all the work of some malcontent who wants to cause trouble. A conspiracy theorist type. But that can only work if we are sure nothing else will leak,’ said Enriquez. He looked his normal self, but there was a strain in his voice that Dower had not heard before.
‘Mr President, I don’t see how it could be suggested that the leak came from my team,’ said Rivers. ‘It’s small, and my people have been in place for a long time, with never a problem. I think it must have come from among the new recruits that General Dower’s team have brought in over the past year. Particularly the foreign nationals. This whole project should have been limited to Americans only.’
‘Mr President, I object to that. All the people we bring in are fully committed to the project. And don’t forget, once inducted, they are transported direct to Base Primo. From the outset, no form of radio communications have been allowed between Earth and Base Primo – absolute radio silence. Such signals would have alerted other powers long ago. That they have not previously raised the issue indicates they had no idea of what’s happening. Our security has been faultless,’ said Dower.
‘Not entirely correct, general. You have necessarily increased your admin and management staff down here to support Base Primo,’ said Rivers.
‘True, but all are either American citizens employed right here at my headquarters or British civil servants who’ve signed their Official Secrets Act.’
Rivers glanced up to the ceiling and raised his hands in mock despair. ‘And no Brit has ever breached that Act before? Come on. Your system’s flawed. Admit it,’ said Rivers, while jabbing a finger toward the general.
‘That’s enough,’ said Enriquez. ‘We’re not interested in tit for tat. Right now, do we have any idea where the leak came from?’
‘No, sir,’ said Dower.
‘Not from my side, that’s for sure,’ said Rivers.
‘So, the president’s going into these talks not knowing his back’s covered? That’s not good enough! From this moment, I want every effort focused on finding the leak. Am I clear?’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Dower.
Rivers looked down at the table while nodding his head.
‘Thank you. Now, Mr President, you have issues to consider with us?’
‘Thank you, Charlie. Yes, I do. For the moment, let’s leave the matter of the leak itself aside. I must face the wider ramifications. Can we persuade others that it is all overhyped rumour from some ne’er-do-well or not? If not, how do we placate those other powers and avoid any form of flashpoint that might spiral out of control?’
‘Mr President, I believe—’ Rivers was cut off by the president’s raised hand.
‘My questions were rhetorical, Chief Rivers. We are now beyond debate. The secretary of defense and I have already gone over this together and reached a decision which has been agreed with London. This meeting is to be sure that both of you understand what will happen, when, and under whose control.’
‘We are decided that the agency will seem less threatening to the other powers if it falls under the auspices of a civilian oversight committee. Senator Longthorn will lead that oversight role. General Dower, you are to assume Base Primo control, transfer yourself there, and Brigadier Smith-Brown will transfer with you. All terrestrial activity will be handed over to, and controlled by, Chief Rivers and his civilian team—’
‘But, Mr President, sir, we have—’ Dower’s intervention was silenced by the sound of a fist banging on the table.
‘Enough! General, I haven’t finished. The shift to civilian control will work to assuage the concerns of other powers and provide a clear sign that this is not a military operation. To accommodate the British, we’ve agreed a senior British civil servant will join Chief Rivers’ team. Our goals will be: A – denial and assurances. In the event that fails: B – minor revelations and partial sharing of new technology; the secretary of defense and I thought engaging in discussion that would eventually lead to our providing shared access to an observer craft that has come into our possession might work well.’
‘Mr President, I don’t need any British civil servant messing up our systems,’ said Rivers.
‘Rivers, you’ll need what I say. And I need you on top form; it will be for you to develop a plausible explanation as to how we have come by any technology we might share, but there will be no mention of Base Primo or other craft. If we must go down that route, it will eventually demand a further stage: C. At that point, further revelations will be unavoidable, in particular Base Primo and the existence of common environments across planets. But not until General Dower has established a clear technological lead for us at Base Primo.
‘It is for you, General Dower, to press ahead at Primo while Rivers buys you more time down here. You must ensure that our people secure technological advances with demonstrable practical application. Sufficient that when we must reveal them, other powers will not consider it wise to challenge us further. If you can move quickly enough, perhaps our stalling over plan B will mean we can yet get so far ahead we eventually need never share.’
Rivers smirked, seeming to physically grow in his chair. ‘Will General Dower now be subject to my orders, sir?’
‘Not quite. You will be in charge down here. Unseen, General Dower will have operational command up there and be stationed there.’ The president made a short pointing gesture upward with a pencil. ‘You will work together to ensure your respective responsibilities dovetail, and you will both report to Senator Longthorn …’
The president turned his attention to Enriquez. ‘Yes, Charlie, what is it?’
‘Mr President, I’m sorry for interrupting but I think you will want to see this. It’s a feed from New Delhi.’ While he spoke, Enriquez pressed buttons, and the big screens around the room kicked to life, displaying a newsfeed from the Indian subcontinent.
A reporter stood at a roadside name sign. Framed in shot behind him was a bridge crossing a rolling muddy brown river. Beyond it lay a tight, dusty green patchwork of farmland, broken by a scattering of rural homes. Further off, the grey browns of urban development filled the background. The bridge sign read Jhelum River, and over the bridge rolled a convoy of trucks. Packed shoulder to shoulder in the rear of each truck were armed soldiers.
‘Where are we?’ said the president.
‘That’s the Jhelum River. Srinagar,’ said Enriquez.
Dower caught his breath, and the president glanced at him.
‘You know Srinagar, general?’ said the president.
‘Only by reputation, sir. It’s in Indian administered Kashmir.’
‘Ah, the Line of Control. Don’t tell me the India–Pakistan thing is flaring up again, now of all times!’ said the president.
The shot tilted up to combat jets flying overhead then cut away to a mid-air sequence that had been supplied by one protagonist. Lots of anti-aircraft flak was followed by an explosive ground strike. Then a dogfight sequence with one missile bringing down an opponent’s jet.
