Bridgeiro, page 24
part #4 of The Xidoran Prophecy Series
Dimitrios said, “Yes, there is. I mean, no there’s not but there should be something to mark the occasion. Anthony will want to see you first.” He reached for his jacket. “Come with me.” They headed for the prime minister’s office.
Dimitrios continued, “We knew you were interested in enlisting. We just weren’t sure how soon you’d be in. Anthony will want to go over a few issues with you. He’s prepared to make an announcement and introduce you to the Sojourners. I’ll let him tell you for himself.”
As soon as they walked through Anthony’s office door, his secretary escorted them into his office. The prime minister was waiting for them. He stood from behind his desk and shook Charles’ hand. “Congratulations on graduating from Brahmsley with top honors! We have a lot of catching up to do. I suspect we’ll have plenty of time with Dimitrios taking a well-deserved vacation.
“I’m impressed that you want to enlist in the military. No doubt spending time with General Van der Heijden has influenced you. He’s a good man and as you know from your ruvinsphere days, he’s a friend of mine. When we finish here, we’ll go to him but first I want to go over the things you need to know.
“This is new territory for Sojourners. The Sojourners’ Council has approved your military career. They were impressed by this vocation move for many reasons. The council has worked alongside General Van der Heijden to guide you on your career path. They’ve wisely put stipulations on your military training, which you must agree to in order to go forward. They want your instruction to be specialized based on your background. The training you receive will allow you a command over the entire military force.” He looked directly at Charles. “That’s something in which even I do not have. This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. This position will allow you to work with the military in your job as prime minister in an independent manner, separate from the Sojourners’ Council. In other words, in your reign you will have authority over the military.” Anthony explained the details further.
When the prime minister was finished, Charles said, “It’s an honor to serve and protect Bridgeiro. I’m ready to begin my duty.”
The three men stood and left the office to find General Van der Heijden. After they left Charles with the general, Anthony and Dimitrios set up a conference in which Anthony divulged to the press that an apprentice had been chosen. The Hub media was shocked by the news and went into a frenzy trying to figure out the identity of the apprentice. Anthony reassured the media that they would be introduced to his apprentice and would have a chance to learn all about this unique individual very soon. He answered a few questions. They left the media room and headed back to Anthony’s office.
Behind closed doors, Anthony told Dimitrios, “That felt better than I thought it would. My friend, my time as prime minister is coming to an end. Sit down and let me share with you my vision for the transition.”
Chapter 45
The next day Anthony met up with Charles at their designated meeting place in the Hub. The two men were on their way to the Sojourners’ Council meeting. They stepped into the prime minister’s pod and sat down.
The prime minister said, “I want to be sure you understand why the council supports you becoming an officer in Bridgeiro’s military. Especially since you will be serving under General Van der Heijden, who heads the Tauruseus Armed Service Branch.” Anthony had Charles’ attention as he continued, “As you are aware, Bridgeiro has never had a prime minister who has been an officer in its military. The past prime ministers did not fully understand the tactical strength of the armed forces complex. We did not comprehend the military’s long term planning. This oversight has now culminated into a major problem. A panel of high-ranking generals has been gradually positioning the armed forces into a strategic power authority. The military is now in a position to make its own decisions by manipulating the legislative process.”
Charles asked, “Isn’t the prime minister the one in charge of the military’s operations?”
“The prime minister always approved all of the major military missions and was in charge of all of the higher level operations that the military performed. However, the military has recently petitioned and received permission from the Sojourners’ Council to act upon all missions and operations that have been deemed appropriate solely by their panel of high-ranking officers.
“Recently the council granted the military the authority to act on its own, in certain situations with very little supervision. A cohort of military generals has simply managed to bypass any directives the prime minister’s office has given them. The cohort has also been allowed to report and present their strategies directly to the Sojourners’ Council. This elite group informs the members what the armed forces are capable and not capable of doing. They’ve been allowed to get away with this by manipulating facts in order to suit their cause or position. The generals have been using the breech in our borders and the sightings of the Xidorean followers as their leverage. The unit is now their own authority on what the military will do for Bridgeiro. I strongly believe the armed forces must be reined in.”
Charles asked, “Who are the Xidorean followers?”
Anthony looked out the window of the pod as he said, “That’s a good question. They are the followers of the teachings of a sorcerer named Xidoran. Xidoran was at one time considered an ally to the Sojourners until his diamond, Agnovice, was fused with the Sojourners’ most powerful crystal.”
“How did that happen, that the two were fused together?”
Anthony looked at Charles and shook his head. “I really don’t know. No one does. Once it happened, the Sojourners tried to appease the sorcerer with a replacement diamond but according to legend, Agnovice is one of a kind. Supposedly it possesses special powers that are otherworldly. Xidoran was enraged. He publically prophesied the demise of all Sojourners. After the incident, Xidoran disappeared.”
Charles briefly frowned as he thought about Anthony’s words. “So you believe that because the sorcerer prophesied the demise of all Sojourners, his foretelling is going to actually come true?”
Anthony nodded. “I think it’s a possibility, one that we need to take very seriously. His followers have proven themselves to be dangerous magical beings.”
The prime minister told Charles about the atrocities the Xidoreans had committed against authority agents and military personnel that came too close to the followers and their mysterious sanctum. “The Xidoreans have been crossing over into our territory for years. Recently there have been more sightings of them in the Hub. There have been increasing acts of aggression against Sojourners. The followers aren’t crossing over peacefully anymore and then going away.”
“Can’t the military do something about the Xidoreans?”
“The armed forces can’t neutralize the followers and they have no idea how to control them. Trying to stop the Xidoreans is like trying to stop the rotation of the planet. Our military technicians are working on a solution but they need to know more about the magical beings in order to strategize a firm plan of action. We’ve exhausted our current capabilities to no avail. I believe there will be more attacks in the future, coupled with more disturbances of the peace and increasing violence toward anyone trying to stop them.”
“Why do you think the generals will follow my command if the conflict against the Xidoreans is so critical?”
“The military has recently agreed to follow a prime minister, if he has a military background. Through the years my office has won over a few high ranking officers, enough to strike a deal with the decision makers in the military. If a prime minister is ever able to convince the government to sanction a plan of action, with the military’s support, then this will be the way to move forward. Finally, after many years, the military has agreed to a set of terms and conditions. They laid the foundation and chose the requirements of a prime minister they would fall in line under and follow. If those standards are met then they have agreed to revert back to being under the control of a prime minister. In order for the government to work effectively and efficiently, as it was originally intended to do, our office had to agree to their terms. If we didn’t, the two entities would remain at an impasse.”
Anthony grinned at Charles and continued, “When this process began, the military had no idea I was transitioning to leave office. I believe they didn’t think we would call their bluff for a very long time into the future.”
The prime minister coughed and said in a more serious tone, “I won’t lie to you, Charles. Even the most experienced and decorated of our officers have faltered and failed in the simulator-training program. What I’m asking you to sign up for is no easy task. There will be missions that are programmed in the simulator where you will be expected to cross over into the untamed environment. Many generals have failed in their attempts to combat the elements in the scenarios. I’ve seen some of what you will be up against.”
“Do you know what type of training programs the simulator uses?
“The programs are designed not only to be mentally challenging but terrifying as well. They are designed according to three models: realistic reenactments based on actual events, renderings of possible futuristic scenarios, and from what I understand from reading the agreement, they could even be at some point real missions depending on the directives of the military board. Trust me, the programs absolutely follow the original exercises designed to test your leadership abilities.”
“How will they judge if I’m successful?”
“You will be evaluated on your performance in the simulator as if each mission, whether real or not, is a real life field experience. Many of the mission scenarios are actual secret military operations or past galactic battles. Some of the reenactments are considered failed operations because of the outcome. It’s possible that you may even be placed in fictitious situations as well. There are no parameters.”
Charles asked, “How do the simulated training sessions help the military in current situations?”
“At times, when a current conflict arises, the military will create a possible situation. They will then play that scenario in the simulator to see possible outcomes based on human rationale. The military’s simulator is programmed to rework previous failed missions with other officers to see how they handle the situation. The program attempts to project what the outcome will be and or play through strategic scenarios looking for possible outcomes. In essence, it’s programmed to learn from every military soldier that goes through the simulation training.”
“Have other career soldiers climbed the ranks using the simulator?”
“Other career soldiers have chosen to go through the simulator training program. It is an acceptable way for officers to go through the ranks in the military. The officers that have signed up to go through the simulator training have all agreed, going that route is more difficult than having real life experience. I haven’t heard one officer say it was enjoyable or that they’d earn their rank again through the simulated programs. In fact, many drop out of the training programs because of the higher level of difficulty and return to the field.”
“How is it possible that the simulated missions could be real?”
“The simulator can be utilized as a Passageway and a time warp tunnel.
“Once you join the military, you will be an actual officer in Bridgeiro’s armed forces and will be under their jurisdiction. You are subject to the same duties as any other enlisted officer.”
Before entering the council’s chamber, Charles told Anthony that he was willing to accept the risks involved in order to bring the military back under the command of the prime minister’s office. He realized his military experience would allow the Sojourner government to move forward with their plans for the future.
During the meeting with the Sojourners’ Council, they once again went over with Charles the terms of the agreement. He agreed to the terms they brought forward. Anthony then swore him in under oath as an officer in Bridgeiro’s elite forces before the council. He was expected to report for duty within the next week.
A few days before Charles was to report to the base, General Van der Heijden decided it was time to take the young officer out beyond the eternal border in a military vehicle. He wanted to show the young man the true Bridgeiro in all its grandeur and its nasty, chthonic, hidden side as well. After the tour, Charles would immediately start his basic training.
The general planned on Charles beginning his work in Sinomicron, which was the military’s simulator, later in his training. They called it Sinnie for short since it had the word “sin” in its actual name. Military personnel referred to it as their own personal hades. The simulator was the place where all a soldier’s sins or mistakes were counted in war and on the battlefield. It was a tough foe even for the decorated career soldiers to conquer. General Van der Heijden knew it was going to be a tough way for Charles to earn his way up through the ranks, but the Sojourners’ Council made the rules, he didn’t. Most military men chose the live combat training over going up against Sinnie. There was no doubt in his mind that if Charles made it through the program then he’d without question be followed by the military.
Upon Charles’ arrival at the military base, General Van der Heijden met him. The general informed Charles that he would be his commanding officer. General Van der Heijden walked with the younger man to a military vehicle. They got in and the driver headed for the eternal border. Once they reached the border, the driver stopped the vehicle at the checkpoint. The soldier on duty peered in the vehicle. Once he recognized General Van der Heijden, the soldier saluted and waved them past. The driver followed the general’s commands and took Charles to areas he never knew existed.
When the two men returned to base, General Van der Heijden took Charles on a guided tour. They ended the tour in the officers’ locker room where Charles was assigned his own locker. Inside the locker Charles found his uniform, identification and weaponry. After Charles changed into the uniform, he met General Van der Heijden outside. They walked to the Sinomicron training facility.
“This is where your military training will take place,” the general informed Charles.
Charles looked at the building and said, “This isn’t what I expected. The building is enormous.”
They entered the building and the general took Charles past the front desk and into a room. He asked the simulator to play several episodes of training so the young officer could understand how the program functioned. General Van der Heijden explained that the training missions he would participate in were personally set up to improve his military experience. As Charles watched each training episode, he was startled by how real the experiences seemed.
The general said, “The Sojourners’ Council has chosen your missions and the military has decided the rank you will receive for each successfully completed mission or missions. Before each mission, I will personally brief you on confidential matters and the objectives. You will be in command of a squadron and the men can change depending on the mission. You will have certain soldiers that will remain the same under your command and you will need to know about each of your soldier’s strengths and weaknesses. Those specially chosen men will follow you throughout your simulator training. Each mission will be very life like and graphic. It will seem as if each training episode is an actual live mission, happening in real time. Any questions?”
Charles didn’t have any questions so the general walked with him back to the front desk. The soldier at the front desk jumped up and saluted General Van der Heijden. The general returned the salute.
“At ease, soldier. Officer Brookfield here is reporting for training.”
“Sir, yes sir.”
The officer turned to Charles and said, “Follow me, sir.”
General Van der Heijden left the building as Charles followed the soldier.
The beginning of Charles’ training was an introduction to the simulator. The soldier led Charles to the large chamber that housed Sinomicron and told the young man to sit in a chair. When the soldier returned to his station, a technician entered the room and placed monitors on Charles’ body. Once the technician made certain that the monitors were placed correctly, she left Charles alone with Sinomicron so the simulator could go through its introduction and evaluate him.
Sinomicron appeared to Charles as a nurse in a sterile white environment. She explained the tests he’d have to undergo. Once she had explained the procedures to the young man, the physical and mental evaluations began so Sinnie could understand his capabilities in depth.
Once Charles completed the assessment, he was released to General Van der Heijden, who was waiting at the front door of the building. The two men walked back to the general’s office.
When they entered the office suite, General Van der Heijden gave his secretary instructions that they were not to be disturbed. He walked with Charles into a conference room. The two men sat at the large rectangular table. The general informed Charles that first he would be going through basic training exercises for several weeks. Then he made the young officer aware of the fact that after basic training he would be spending long periods of time involved in each simulated mission. Once the door to Sinnie closed, Charles would have to see the mission through to either a successful conclusion or an incomplete status. He wanted Charles to be aware that Sinnie was monitoring everything it could to learn how to challenge him. The general then explained what Charles’ routine would be for the next few weeks.
Chapter 46
When Anthony completed the press announcement informing the media the prime minister’s apprentice had been chosen, one of the reporters slipped out the door. He immediately placed a call to his contact in the military. As soon as the reporter told the general about the prime minister’s revelation, he heard a muffled expletive. Then the call was disconnected.
General Van der Heijden growled at the general in front of him, “I don’t care what the prime minister told the media. You agreed to this! If you don’t like it then you go to the prime minister and ask for a reversal. He did nothing wrong in choosing an apprentice!”
