Saxon Andrews - The power of a Queen

Danielle played back all she had seen during the Clan meeting and said, “No, sharing our technology with them is what will cement the union; they will know we can truly be trusted and that our destinies lie together. It also helps that they have agreed to talk first in their future encounters with other races. To withhold it would be a red flag that we don’t see them as equals.”

“I’ve just finished talking with the Director and she supports all of our decisions. The SFT also say we’re doing the right thing. I’m going to have Admiral Dorg start sending his ships to our facilities and start converting his hulls to Coronado screens.”

“Those ships are huge, Tag. Can we armor one that big?”

“Size is not the issue. If we can cover an asteroid, we can cover a ship. We just saw no reason to make a ship that big. Can you imagine a dreadnaught covered with power cells? It would be a beast.”

Danielle smiled, “Would you make that call later, Darling? I have something else in mind for you right now if you don’t mind.” Tag turned his com off and reached for her.

State Leader Sten was back in his office listening to his staff scream at each other again. “I guess the more things change, the louder they get,” he thought while gazing out his window at a wintry city. “The cold season always puts everyone on edge,” He then sighed, “Well, let’s see if we can make some sense out of this rabble.” He sounded the tone on his desk and watched as everyone slowly became quiet until there was not a sound in the room. After a pause for everyone to become uncomfortable he said, “Headman Dgzh. What is the latest news on the Human/Cainth conflict?”

“It appears, State Leader, that the Humans have totally destroyed the Cainth Empire’s war fleet. We have received a request from the head Clan Leader for assistance in safeguarding their worlds.”

“He should have thought about that before he executed those colonists and invaded five weeks early. They deserve what happened to them. We might send an occupation fleet after we handle the problem with the Humans. Is there any word from the Humans about recent events?”

“Yes, they respectfully ask why they were attacked so brutally when they had built all the structures for the occupying forces you requested and surrendered immediately.”

“That is a valid question however; we are still the power here. They have no right to question our actions, only to follow our directives. Where do we stand now on a new occupation?”

Headman Dgzh looked very uncomfortable but replied, “They have said that there is a high level of distrust now towards the Alliance of Worlds especially when an invasion fleet was sent to destroy their planet. The Cainth have unfortunately told them that was the plan from the start.”

“It wasn’t the plan! It was their plan not ours!” He yelled at the assembled group.

“Yes State Leader, but can you really blame them after what happened when they followed our orders? They have also been shown what happened to the Grendap by the Cainth invasion fleet to let them know what was coming.”

“I should destroy the Cainth Empire for their stupid behavior. Their membership is the only thing that prevents me.”

“The Humans have done a pretty good job of that on their own, State Leader.”

“How did they do that, Headman? I understand that they only had 350 ships total to face 2000 of ours.”

“According to the Cainth Military Leader, they were surprised and out of formation. He also informs us that more than half the Earth fleet was destroyed in the conflict. He further estimates that they only have less than 140 ships remaining after their attack on the Cainth Home World.”

Sten looked at the leader of his staff and said, “Does that make any sense to you? We outnumbered them seven to one and thru surprise they destroyed our fleet. I watched the video until it was interrupted and our fleet was destroying their ships faster than I could count then they destroy 1,800 warships. Something isn’t right. What do you think our response should be?”

“State Leader we are divided on what we should do. The majority of us think we have treated these Humans poorly and they should just be left alone.”

“And the others think?”

“Eighteen hundred ships is not something we can overlook especially when thirty other members of the Alliance provided ships that were also destroyed. The Cainth and Glod lost the most but every other member that contributed to the fleet lost warships.”

“I’m inclined to think like the minority,” and he held up his hand as Dgzh started to protest. “These Humans are not members of the Alliance and they destroyed 2,000 of our best ships. Do you really suggest we should leave them alone to build more ships unsupervised? I think we need to take a close look at one of their ships and control their actions.”

Headman Dgzh thought for a moment and said, “Put that way, I think you make an excellent point. They have never shown any aggressive patterns and only defended themselves, however they obviously defend themselves quite well for a non-aggressive race.” He looked around the room and saw everyone thinking about Sten’s observation. “Does this change anyone’s view? He asked the assembly. “Does anyone think we should ignore the humans?”

One staff member is the rear of the assembly said, “I do. Following one wrong with another is never good policy. This might also be a cake we shouldn’t eat; the price may be too high.”

State leader Sten said, “Possibly you are right but we are going to examine the ingredients of this particular recipe. Headman, contact the Humans and tell them that a new occupation fleet will be arriving in six weeks and to be prepared for its arrival.”

“How many ships are you sending this time, State Leader?”

“Four thousand should do it. Notify the Glod representative that they will command this occupation. The Glod make the Cainth look absolutely tame and they should handle this easily enough.” Headman Dgzh thought this feels like deja vu’ all over again.

LT. Kelly looked up from his console and said, “Mr. Gardner, the Director is on a channel requesting to speak with you and Mrs. Gardner.”

“Admiral, Will you and Captain Mikado join us and have the call sent to the briefing room, Mr. Kelly.”

“Yes sir.”

The briefing room was located next to the bridge and was used to discuss issues not for general crew information. They entered and closed the door and then Admiral Kosiev pressed a button and said, “Madam Director, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are here with me. They have requested my presence if that meets your approval.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re there, Admiral, you need to hear this too. We have just received a message from State Leader Sten of the Alliance of Worlds notifying us that we will be occupied in six weeks. We are to prepare for the occupation forces as before and that the Glod Union will be commanding the fleet. When I asked how many quarters need to be prepared he responded that enough for 3,000 ships.”

Tag looked at Danielle, “Then you can expect between four and six thousand ships. The Alliance treats everything as a nail; if one hammer won’t do it, two will. Terl has told them that we are down to 140 ships. It looks like they don’t buy that analysis.”

“I think they do,” Danielle said. Tag gave her a look and she went on, “They want to impress not only us but every other member of the Alliance who holds the real power. He probably thinks it can be done with half of what he’s sending, but after losing 2,000 ships, he’s making sure everyone knows one battle does not win a war and here’s what happens if they lose. All of our surviving ships will be totally destroyed and our planet invaded.”