Terran Alliance the early years
from 
GalCiv2 Forums
GalCiv2 Forums
Chapter 1 Exodus
"I am very hawkish about being a dove." President Alan Bradley second President of the Terran Alliance.
Alliance City Earth, Sol System
26 December 2225 TSD
President Bradley stood facing the large window in his office overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In a few short days they new era in human history was about to begin. The colony ship Mayflower was going to depart Earth to head for Markus II. This was a class 11 planet, almost as ideal place for life as Earth. With the arrival of the Arcean Empire scout ship through an unstable wormhole, several years ago, human society was forever altered. Extraterrestrial life had conclusively been proven to exist. After only a surprisingly short period of economic and social unrest Earth's best and brightest came together to lay the foundation for the Terran Alliance. Alan Bradley, knew that he was instrumental in forming the foundation for this new government. Just barely losing the first election for president of the Terran Alliance, Bradley knew that his time would come. He worked tirelessly with the prior administration to help establish the legitimacy and power of the Earth's first united government. While the traditional regional governments like, the United States of America, the European Union, Japan, China, and the Russian Federation still existed in theory their real power was slowly being stripped by the government of the Terran Alliance. The time for isolationism, and regional nationalism was over. For the human race to survive traditional ways of thought had to change of the human race could perish forever.
While the Arcean's were arrogant and condescending there was an underlying feeling that they desired a balanced and peaceful galaxy. After reviewing their social and historic databases the same could not be said for other races in the galaxy. The Drengin Empire was the embodiment of pure evil. The Drengin believed that all other seniant life in the galaxy existed only to serve them as slaves and underlings. Provable cases of racial genocide abounded throughout their history. If Earth was not prepared to meet the Drengin on equal terms than the human race would be their next batch of slaves. President Bradley knew the Earth had to be prepared for this threat. So for the first two years of his presidency he pushed for the Terran Alliance to expand into space. He knew that the surest way of breaking down age old nationalistic pride would be to send people out amongst the stars. That said however, there were several other advantages as well. First and foremost earth was terribly overcrowded. On some regions of the planet urban areas stretched for over 500 miles in any direction. Earth's natural resources were becoming increasingly hard to find and harvest. While recycling technologies had gone a long way to alleviating these problems they would never completely solve the problem. The easiest solution was to send the human race into space. The TAS Mayflower was the beginning of this answer. The ship was the largest space going vessel ever created. She was 933 m in length and 689 m wide. She weighed a staggering 1.8 million metric tons. She required a crew of approximately 1400 men and women. Even more amazingly she carried 100 million human beings in cryogenic sleep.
The first lottery to select the 100 million was incredibly competitive. A100 million slots almost 900 million people applied. Three series a psychological and physical tests the 100 million were selected. In some cases entire small towns were almost depopulated overnight. There were so many people that need to go into cryosleep but the process had begun almost 6 months earlier. With the new hyperdrive technology the trip to Markus II would take just over two weeks. Admittedly, they didn't really need to put everyone into cryosleep was such a short journey but to get that many people into such a small space cryosleep was a necessity. Realizing also that to build and maintain a new Galactic Government required new sources of raw materials the mining ship TAS John Henry was commissioned. The ship was designed specifically to build, maintain, and supply new mining facilities in the asteroid field inside the solar system. The raw materials mined from these asteroids were absolutely critical for this new expansion. So consequently, both ships would head into space on the same day.
This led to the darker side of what had been publicly called Project Columbus. That was the flagship vessel the TAS Enterprise. The Arcean explorers had asked members of the old United Nations government why they had left a perfectly good spaceship circling the rings of Saturn. They in fact knew nothing about the ship but they told the Arcean's that it was a failed experiment. The minute of the Arcean spacecraft left the Sol system expedition was sent to the rings of Saturn to locate the ship. After weeks of searching the alien vessel was discovered. Upon closer inspection the vessel had been circling the rings of Saturn for at least a thousand years. One of the initial scientists on the research team was a huge fan of the ancient cult science fiction classic Star Trek. Remarking to the team members that this vessel looked shockingly similar to the USS Enterprise of the television show the research team started affectionately calling the ship the Enterprise. Over the last 15 years the ship had been extensively studied and repaired. Its original propulsion system was much more advanced than the hyperdrive invented later by Terran scientists. However, it was so damaged and the technology so alien that repairing it was not possible. After the hyperdrive had been invented the original damaged engines were removed in the first ever Westinghouse Event Horizon hyperdrive engines were installed. The one piece of technology that did function reasonably well with the ship's sensors. Capable of sending and receiving signals over amazing distances it far outpaced anything the Terran scientists could make on their own. This gave the Enterprise an ability to explore unlike any other ship in the Terran Alliance Navy.
In fact, the same day that the TAS John Henry and the TAS Mayflower were set to depart Earth the TAS Enterprise would head for an anomaly that the ship had already picked up while under refit at the Neil Armstrong naval repair yard. President Bradley was convinced that there would be a war. A war unlike any other war that the human race had experienced. A war that would most likely determine the survival of the human race. It seemed strange to him that despite mankind's best efforts to exterminate itself in the last 300 years that the human race's ultimate demise could very well come up the hands of an alien race of unspeakable evil. For a man who'd built his entire political career on peace and cutting military budgets he was now forced to prepare for war that he did not want, against a foe that he literally could not understand.
Excerpt from the Terran Alliance Navy handbook
Terran Alliance Press Ltd.
Many of the Terran alliance Navy traditions were adapted from customs of existing Navy's from around the globe. The commanding officer of a starship is always referred to as Captain regardless of his actual rank. For example, if the commanding officer of starship is a lieutenant while on board ship is referred to as Captain. This is an honorary title and the commanding officer receives neither the pay or the actual rank of Captain. When not on board ship or acting in the capacity of the ship's commanding officer, the officer in question is referred to by their actual rank. Furthermore, when several ships are assigned to the same command the highest ranking ship's commander is referred to as Commodore. As is the case for officers lower than the rank of captain in command of starships this rank is not permanent and the officer in question is only addressed as Commodore when he is acting in his capacity as Commodore. If the commanding officer in charge of the squadron is an Admiral then that officer is addressed as Admiral and the rank of Commodore is not used.
Command bridge TAS Enterprise Outward Bound from the Sol system
7 January 2226 TSD
Lt. Commander Amanda Buxton stood peering over the shoulder of the chief science officer Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sadesh Gupta and asked, "so what is it?"
"Ma'am, it appears to be some form of energy crystal. It is sending out a signal. It is the same signal over and over. The signal is approximately 3 minutes in length."
"What type of signal Gupta?" She asked.
"It's a mathematic equation of some type. I've been analyzing it over the last six hours," he said the exasperatedly. "All that I can tell at this point is that some form of chemical additive. What its purpose could be I have no idea. But, I believe that within a few days I should have an answer."
Lt. Commander Buxton's brow furrowed in consternation, "no pressure chief we have plenty of time to analyze this thing whatever it is. Just let me know when you find something, all right."
"Yes ma'am."
"Lt. Sukov I will be in my day cabin, you have the bridge," Amanda said as she stalked off the bridge.
"Yes ma'am," he answered.
Things had gone better than she had hoped. After years of working and testing the TAS Enterprise was finally conducting a mission. She knew how good CWO 3 Gupta was when it came to figuring out how to use the ship's sensors. In fact he had written most of the technical manuals on the system. He knew more about the ship's sensors than any other five scientists in the Alliance. His personal hygiene however, left much to be desired. He was a very abrupt around people and he had the annoying habit of speaking whatever thought was passing through his mind at the time. But she wouldn't trade him for the world. The Enterprise's chief mission was research and exploration; because of this CWO 3 Gupta was indispensable. She had faith that Gupta would come up with the answer to this problem. She just hoped that the answer came sooner rather than later. Even at the incredible distance away from the Admiralty that they were she was still getting bombarded with requests and information about the anomaly. It was the one time when she longed to the days when messages were delivered by carrier pigeons.
Captains' Day quarters TAS Enterprise orbiting anomaly 33.1
7 January 2226 TSD
"So Chief, you already have an answer?" Commander Buxton said.
"Surprisingly yes Captain. The sensors really are amazing. Once they analyzed specifically what the equation was the senors' computer figured out what the equation is without any prompting from me. It's almost as if the computer is curious. It's amazing, I mean it must have to do with the semiconductive..."
Lt. Commander Buxton interrupted before Gupta he could get lost in the science of his favorite toy, "I don't need to know how it works chief I just want to know what it means."
Gupta stopped, smiled a little, as if to say sorry and said, "it's a food additive."
"You mean to tell me we've traveled millions of miles to discover red dye number five?"
"No captain, we've traveled millions of miles to discover a food additive ideally suited for soldiers. If you place this in their food they will become more alert, and aggressive. I don't know what the long-term health effects of this additive would be but in the short run it boosts the immune system, the nervous system, and the adrenal system. Ideal advantages for a combat soldier."
"This was just floating around out here in space sending out a mathematic signal?"
"Yes, it seems that way," said Gupta.
"Well, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Send your findings back to the Admiralty on Earth and we will set a new course.
Landing City, Colony Hall, Markus II Terran Alliance
8 February 2226 TSD
As colonial Governor Hans Van der Wald banged the gavel on his desk to bring the meeting to order, "ladies and gentlemen thank you for meeting with me today. Yesterday, we landed on the Terran Alliances' newest colony. Already much of the initial colony base has been constructed. The pre-fabricated factory module is already up and running. The economic Minister informs me that the site chosen was indeed a good one. Thus several very rare and potentially valuable minerals at the site. This will allow this factory to run at 300% higher than normal efficiency. I have already ordered the construction of a second factory module. After it has completed will begin construction on a spaceport. This will they the foundation of the economic success for the colony. Within less than a year we believe that all economic and industrial output could potentially rival that of Earth itself. As we are all aware that currently the government does not afford us the same political freedom of those on Earth. For us to achieve the same political freedom as Earth we must be in a position to bring economic pressure against Earth to achieve the same political freedoms they enjoy. So I encourage all of you to work ceaselessly to achieve an efficient and prosperous colony. At the same time however, I must urge everyone to be patient and to take a moderate course to achieve this action. Radical political agendas will do no one any good and could in fact harm us in the long term. Please, continue working with the various departments at reanimating the colonists still in cryosleep. The sooner we get everyone out the sooner we will achieve our goals. Thank you for your time."
Most of the senior members of the colonial government agreed with the Governor. Salvador Guerra was not one of them. He had listened politicians for most of his life. And for all its talk of unity, equality, and freedom the Terran Alliance was as corrupt as the government's that preceded it. The only true way for freedom and equality was through violence. History had proven that time to time again. When the time was right he would lead the colony to freedom. Men like the governor were little more than political prostitutes, trading security and money for freedom. Salvador knew that the time was not yet right for him to act but when it was his people would forever be free from oppression and tyranny. Then everyone would be equal as God had intended.
Niel Armstrong Naval Space Yard, Low Earth Orbit
15 June 2226 TSD
President Bradley smiled his best smile and addressed the crowd of dignitaries, "just over six months ago we launched our very first colony ship into space. Today A second ship departs for its final destination on the planet of Banfield Five. On the Kearny-Nakamura scale this planet rates a 17. As we all know the Earth itself rates a 12. This will be a virtual paradise. However, that does not mean that the colonists will not have hardships overcome. These are some of Earth's best and brightest who go where few have gone before them. I and all of the people of the Earth salute your courage. And with Godspeed may you have a safe and easy journey."
At this there was tumultuous applause from the audience and the president leaned forward and pressed the large red button that illuminated the all clear light mounted on the superstructure of the shipyard. Slowly and majestically the TAS Providence began to move forward and out of the shipyard. Outwardly the President seemed a man of confident conviction, inwardly he was racked with doubt and fear. Already he had to increase tax rates to an unprecedented 48% while reducing industrial output from 100% to 72% to maintain a surplus in the budget. Already in some cities demonstrations had broken out as people protested the increased tax levels. He regretted taking the steps but knew that time was against them. All too soon either they would fund the Drengin or the Drengin would find them and soon afterward there would be war.
Gordon City, Capital of Banfield V, Terran Alliance Colony
22 October 2226 TSD
Governor Nikoli Charnesku read the report for the fifth time and asked, "how did the survey should miss this?"
The colony's chief scientific adviser Doreen McBride answered, "the only way to have a discovered this was to spend a significant amount of time on planet. The survey crew was unable to do that. So we're faced with three choices Governor one, we don't turn this equipment on two, we can equipment on but don't allow anyone to live near the equipment or three, we can equipment on and allow people to live near the equipment while it operates."
"You estimate that if people live near this equipment it could shorten their life but as much as a third?" Asked the governor.
"Yes sir. Even if people don't live close to the equipment it will still shorten their lives. Everyone on the planet will be affected by one degree or another. But the energy field that it creates will make it to significantly more difficult for an enemy force to conquer the planet."
"And you know how to operate this equipment?" Asked the Governor uncertainly.
"Yes, we do. Legally this is your decision and your decision alone." Said Miss McBride.
After thinking silently for several minutes the governor responded, "no, I cannot allow this. As you have said once the machine is turned on there is no turning it off. I will not be responsible for slowly killing the people I've sworn to protect. Furthermore, dismantle it, I want it destroyed as well. I'll not have some potential Frankenstein machine waiting around to harm us."
"We will begin work as soon as possible Governor," responded Miss McBride.
"See that you do," he answered.
New York City New York, World News Network, Point of View broadcast excerpt
1 January 2227 TSD
"Good afternoon, I am a host of Point of View, Laura Westenhope and today's topic is President Bradley's falling popularity. Just one short year after the launching of the TAS Mayflower the President's approval rating stands at 51%. With record high levels of taxation the President's critics argue that his plan is too expensive and unworkable. His critics argue that the cost required to colonize foreign planets has placed an undue economic burden on the people of Earth. The president's supporters argue that the colony's efforts will begin to bear fruit in a few short years and that to judge them now is premature. To argue for the president's policies I'm joined today by Senator Pierre LaFluer. To argue against the president's policy I'm joined by a number of the conservative think tank Responsible Government, Joshua Payton. Good afternoon gentlemen."
Both men answered, "good afternoon Laura."
"Senator, the president's critics state that to continue with this plan of colonizing at such a rapid rate is bankrupting the government. They argue further that instead of colonizing three planets a year a more realistic goal of one planet a year should be the goal instead. How do you respond to this?" asked Laura as she turned to flash her best smile at the Senator.
"First let me say this, if we do not colonize the best and most viable planets near us than someone else will. We cannot afford to take the risk that the beings that could colonize these planets would be friendly to us. As we know the Drengin have a long history of enslaving those weaker than themselves. We must be in a position therefore to be economically, politically, and militarily strong enough to prevent a war between us."
Mr. Payton interrupted, "Senator with all due respect the president's plan leaves us open to invasion by the Drengin. A full year has gone by since the launching of the Mayflower and not one military vessel has been constructed. We have more area to protect than ever before with absolutely no naval presence to protect us. The president has a long history of hating and despising the military. We have opened up citizens of the alliance to an unacceptable risk. Not to mention, that despite record levels of taxes we are still running a deficit. Now I know that your party has a long tradition of tax-and-spend. And..." at this point Mr. Payton was interrupted by the Senator.
"Mr. Payton the arguments that you have brought up all are the same mindless sound bites that his opponents have said before. Anyone who looks at the president's policy honestly would do well to remember that the President has stated repeatedly that he will strike a balance between civilian and military spending. As we speak the Navy's first combat vessel the defender class TAS Alliance is already under construction. The initial plan was to have one ship home stationed on every planet. And then...." at this point the Senator was interrupted.
"Forgive me Senator, but we all know that what the president has said and the truth are two entirely different matters. To honestly believe that one starship per planet is adequate defense against an invasion is absolute lunacy. First of all, we have to believe the Arcean's in regard to this supposed Drengin threat. We don't even know if they actually exist; for all we know they could've been made up by the Arcean's to frighten us. But we do know that there are Pirates and they are a threat. And yet the president does nothing to protect us from them."
Miss Westonhope spoke up at this point, "Mr. Payton first you argue that the military isn't large enough to protect us and then you argue that the threat that they are here to protect us from doesn't exist. Doesn't that seem like a contradiction?"
"On the surface it might Laura. The point I'm trying to make is this, the President has the entire planet fearing an eminent alien invasion. He raises taxes to all-time high to fund his pet projects. While at the same time the very threat that he cautions us about he doesn't deal with. If this supposed Drengin threat is real then why haven't more of these record funds been used to protect us from it?"
"Mr. Payton, it's obvious that I will have to use small words with you being that you are apparently a man of limited intellect. To be able to afford a military large enough to protect us from the Drengin we have to have the economy in place that will support it. The economy of Earth alone is not large enough to support the military needed to protect us. Therefore, the President is doing everything humanly possible to put us in a position economically to protect us militarily."
At this point Mr. Payton angrily interrupted, "it's typical liberal intellectuals who resort to name-calling when you can't argue your point rationally. You resort to insulting people who disagree with you. All three of the colonies that have been founded have weakened us economically not strengthened us. We have to send billions in funds to get these colonies up and running for the hope that one day they might be economically profitable. In the meantime the average hard-working citizen of the alliance has the money stolen from them because you and those like you know better how to spend their money than they do."
"In the short term yes the colonies are an economic drain. In the long term some of those economies could rival that of Earth itself. But we have to give them time." Responded the Senator.
He started to continue but Laura interrupted him, "on that note gentlemen we we must pause for a station break.
"I am very hawkish about being a dove." President Alan Bradley second President of the Terran Alliance.
Alliance City Earth, Sol System
26 December 2225 TSD
President Bradley stood facing the large window in his office overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In a few short days they new era in human history was about to begin. The colony ship Mayflower was going to depart Earth to head for Markus II. This was a class 11 planet, almost as ideal place for life as Earth. With the arrival of the Arcean Empire scout ship through an unstable wormhole, several years ago, human society was forever altered. Extraterrestrial life had conclusively been proven to exist. After only a surprisingly short period of economic and social unrest Earth's best and brightest came together to lay the foundation for the Terran Alliance. Alan Bradley, knew that he was instrumental in forming the foundation for this new government. Just barely losing the first election for president of the Terran Alliance, Bradley knew that his time would come. He worked tirelessly with the prior administration to help establish the legitimacy and power of the Earth's first united government. While the traditional regional governments like, the United States of America, the European Union, Japan, China, and the Russian Federation still existed in theory their real power was slowly being stripped by the government of the Terran Alliance. The time for isolationism, and regional nationalism was over. For the human race to survive traditional ways of thought had to change of the human race could perish forever.
While the Arcean's were arrogant and condescending there was an underlying feeling that they desired a balanced and peaceful galaxy. After reviewing their social and historic databases the same could not be said for other races in the galaxy. The Drengin Empire was the embodiment of pure evil. The Drengin believed that all other seniant life in the galaxy existed only to serve them as slaves and underlings. Provable cases of racial genocide abounded throughout their history. If Earth was not prepared to meet the Drengin on equal terms than the human race would be their next batch of slaves. President Bradley knew the Earth had to be prepared for this threat. So for the first two years of his presidency he pushed for the Terran Alliance to expand into space. He knew that the surest way of breaking down age old nationalistic pride would be to send people out amongst the stars. That said however, there were several other advantages as well. First and foremost earth was terribly overcrowded. On some regions of the planet urban areas stretched for over 500 miles in any direction. Earth's natural resources were becoming increasingly hard to find and harvest. While recycling technologies had gone a long way to alleviating these problems they would never completely solve the problem. The easiest solution was to send the human race into space. The TAS Mayflower was the beginning of this answer. The ship was the largest space going vessel ever created. She was 933 m in length and 689 m wide. She weighed a staggering 1.8 million metric tons. She required a crew of approximately 1400 men and women. Even more amazingly she carried 100 million human beings in cryogenic sleep.
The first lottery to select the 100 million was incredibly competitive. A100 million slots almost 900 million people applied. Three series a psychological and physical tests the 100 million were selected. In some cases entire small towns were almost depopulated overnight. There were so many people that need to go into cryosleep but the process had begun almost 6 months earlier. With the new hyperdrive technology the trip to Markus II would take just over two weeks. Admittedly, they didn't really need to put everyone into cryosleep was such a short journey but to get that many people into such a small space cryosleep was a necessity. Realizing also that to build and maintain a new Galactic Government required new sources of raw materials the mining ship TAS John Henry was commissioned. The ship was designed specifically to build, maintain, and supply new mining facilities in the asteroid field inside the solar system. The raw materials mined from these asteroids were absolutely critical for this new expansion. So consequently, both ships would head into space on the same day.
This led to the darker side of what had been publicly called Project Columbus. That was the flagship vessel the TAS Enterprise. The Arcean explorers had asked members of the old United Nations government why they had left a perfectly good spaceship circling the rings of Saturn. They in fact knew nothing about the ship but they told the Arcean's that it was a failed experiment. The minute of the Arcean spacecraft left the Sol system expedition was sent to the rings of Saturn to locate the ship. After weeks of searching the alien vessel was discovered. Upon closer inspection the vessel had been circling the rings of Saturn for at least a thousand years. One of the initial scientists on the research team was a huge fan of the ancient cult science fiction classic Star Trek. Remarking to the team members that this vessel looked shockingly similar to the USS Enterprise of the television show the research team started affectionately calling the ship the Enterprise. Over the last 15 years the ship had been extensively studied and repaired. Its original propulsion system was much more advanced than the hyperdrive invented later by Terran scientists. However, it was so damaged and the technology so alien that repairing it was not possible. After the hyperdrive had been invented the original damaged engines were removed in the first ever Westinghouse Event Horizon hyperdrive engines were installed. The one piece of technology that did function reasonably well with the ship's sensors. Capable of sending and receiving signals over amazing distances it far outpaced anything the Terran scientists could make on their own. This gave the Enterprise an ability to explore unlike any other ship in the Terran Alliance Navy.
In fact, the same day that the TAS John Henry and the TAS Mayflower were set to depart Earth the TAS Enterprise would head for an anomaly that the ship had already picked up while under refit at the Neil Armstrong naval repair yard. President Bradley was convinced that there would be a war. A war unlike any other war that the human race had experienced. A war that would most likely determine the survival of the human race. It seemed strange to him that despite mankind's best efforts to exterminate itself in the last 300 years that the human race's ultimate demise could very well come up the hands of an alien race of unspeakable evil. For a man who'd built his entire political career on peace and cutting military budgets he was now forced to prepare for war that he did not want, against a foe that he literally could not understand.
Excerpt from the Terran Alliance Navy handbook
Terran Alliance Press Ltd.
Many of the Terran alliance Navy traditions were adapted from customs of existing Navy's from around the globe. The commanding officer of a starship is always referred to as Captain regardless of his actual rank. For example, if the commanding officer of starship is a lieutenant while on board ship is referred to as Captain. This is an honorary title and the commanding officer receives neither the pay or the actual rank of Captain. When not on board ship or acting in the capacity of the ship's commanding officer, the officer in question is referred to by their actual rank. Furthermore, when several ships are assigned to the same command the highest ranking ship's commander is referred to as Commodore. As is the case for officers lower than the rank of captain in command of starships this rank is not permanent and the officer in question is only addressed as Commodore when he is acting in his capacity as Commodore. If the commanding officer in charge of the squadron is an Admiral then that officer is addressed as Admiral and the rank of Commodore is not used.
Command bridge TAS Enterprise Outward Bound from the Sol system
7 January 2226 TSD
Lt. Commander Amanda Buxton stood peering over the shoulder of the chief science officer Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sadesh Gupta and asked, "so what is it?"
"Ma'am, it appears to be some form of energy crystal. It is sending out a signal. It is the same signal over and over. The signal is approximately 3 minutes in length."
"What type of signal Gupta?" She asked.
"It's a mathematic equation of some type. I've been analyzing it over the last six hours," he said the exasperatedly. "All that I can tell at this point is that some form of chemical additive. What its purpose could be I have no idea. But, I believe that within a few days I should have an answer."
Lt. Commander Buxton's brow furrowed in consternation, "no pressure chief we have plenty of time to analyze this thing whatever it is. Just let me know when you find something, all right."
"Yes ma'am."
"Lt. Sukov I will be in my day cabin, you have the bridge," Amanda said as she stalked off the bridge.
"Yes ma'am," he answered.
Things had gone better than she had hoped. After years of working and testing the TAS Enterprise was finally conducting a mission. She knew how good CWO 3 Gupta was when it came to figuring out how to use the ship's sensors. In fact he had written most of the technical manuals on the system. He knew more about the ship's sensors than any other five scientists in the Alliance. His personal hygiene however, left much to be desired. He was a very abrupt around people and he had the annoying habit of speaking whatever thought was passing through his mind at the time. But she wouldn't trade him for the world. The Enterprise's chief mission was research and exploration; because of this CWO 3 Gupta was indispensable. She had faith that Gupta would come up with the answer to this problem. She just hoped that the answer came sooner rather than later. Even at the incredible distance away from the Admiralty that they were she was still getting bombarded with requests and information about the anomaly. It was the one time when she longed to the days when messages were delivered by carrier pigeons.
Captains' Day quarters TAS Enterprise orbiting anomaly 33.1
7 January 2226 TSD
"So Chief, you already have an answer?" Commander Buxton said.
"Surprisingly yes Captain. The sensors really are amazing. Once they analyzed specifically what the equation was the senors' computer figured out what the equation is without any prompting from me. It's almost as if the computer is curious. It's amazing, I mean it must have to do with the semiconductive..."
Lt. Commander Buxton interrupted before Gupta he could get lost in the science of his favorite toy, "I don't need to know how it works chief I just want to know what it means."
Gupta stopped, smiled a little, as if to say sorry and said, "it's a food additive."
"You mean to tell me we've traveled millions of miles to discover red dye number five?"
"No captain, we've traveled millions of miles to discover a food additive ideally suited for soldiers. If you place this in their food they will become more alert, and aggressive. I don't know what the long-term health effects of this additive would be but in the short run it boosts the immune system, the nervous system, and the adrenal system. Ideal advantages for a combat soldier."
"This was just floating around out here in space sending out a mathematic signal?"
"Yes, it seems that way," said Gupta.
"Well, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Send your findings back to the Admiralty on Earth and we will set a new course.
Landing City, Colony Hall, Markus II Terran Alliance
8 February 2226 TSD
As colonial Governor Hans Van der Wald banged the gavel on his desk to bring the meeting to order, "ladies and gentlemen thank you for meeting with me today. Yesterday, we landed on the Terran Alliances' newest colony. Already much of the initial colony base has been constructed. The pre-fabricated factory module is already up and running. The economic Minister informs me that the site chosen was indeed a good one. Thus several very rare and potentially valuable minerals at the site. This will allow this factory to run at 300% higher than normal efficiency. I have already ordered the construction of a second factory module. After it has completed will begin construction on a spaceport. This will they the foundation of the economic success for the colony. Within less than a year we believe that all economic and industrial output could potentially rival that of Earth itself. As we are all aware that currently the government does not afford us the same political freedom of those on Earth. For us to achieve the same political freedom as Earth we must be in a position to bring economic pressure against Earth to achieve the same political freedoms they enjoy. So I encourage all of you to work ceaselessly to achieve an efficient and prosperous colony. At the same time however, I must urge everyone to be patient and to take a moderate course to achieve this action. Radical political agendas will do no one any good and could in fact harm us in the long term. Please, continue working with the various departments at reanimating the colonists still in cryosleep. The sooner we get everyone out the sooner we will achieve our goals. Thank you for your time."
Most of the senior members of the colonial government agreed with the Governor. Salvador Guerra was not one of them. He had listened politicians for most of his life. And for all its talk of unity, equality, and freedom the Terran Alliance was as corrupt as the government's that preceded it. The only true way for freedom and equality was through violence. History had proven that time to time again. When the time was right he would lead the colony to freedom. Men like the governor were little more than political prostitutes, trading security and money for freedom. Salvador knew that the time was not yet right for him to act but when it was his people would forever be free from oppression and tyranny. Then everyone would be equal as God had intended.
Niel Armstrong Naval Space Yard, Low Earth Orbit
15 June 2226 TSD
President Bradley smiled his best smile and addressed the crowd of dignitaries, "just over six months ago we launched our very first colony ship into space. Today A second ship departs for its final destination on the planet of Banfield Five. On the Kearny-Nakamura scale this planet rates a 17. As we all know the Earth itself rates a 12. This will be a virtual paradise. However, that does not mean that the colonists will not have hardships overcome. These are some of Earth's best and brightest who go where few have gone before them. I and all of the people of the Earth salute your courage. And with Godspeed may you have a safe and easy journey."
At this there was tumultuous applause from the audience and the president leaned forward and pressed the large red button that illuminated the all clear light mounted on the superstructure of the shipyard. Slowly and majestically the TAS Providence began to move forward and out of the shipyard. Outwardly the President seemed a man of confident conviction, inwardly he was racked with doubt and fear. Already he had to increase tax rates to an unprecedented 48% while reducing industrial output from 100% to 72% to maintain a surplus in the budget. Already in some cities demonstrations had broken out as people protested the increased tax levels. He regretted taking the steps but knew that time was against them. All too soon either they would fund the Drengin or the Drengin would find them and soon afterward there would be war.
Gordon City, Capital of Banfield V, Terran Alliance Colony
22 October 2226 TSD
Governor Nikoli Charnesku read the report for the fifth time and asked, "how did the survey should miss this?"
The colony's chief scientific adviser Doreen McBride answered, "the only way to have a discovered this was to spend a significant amount of time on planet. The survey crew was unable to do that. So we're faced with three choices Governor one, we don't turn this equipment on two, we can equipment on but don't allow anyone to live near the equipment or three, we can equipment on and allow people to live near the equipment while it operates."
"You estimate that if people live near this equipment it could shorten their life but as much as a third?" Asked the governor.
"Yes sir. Even if people don't live close to the equipment it will still shorten their lives. Everyone on the planet will be affected by one degree or another. But the energy field that it creates will make it to significantly more difficult for an enemy force to conquer the planet."
"And you know how to operate this equipment?" Asked the Governor uncertainly.
"Yes, we do. Legally this is your decision and your decision alone." Said Miss McBride.
After thinking silently for several minutes the governor responded, "no, I cannot allow this. As you have said once the machine is turned on there is no turning it off. I will not be responsible for slowly killing the people I've sworn to protect. Furthermore, dismantle it, I want it destroyed as well. I'll not have some potential Frankenstein machine waiting around to harm us."
"We will begin work as soon as possible Governor," responded Miss McBride.
"See that you do," he answered.
New York City New York, World News Network, Point of View broadcast excerpt
1 January 2227 TSD
"Good afternoon, I am a host of Point of View, Laura Westenhope and today's topic is President Bradley's falling popularity. Just one short year after the launching of the TAS Mayflower the President's approval rating stands at 51%. With record high levels of taxation the President's critics argue that his plan is too expensive and unworkable. His critics argue that the cost required to colonize foreign planets has placed an undue economic burden on the people of Earth. The president's supporters argue that the colony's efforts will begin to bear fruit in a few short years and that to judge them now is premature. To argue for the president's policies I'm joined today by Senator Pierre LaFluer. To argue against the president's policy I'm joined by a number of the conservative think tank Responsible Government, Joshua Payton. Good afternoon gentlemen."
Both men answered, "good afternoon Laura."
"Senator, the president's critics state that to continue with this plan of colonizing at such a rapid rate is bankrupting the government. They argue further that instead of colonizing three planets a year a more realistic goal of one planet a year should be the goal instead. How do you respond to this?" asked Laura as she turned to flash her best smile at the Senator.
"First let me say this, if we do not colonize the best and most viable planets near us than someone else will. We cannot afford to take the risk that the beings that could colonize these planets would be friendly to us. As we know the Drengin have a long history of enslaving those weaker than themselves. We must be in a position therefore to be economically, politically, and militarily strong enough to prevent a war between us."
Mr. Payton interrupted, "Senator with all due respect the president's plan leaves us open to invasion by the Drengin. A full year has gone by since the launching of the Mayflower and not one military vessel has been constructed. We have more area to protect than ever before with absolutely no naval presence to protect us. The president has a long history of hating and despising the military. We have opened up citizens of the alliance to an unacceptable risk. Not to mention, that despite record levels of taxes we are still running a deficit. Now I know that your party has a long tradition of tax-and-spend. And..." at this point Mr. Payton was interrupted by the Senator.
"Mr. Payton the arguments that you have brought up all are the same mindless sound bites that his opponents have said before. Anyone who looks at the president's policy honestly would do well to remember that the President has stated repeatedly that he will strike a balance between civilian and military spending. As we speak the Navy's first combat vessel the defender class TAS Alliance is already under construction. The initial plan was to have one ship home stationed on every planet. And then...." at this point the Senator was interrupted.
"Forgive me Senator, but we all know that what the president has said and the truth are two entirely different matters. To honestly believe that one starship per planet is adequate defense against an invasion is absolute lunacy. First of all, we have to believe the Arcean's in regard to this supposed Drengin threat. We don't even know if they actually exist; for all we know they could've been made up by the Arcean's to frighten us. But we do know that there are Pirates and they are a threat. And yet the president does nothing to protect us from them."
Miss Westonhope spoke up at this point, "Mr. Payton first you argue that the military isn't large enough to protect us and then you argue that the threat that they are here to protect us from doesn't exist. Doesn't that seem like a contradiction?"
"On the surface it might Laura. The point I'm trying to make is this, the President has the entire planet fearing an eminent alien invasion. He raises taxes to all-time high to fund his pet projects. While at the same time the very threat that he cautions us about he doesn't deal with. If this supposed Drengin threat is real then why haven't more of these record funds been used to protect us from it?"
"Mr. Payton, it's obvious that I will have to use small words with you being that you are apparently a man of limited intellect. To be able to afford a military large enough to protect us from the Drengin we have to have the economy in place that will support it. The economy of Earth alone is not large enough to support the military needed to protect us. Therefore, the President is doing everything humanly possible to put us in a position economically to protect us militarily."
At this point Mr. Payton angrily interrupted, "it's typical liberal intellectuals who resort to name-calling when you can't argue your point rationally. You resort to insulting people who disagree with you. All three of the colonies that have been founded have weakened us economically not strengthened us. We have to send billions in funds to get these colonies up and running for the hope that one day they might be economically profitable. In the meantime the average hard-working citizen of the alliance has the money stolen from them because you and those like you know better how to spend their money than they do."
"In the short term yes the colonies are an economic drain. In the long term some of those economies could rival that of Earth itself. But we have to give them time." Responded the Senator.
He started to continue but Laura interrupted him, "on that note gentlemen we we must pause for a station break.
