Chapter 18 - Preparations for Trouble

My master appeared to shake himself awake. "Damn, we don't need more trouble here. Michelle try to contact Borneo, we need to see if Admiral Himmel knows anything about this Chief Scientist."

"Is that even a rank?" Tiffany asked.

"Who knows," Yvette responded while massaging her temples. "But from the attitude on that man, he believes it means quite a bit."

Janice looked around. "Are these alien artifacts really that important."

I heard a snort. I turned to see where it came from and saw Terrence shaking his head. "It's junk. Or at least the items we can identify are. Most of what we are finding appears to be simple household goods or toys for children. There have been no weapons or power sources. I think our ruins were once a simple family home."

"Then why does this scientist want to see it so badly," Janice asked.

"Politics," a voice said. We turned to see Louis standing in the doorway. He blushed slightly, but walked to an open chair and sat down. "Sorry to interrupt, but Mike contacted me and told me we had a problem."

Yvette scowled. "Why bring you in?"

"Because he's a former corporate executive," James said. "If anyone knows the kind of games this scientist is going to play, he'll do better than the rest of us."

Louis laughed. "Got it in one, and Mike remembered me talking about that. Yvette, you are a wonderful lady and a damn good organizer, but if this Chief Scientist is anything like the engineers I had working under me, you don't have the right mindset to fight him."

"What will he do?" Yvette asked.

"Besides order you around and try to run everything?" Louis asked. "I've found there are a number of different types of scientist or engineer. The good ones just want to be allowed to do their work. However, the bad ones are dangerous. They think that because they have a lot of training and have studied one subject, they can run everything. This man appears to be like that."

"He didn't seem to know anything about Ishtar," I said quietly.

Louis laughed. "He probably still knows almost nothing. The only thing he knew were that someone found alien artifacts and it wasn't him, and that the AI told him that James was the person to talk to."

"You can't know that!" Janice shouted.

"Nope," Louis said with a smile. "But that's what I expect was happening. Like I said, I've worked with engineers who were like that. Outside their area of expertise they only learned something if they had to."

James sighed. "So we can expect him to show up and immediately begin issuing orders. And from what you are saying, they won't be intelligent orders either."

"Probably," Louis said with a shrug.

I reached up to put a hand on James' shoulder. He reached back to caress it when Michelle's voice called out. "James, I have Admiral Himmel."

"Put him through," James said.

"James, my favorite governor," Admiral Himmel said with a laugh. "What brings you to call?"

He sounded very happy, but then I heard a squeal of joy. "Oh, is that your friends on Ishtar, tell them that little Buster is just so precious. You have to do something for them," a female voice cried out. I thought it sounded like the Admiral's wife, but could not be sure.

James laughed. "You are most welcome Daphne. However, this call is a bit more somber. Admiral Himmel, have you ever heard of Chief Scientist Colonel Clint Johanes?"

"Who? And what the fuck is a Chief Scientist Colonel?" the Admiral spat. "I know we have research stations, but that sounds like someone sticking on their own title to sound more important."

James sighed. "So you know nothing of him?"

Admiral Himmel harrumphed. "I don't exactly talk to anyone working in research much. I'm too busy trying to keep this little corner of the galaxy a Sa'arm free zone. Why are you asking?"

"Because he found out about the alien artifacts we have been obtaining with our probes and demanded that we turn them over to him," James replied.

"Well," Admiral Himmel said carefully. "I'm sure that there are regulations saying that anything like that is supposed to be turned over for research and development. From what you've told me, no one on Ishtar has the right training for that."

Yvette laughed. "No, but we did figure out how to get the AI to do some work. So far everything we've found has been identified as a household good. Most are drink or food containers as far as the AI is concerned. I'm sure that Central Command can come up with a new weapon from a dead alien's plate and spoon."

Admiral Himmel's laugh echoed out of the speaker. "Damn, I'd love to have heard you say that to Central Command. I can't say what the scientists are thinking. I do know that it's become rather competitive with each research station trying to come up with new tricks. Too many of the scientists are former university professors and they play a lot of status games."

"Games?" Tiffany cried. "People's lives might count on what they develop and they are playing games?"

Louis put a hand up. "He means that they are competing for... let's call it bragging rights. Each scientist is trying to develop the next big weapon. When they do, they can brag to the others that they have done more. I remember seeing it when my company started offering grants to some universities for some specialized computer research. The professors got very competitive."

"Exactly," Admiral Himmel said. "You don't have to wade through all the dispatches I get, but the various research stations play a very lively game of trying to top each other in the dispatches that go out to each district. I'm afraid your little discovery has someone thinking he can score points. So what did he demand?"

"Not much," Yvette said. "He's supposedly looking for transport here and is going to come and do his research here."

"I haven't heard a thing about this," Admiral Himmel growled. "And I sure as hell won't authorize any of my ships to go and pick him up."

"It's not official yet," James said. "First he demanded we send him everything on Peterbilt, but your daughter was in a hurry when she arrived. By the time we were told to do that, she'd made her delivery and was heading home. She was saying her concubine was going to give birth soon."

"Oh, Dixie! I miss her," Daphne cried. "Did she look fine? She has to be so lonely in that ship."

"We didn't actually see her," Yvette admitted. "She wanted to unload quickly and then leave, so she didn't come down. We did give her a bunny, and she seemed quite pleased by that."

"Well, little Buster here is so perfect. The older kids are thrilled to have a pet. I'm so happy you provided the AI with a schematic for a leash that a rabbit could wear. Although, I'm sure you are going to have requests for more. Everyone who's seen him wants one," Daphne said.

I giggled. "It was that way here. They are just so wonderful to have around."

Admiral Himmel sighed. "That sounds like Dixie. She was always happy just sitting alone and reading a book as a child. I just wish I knew she was happy."

"She sounded happy," James said. "We did encourage her to call you, but I think she's afraid that she disappointed you by going into the Auxiliary rather than fighting."

"Dear lord!" Admiral Himmel cried. "Dixie fighting? I couldn't imagine it. She's not the type. I expected her to end up on one of the breeder colonies as an administrator. Instead, she gets an important position running goods all over the Confederacy. You know she's cited as an example in training for all ship captains."

"Why? I mean, Stagecoach ships have no crew," Tiffany asked.

"Because she's organized and gets the most out of her ship at all times," Admiral Himmel said, pride in his voice. "That girl drives the crews at the supply stations crazy because she demands everything be loaded perfectly. She knows how a pound in the wrong container will unbalance her ship and will start checking manifests while still on approach to see that every piece of cargo is properly balanced and will go on her ship in the right order. Then her flight plans are aggressive in regards to flight time, but designed to minimize the risk of interception. Some Stagecoach ships have been forced to abandon cargo or a delivery due to Sa'arm activity. Dixie always gets the cargo to the destination and does it faster."

"You should let her know you are proud of her." James said.

"We'll send her a message," Daphne said. "Meanwhile, what should we do for you?"

"Sounds like we can only wait and see what this Chief Scientist managed to get approved," James said. "Let me know if you hear anything from Central Command."

"I will," Admiral Himmel said. "And while I don't have many contacts there anymore, I'll see if anyone can provide me with some information regarding the man. I'm sure you can use any warning."

We waited a moment and then Michelle sighed. "Call ended. Can we please call a relief team? I need a break. This has been too stressful."

Tiffany giggled. "AI, tell Paula and Jillian that they are needed for command post duty. They can bring Whitney and Claire. I'll be out of here soon and can do some training."

"Ouch," Estelle said. "Will Marilyn be happy watching all the babies?"

Tiffany shrugged. "Tam is with her today. She wanted a bit of experience with babies. They should be fine."

Everyone in the room looked at the table for a moment. I reached out to hug James, but he thrust himself to his feet and started pacing. "Right, so we know we are likely to get a very unwelcome visit from a rather self-important scientist. I think we need to prepare ahead of time."

"How?" Tiffany asked."

James looked at the table. "AI, reactivate the doors cutting the enclave off from the rest of the colony. We'll work out a way to schedule passage. Also the new rooms with the two entries need to be modified. The doors that allow people from the enclave to enter are to be converted into airlocks. Under no circumstances can both doors be open at the same time and should any outsider enter one of the airlocks I want them quietly knocked out and the command post alerted to send someone to investigate."

"You're that worried?" Estelle asked.

Yvette shook her head. "He's probably barely started."

"But that's..." the concubine said with a gasp.

"Wise," Louis mused looking at the table. "These orders can always be changed later, but for now he's making sure that any visitors can't rampage through the colony."

James had wandered near Brittany in his pacing. He swept her into a hug. "I've had to work with a couple of men who were political climbers. They saw no tactic as too nasty. There are going to be limits to what we can do to help this scientist. I don't want him trying to intimidate anyone in the colony into helping him."

"But what about the artifacts?" I asked.

"They aren't on the planet," Yvette said. "Most of the items that have been brought back by the probes has been toxic due to high levels of radioactivity. Timothy worked with the AI to create a special lab on Inanna. We can view the artifacts from here. Handling is done by mechanical arms controlled by the AI."

"That reminds me," James said. "AI, we need to have one of the pods in the other side of the colony set up as a satellite lab for this scientist. Also put some priority into getting the teleport room over there operational."

"Those changes will take two weeks," the AI said quietly.

James sighed and slumped back into a chair. I dashed over to jump in his lap and hug him. My body wanted to shake, but as he put his arms around me I was able to relax slightly.

"This is going to be a headache," Yvette said. "I now wish we'd never sent out those probes."

"They could have found something important," James said. "And we did confirm that the Sa'arm incursion has little depth in this area."

"Why?" Janice asked.

"From what we can gather from the information the probe has been bringing back, the alien civilization that left the ruins we have been finding stripped many planets of their resources. The planets can't support large populations and it would be difficult to build many ships from what you can scavenge," James said.

"That's good," Estelle replied thoughtfully.

"Not really," Louis said. "It also means that resource rich planets like Wolf three-six-seven are going to be fiercely defended. The Sa'arm need those resources badly and aren't going to give them up without a fight."

I held James tight as the room became quiet. Outside, we could hear Mike greet Paula and Jillian. The duo got a quick status update before they took over the command post. While that was going on Mike peeked into the room.

"James," he said. "I'm going to take my girls back to our pod. They need a bit of reassurance. Are you sure we'll be ok? That scientist sounded really upset."

"I'm not allowing anyone to harm the citizens of Ishtar or their families," James hissed. His arms tightened around me. He squeezed the air from my lungs as he continued. "I don't know this Chief Scientist, but I'm not about to give in to him just because he can get someone from Central Command to back him."

I felt James' arms relax and sucked in a deep breath of arm. Absently he patted my head and then looked up at the ceiling. "AI, when this man comes can I prevent him from bringing weapons to the planet?"

"There is a possibility that he will have marine escort," the AI replied.

"We can provide any weapons they would need from our armory should we actually be invaded," James replied. "So again, is it within our rights to require that no weapons be brought to the planet?"

"Your desire will be noted," the AI said. "There exists a possibility that events will require that weapons be distributed to all marines on the planet."

Yvette smiled. "That's understandable. And it's a good idea James. Keeping weapons out of their hands might keep this man a bit more humble."

Louis snorted at that, but said nothing. I felt James' arms tighten around my waist and I was lifted from his lap and set on the floor. As I turned to protest he stood up. "Meiko, why don't you spend some time with the babies," he suggested. 'I think I need to look at the available pods on the other side of the colony so I can suggest changes before any more calls come through."

He walked away before I could answer. The others in the room all scrambled to their feet and followed him out of the briefing room. I allowed all of them to exit before me and then slowly made my way out of the briefing room.

Back in the main command post I found Paula and Jillian sitting watching the displays. I glanced around for Tiffany, but only the three of us were in the room. "Tiffany took Claire and Whitney back to the pod for some more training," Paula said. "Everyone else headed out in a hurry. What happened?"

"I'm not sure,' I admitted. "I guess some probes that were sent out discovered alien ruins in a nearby system and the AI reported this find to Central Command. Some scientist called and demanded that he be allowed access."

Jillian giggled. "And how do we get the find to him? Your master is special, but I don't think he keeps a spaceship in his back pocket."

"He's coming here," I whispered.

"What?" Paula cried. "You mean we finally have a stable and friendly colony where everyone knows everyone else and some scientist is just going to barge in and disrupt everything?"

"That's what he wants," I replied. I turned to go when Jillian stiffened and reached for a control. "James," I heard her cry. "This caller is demanding to talk to you."

I could not hear the answer, but Jillian hit a couple more controls and then her voice started coming from the speakers I the ceiling. "Sir. I have connected James to the call, please understand that he's requested that all speakers on the colony play this conversation."

"I don't care about that," a harsh male voice growled. "I just need to understand why I have a scientist coming to me and demanding that I send him and a science team to a planet I haven't heard of before. And when I check on that planet it's light years behind enemy lines."

"That is a question without a simple answer," James said. "The reason your scientist wants to come here isn't too complex. We have sent some probes to nearby star systems. One of the probes found ruins of what we think might have been some alien colony. Your scientist wants to examine some artifacts that we had a probe retrieve. However, due to our location, it's not like we have regular freighter service and can just ship everything to him. As for why we are here, our duty is to provide rest and refit for ships raiding into Sa'arm space."

"And you haven't been wiped out?" the voice asked.

"We're underground," James said. "The atmosphere of Ishtar is extremely acidic. A unprotected human dies almost instantly if they come into contact with the air. From what we have seen Sa'arm ships don't last very long in our atmosphere."

"And what kind of reception is Colonel Johanes going to receive?" the voice asked.

"We are loyal citizens of the Confederacy," James said. His voice was flat and cold. I shivered at the emotionless tone. "As long as your people are respectful and willing to accept our traditions there will be no problems."

"That's not my problem," the voice said sharply. "You are a marine if I understand the information the AI provided me. So I'll make it simple. I'm Vice Admiral Gerhard Leverkusen. I'm in charge of all testing, research and development. You better understand my orders. You are to give Colonel Johanes full cooperation and access to your discoveries. If you can, send any electronic files immediately so he can view them on his way out."

"So he is coming here?" James asked.

"He'll be coming with a small staff and a platoon of marines. They arrive on the Sir Paridell in eight weeks if I am measuring the distances correctly. I expect that they will have no problems when they arrive," the vice admiral said coldly.

"Yes sir," James snapped. "Now I need to start getting things ready. We'll need to find beds for everyone. By the way, how many marines in this platoon?"

"It's a full unit, four ten-man squads and a four man command unit. Shouldn't you already know that, marine?" the vice admiral snapped.

James sighed. "We don't follow the standard table of organization here. But now I have to be going. It sounds like we need to prepare quarters for over sixty people and we need to set up lab space for your Colonel Johanes. By your leave."

"Go!" the vice admiral barked. "But I better not hear any complaints from the scientist once he gets there."

I watched Jillian as she cocked her head for a moment and then flipped several switches. "James," she called out. "The call has ended. Why did you allow everyone to hear that?'

"I figured it might keep him from being too overbearing if he realized that there would be witnesses to any orders he gave," James said. "I figured that if the scientist was a problem, his commander might be worse. Now we know. He's only going to be interested in results and will happily bring the hammer down on us if we fail to cooperate."

There was a long silence. I looked at my two friends as they frowned. The situation seemed so unfair. We finally had the colony set up so that it was home. And we had the admiration and respect of the majority of the military in the district. Now, we were facing an invasion of scientists.

I wanted to say something, but James' voice rang out. "Everyone, you heard the orders. We are going to have to put a bit of extra effort into getting pods ready for visitors. Yvette and Xavier, you are in charge of setting up some labs. Use the three pods nearest the new teleport station. Also, everyone is to make sure to take some sleep training in martial arts. Brad, Barbara, please organize some regular classes in the multi-use room. We are going to be outnumbered by the marines so I want everyone ready to defend themselves."

"You're going to let concubines learn to fight?" I heard Alexis shriek in surprise. I jumped in surprise.

"Sure he is," Yvette responded. "It's part of how much we trust our families. They deserve to have some protection, and we might not be able to be there."

"Not that any concubine will be working out here if I have a choice," James muttered.

I ran over to hug Paula and Jillian. They had tears in their eyes. More words were being said, but I ignored the speakers, instead dashing out of the command post and heading to the school to meet Bethany and my daughter.