Chapter 2 New Neighbors
"It's all about location, location, location. I tell you Marie, somebody must've been looking out for us. Our neighbors could've been much, much worse. We might just have enough time to prepare ourselves against the Drengin." President Alan Bradley speaking with his personal assistant Marie St. Cloud. Quoted from, In the shadow of greatness, by Marie St. Cloud. Stanley Press London.
Alliance City Earth, Sol System
2 January 2227 TSD
President Alan Bradley leaned back in his chair and pressed the cold glass of scotch against his forhead. With his other hand he rubbed his temple. He spoke quietly to his Vice President, Anna Maria López, "Anna, sometimes I wish we had established the capital in low earth orbit. That way I could just push those morons in the Senate out of a nearby airlock."
Anna Maria laughed softly, "Si', Alan that would be a handy way to deal with troublemakers. But it still wouldn't solve the issues with the voters. The tax rate is unbearably high." She held up a hand in protest as the President sat forward intending to speak, but she interrupted him, "I know, I know, it had to be done. I also know that the Navy has ordered the TAS Magellan through the Blackwell Rift into the systems beyond in hopes of finding either new planets to colonize or new civilizations in hopes of opening trade routes; is the best course of action. But we both know that it will be at least six months too a year before we could possibly see any economic gain. The question becomes, can we maintain a high tax rate?"
"If something doesn't breakthrough soon the Senate will force us to lower taxes. And that will put everything behind schedule. It's a double edged sword, if we don't find new civilizations than we have no potential new trading partners. If we do find new civilizations and they Eire hostile we will have to pour more money into the defense budget. Either way the budget will be stretched to the limit. Our only hope is to find a friendly civilization that would be receptive to trade. Honestly, I don't hold out much hope. And, as if further pressure wasn't already an issue there are elections in the Senate in three months. Right now we control the Senate but Senate leaders are putting a lot of pressure on me to lower taxes before the election. If I do our whole plan will collapse."
"Si', our whole plan will collapse but if we lose the Senate our plan might still fail. We have to make some type of conciliatory gesture," she responded.
"I agree. Speak with the economics minister. Tell them to cut back economic output from 75% full capacity to 60% full capacity. This will at least look like we're trying to be economically responsible. I hate to do it. This will slow down or plan but it won't derail it", he said as he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
"Are you sure that his big enough of a cutback?" she asked.
"It will have to be. I can't go any deeper. We are so close Anna Maria, two maybe three more years and all of this will be worth it. We just have to make it through this time. I can't fail now," he said wearily.
"Allen when was the last time you really slept? You look horrible," she said concern in her voice.
Without opening his eyes he smiled ruefully and said, "no rest for the wicked Anna Maria. I'll sleep when I'm dead."
"How incredibly morbid," she said quietly.
"No, how incredibly accurate."
Markus II, Gorkin Naval Shipyard
8 February 2227
Lieutenant Reilly O'Bannon stood at attention with his crew in front of Captain Nigel Hood. Captain Hood began, "today we commission the Terran alliance Navy's first warship, the TAS Alliance. From this humble beginning we will forge a tradition unparalleled in the history of mankind. Lieutenant O'Bannon you have been selected as one of the Navy's best and brightest to be the first commanding officer of this ship. Your actions will set the traditions of the Navy. I have the utmost confidence that you and your crew will be worthy of this task." Captain Hood then extended his hand to shake the lieutenants hand.
Taking Captain Hood's hand the Lieutenant spoke, "Sir over these last few weeks I've worked very closely with this crew. I could not possibly ask for a better, more professional group of men and women than are assembled here today. We realize that we are of the first of what is sure to become the best, most dedicated, most professional, Navy in the galaxy. We look forward to serving the alliance if the need should arise. Thank you for your support Sir."
At this Captain Hood turned and spoke loudly as he released the handle that launched a bottle of champagne at low velocity to impact the hull of the TAS Alliance and said, "I now christen you the TAS Alliance may she faithfully serve all those who stand on her decks."
The champagne bottle, specifically designed to break upon impact shattered against the hull of the ship. A nearby worker drone vacuumed up the remains of the bottle and the champagne to prevent debris from damaging other ships in the yard.
TAS Magellan, 1 parsec East of the Cordelia system
22 March 2227
"Lieutenant, it is definitely a spaceship no doubt about it. Sensor readings confirm that it is a starship." Said Chief Petty Officer 2 Adolfo Giuliani.
"Is it Arcean?" asked the captain of the TAS Magellan scout ship, Larry Nyguen.
"No sir, it's not Drengin either. I've never seen a ship like it before. And it doesn't match any type of ship that we have in the database." Responded CPO 2 Giuliani.
"Damn. Let's hope they're friendly. We couldn't even throw a rock at them." Responded the lieutenant.
"Yes sir, let's hope."
"Sir, we're getting some form of communication from the alien vessel," said CPO 2 Giuliani.
"Pipe it through the translator and hope that it works."
After a brief staticy noise the following message was heard over the speakers, "unidentified alien vessel this is the Iconian flagship. I am Captain Ibix of the Iconian Refuge please identify yourself."
Lieutenant O'Bannon thought, "Iconian Refuge? Who the hell are they?" But said aloud, "I am Captain Larry Nyguen of the Terran Alliance scout ship Magellan. We are peaceful explores of the galaxy. We welcome any and all other peaceful beings of the universe."
After a long silence the following message came over the speakers, "you are unknown to us. Have you heard of the Yor?" Asked Captain Ibix.
"The Yor are unknown to us we have not heard of them. We have only heard of the Arcean's and the Drengi. We seek only peaceful trade and contact with other races," responded Lt. Nyguen.
"We shall judge you by your actions, Terran Alliance," responded Captain Ibex.
"And we shall judge of the yours Captain Ibex. If you are amenable we would like to meet face-to-face," said Lt. Nyguen.
There was a very long pause before Captain Ibex responded, "that would be acceptable. On behalf of Emperor Iso the Wise I extend an official greeting to you and your crew to visit us aboard our ship."
"We are most honored Captain, on behalf of the people of the Terran Alliance I accept your most gracious offer," responded Nyguen.
Excerpt from the log of the TAS Magellan reporting on the first contact with the Ionian Refuge
25 March 20 227
Chapter III
The Ionians are refugees from their original home world. They were driven away by an evil race of mechanically created creatures that they invented. The scented beings were used primarily for dangerous manual labor jobs. However, after several years The Yor decided to take matters into their own hands and attempted to exterminate their creators. Out of a race of nearly 12 billion souls just over one million escaped their original home world. The Iconian's finally settled on the planet they named New Iconia. They then shut themselves off from the outside galaxy. Approximately 40 years ago an Arcean merchant vessel visited their system. When shown the new drive the Ionians realized that it was only a matter of time before their former servants came looking for them. From what little we have been able to deduce so far the Iconian race are ancient compared to our own. They speak of a race known as the Precursors and claim that they are the direct descendents of that race. Despite the lack of the Iconian's having developed a universal translator we were able to negotiate an economic and scientific trade agreement with them at highly advantageous terms to us. For our knowledge of the universal translator, Xeno communications, and basic logistics; we were able to obtain information on Xeno medicine, aquatic world colonization, toxic atmosphere reductor, starship defenses, and armor theory. (See chapter VI for further details.) I believe that we have laid the foundation for a strong friendly relationship with the Iconian's.
TAS Magellan, two weeks into the Blackwell Rift
8 May 2227
"Here we go again skipper. We have an unidentified contacted at the extreme range of sensor readings," said CP0 2 Giuliani.
"Is it another Iconian ship? Or something else?" asked Lieutenant Nyguen.
"It's something else. Roughly the same size but differnt hull configuration," said CPO 2 Giuliani.
"How much longer until we are in range to communicate?" asked the captain.
"Roughly 30 minutes give or take before we are close enough not to take forever to communicate back and forth."
"All right, let's see if these guys are friendly too," said Lt. Nyguen.
"If they're not do on a half permission to stand behind you?" Asked CP0 2 Giuliani ruefully.
"You might want to stand behind Tommy he's a little wider in the middle than me," said Lt. Nyguen.
The ship's engineer Chief Petty Officer 3 Thomas "Tommy" Gordon answered without taking his eyes from his readings, "I have to keep up my strength for potential hot alien women out there. You married types wouldn't know anything about that," he said matter-of-factly.
"I've heard of sailors having women in every port but that takes the extreme. What if she has tentacles or something?" Asked CP0 2 Giuliani.
"I guess that just depends on how they're attached and what she can do with them," he responded.
"All right gentlemen, let's focus here, we could potentially be meeting a new race again and we need to be on our best behavior. No making passes at the aliens please," said Lt. Nyguen.
"Yes sir," both men answered.
Excerpt from the log of the TAS Magellan reporting on the first contact with the Torian Confederacy
10 May 2227
Prologue
The evidence of the proof of the Drengin Empire has been further substantiated by a first contact with the Torian Confederacy. For thousands of years the Torian's were slaves to the Drengin Empire. They liked us, fear that unless they are adequately prepared that they will once again be enslaved by the Drengin. The Dorian's appear to be a noble, proud, and honorable race. Once again our superior ability with diplomacy have enabled us to successfully conclude an exchange of technology. The Torian Captain also expressed a willingness for trade between our two peoples as well as full diplomatic relations between our two governments. I suggest that at the earliest possible convenience that formal diplomatic relations be established. We provided the Torian Captain coordinates on the location of the Earth and they provided coordinates on the location of their capital Toria.
Excerpt from the log TAS Magellan summarizing the first half of the year 2227
2 July 2227 by Captain Larry Nyguen
"Over the last six months the ship and crew of the TAS Magellan have encountered no fewer than three major alien races, the Torian's, the Iconian's, and the Dominion of Korx; and two minor races that inhabit only single star systems. These two races of called Jessuins and the Alkians. Both of the minor races appear to be friendly and interested in trade and sharing technology. Both of the minor races also appear to be peaceful and nature. The only real note of concern is with the Dominion of Korx. This race of beings appears to be at first glance the embodiment of all that is evil with free-market capitalism. They will trade anything if there is money in it. Some of the more unsavory items they wished to trade with us will items such as addictive drugs, slaves, and torture devices. Other more benign items included food, luxury items, and farming equipment. Any formal treaty with this race must be tempered by the fact that if the money is right they will sell us out to suit their best interests. Caution is strongly advised."
Alliance Commercial shipyard high Earth orbit, Sol system
1 October 2227
Trevor Cartwright stood at the entrance to the docking module for Hermes Corp.'s first interstellar freighter the TAMS Far Star. As the CEO of Hermes Corp. he knew that the ship would make or break Earth's largest trade conglomerate. Filled from bow to stern with every imaginable type of trade good this ship represented the hope of Hermes Corp.'s millions of investors. He turned to face the ship's newly appointed captain Lillian Holbrook and said, "Captain are you pleased with the ship?"
"Yes sir, she's the finest ship I've ever seen. I expect to have no difficulties with her. Her crew is some of the finest I've ever trained with," she said with pride in her voice.
"Excellent. The futures of thousands of people rest on your shoulders Captain. I don't say this to place an undue burden upon you however, I say this to illustrate the absolute faith that I and the Board of Directors have in your ability to lead this mission. Have a safe and prosperous mission Captain," said Mr. Cartwright as he extended his hand to shake hers.
She grasped his offered hand firmly and said, "I won't let you or the Board of Directors down sir. When next we return to Earth we will all be richer than even the dreams of Midas," she responded with a smile.
"I don't doubt that Captain, I don't doubt that at all," he answered. "But remember it's not just our investors that we have to worry about it's the taxpayers of the Terran Alliance. They are responsible for much of our initial startup cost. If we don't turn a profit and turn one soon our little experiment will fail and more than our financial futures could be at stake."
"Sir, by nature I'm not a political person but I do know that many in the Alliance are upset with the government's spending priorities. I can promise you right here right now sir that this venture will be an unmitigated success. I wouldn't have gotten involved in it if I didn't think it would be successful. I think the taxpayers will be very happy with the results of this mission and they will also see a large return on their investment," she said as she released his hand.
"I'm glad you understand the situation Captain. Well, enough jawboning, you have a ship to sail and I've accompany to run, I will let you attend to your duties," he said likely patting her on the shoulder.
"Very well sir," she said as she saluted him and turned to walk the umbilical tunnel to her ship.