Traitor
Chapter 15 - Joining Forces

The meetings occurred after breakfast in his conference room, adjacent to the bridge. As usual the table was replete with pastries, and there were a variety of drinks to please most tastes.

The intelligence group held the floor.

“The nearest troops to our target are a mile away. We can’t find an underground tunnel that communicates with the target building. I still have an uneasy feeling that there’s a subterranean connection.” Connie stated with concern evident in her voice.

“We can insert gas into the building through the air conditioning system and also make holes in the walls at floor or ceiling level to ensure comprehensive coverage. We’ll have less of a confrontation then, and should capture the priests and the clones more easily.” Janet said.

“There’s a large square in front of the building where we’ll install our anti-fighter, anti-gunship systems alternating with antitank and antipersonnel ordinance. There’s enough room for us to do everything we need, and have a substantial escort on the ground. We’ll also bring our own tanks. We’ll bring explosive into the building and use it if necessary if we find connecting tunnels.

“On a superficial level you may consider this overkill. I also agree with Connie. There’s something about the situation that worries me. If the troops are alerted, it’s important to know and remember that there are at least ten thousand of them with powerful weaponry. We are going to hit them very hard in their barracks from the ship, then hit them again using our fighters and gunships and then use our tanks supported by gunships to try and mop as many of them as we can before they can use their own weaponry.

“Both Phoebe and I’ve been involved with the design of defensive positions and we know that they will have hardened underground facilities. We’ll be hit by a counterattack that will include fighters and gunships. We’ll also see troops emerge from hidden and hardened facilities. As soon as we see them emerge we’ll hit them from the ship and our frigates in the atmosphere, but we’ll be facing a significant force. Speed is of the essence. We need to get in and out of there as soon as possible. There’s little value in going head-to-head with them in the short term. We do not have sufficient marines to go toe to toe with them. Our attack will give us an opportunity to hit them hard and they will be forced to reveal their defenses.

“I’ll ensure that sufficient force will be put in place so we can defend ourselves. Our priority is to escape with our prisoners. We try to plan for every eventuality, and this has saved us on many previous occasions. Fast action is the key. No matter how good our intelligence is, unless you spend months watching the enemy you don’t find hidden forces.

“In my early career, I was exposed to an excessive amount of poor intelligence, and lost many people as a result. It’s for that reason that we have made as much effort as we can to explore what we are going to face. We need to be excessively careful. On top of that, the situation looks too easy and it has the feel of a trap,” Janet said firmly and convincingly. ” I want to fight every battle with them on our terms.”

“We’ll complete the destruction of the moon defenses, and the defensive platforms, before the ground forces hits the dirt,” Col. Phoebe Harris noted. “We’ll then expect to face camouflaged and hidden weaponry. Mines are already in place around the defensive platforms and we have placed explosives on the platforms without exposing our presence. Special forces and further Marines are deployed to infiltrate the defenses on the moon as they appeared to be more hardened than the planetary ones. We are alert to the possibility of fighters on the moon.

“We have prepared bunker busting missiles to follow conventional missiles hitting the garrisons. We hope to destroy underground structures beneath the more obvious garrisons.

“Our infiltrators will introduce gas into the facility prior to the first shot or the first explosion, then our marines will hit the ground when we predict the facility will be asleep and then the tanks, fighters and gunships can safely move in to protect against other eventualities. Another group will set up the ground-based defensive systems. We have fitted out most of our missile ships to play a significant role in an anti-fighter, tank and gunship role; I’ve a feeling that we’ll use them all.

“We’ll load the remainder of missile ships with bunker busters. The second we see fighters emerging from a facility we’ll hit the facility from the ship and then with further bunker busters from the ground-based missile ships if we see more activity. We’ll station part of our growing fleet on the other side of the planet to hit any facility that’s exposed.

We don’t have enough ground forces to fight a sustained action, however we’ll prevail with what we have!” said Janet confidently. Most of our forces will be deployed in the establishment of a robust defensive perimeter for the defense of the extraction troops.

The priests’ planet Nirvana, Cardinals compound, Temple of Paradise, Conference room adjacent to the office of his worship Patriarch Zora.

Eight Cardinals sat at their usual seats part way through the weekly meeting with the Patriarch Zora.

“Cardinal Malkinski, I note with a degree of concern that we have not heard from my ship for well over a week. Ezekiel, isn’t that a little unusual? Bishop Friedrich has been such a reliable fellow. I’ve known him since he was a child. It’s unlike him not to call home,” said the Patriarch unctuously.

“Your Eminence we have had several communications from the ship that are brief, the last one was nine days ago. They indicated that they were concerned that they were under surveillance and didn’t want to put themselves at risk by communicating with us. They indicated that everything was progressing according to the plan, and they were doing very well.

“The pretender from Earth has futilely been attempting to meddle with the effectiveness of the work on the ship’s computer systems, but they were easily able to thwart his puny efforts. They said he didn’t have a crystal and would be unlikely to acquire one, and they were reversing his feeble efforts daily.

“They told me that one of them saw him board the ship and he was old and frail. They estimated he was ancient and must have been one of the earliest to receive medical treatment before he left for that Lord forsaken planet Earth, probably older than the Emperor and the Matriarch. He must have not been eligible for a crystal, possibly a defective.

“They believe they have been successful at poisoning him, but his vicious animals tore apart friar François Bechtold after the event. Bechtold was attempting a reconnaissance prior to a kidnap attempt,” said Ezekiel Malkinski the head of intelligence. “We don’t have the equipment to deal with these unknown wild animals. Kidnapping isn’t a short-term option. They will still seek an opportunity, but they pointed out they had much work to do.”

“What have we heard about the trap?” asked the Patriarch.

“All goes well. Your ship has not yet arrived. They are traveling at a very slow pace,” said Malkinski and laughed.

“Our people are finding the association with The Mob very trying. They are stubborn and can’t accept the clear validity of our way. They are increasingly defiant. It’s unacceptable, your Eminence.

“It’ll be important for us to train more of our people to become competent military leaders. We can’t rely on outsiders for the indefinite future the risks will be too great. For the time being they’re in position and are waiting and assure us they are ready to spring their little surprises.” Malkinski said and laughed.

“They assured me that they had previously heard from the ship that our people have been able to achieve far more than we had ever hoped. They managed to hide the entire supply of ship missiles in an unused hanger, they have unloaded the weapons and discharged or hidden the ordinance and have developed programs to interfere with the aim of weapons and decrease the power that’s available to the weapons for recharge. The ship won’t be able to function satisfactorily as they will slow down the AI, so that it’s worse than useless. I managed to ensure that the competent captain was replaced by a low-level cargo AI pilot. The boarding parties have comprehensive plans of the ship.

“Your Eminence we have done as much as we can. If they fail it’ll simply be a more difficult battle and if they don’t succeed at the first point, we’ll succeed at the next waypoint.

“I find it difficult to believe that they can possibly deal with both the traps.”

“I see that the preparations of the fleet are proceeding as planned. Our reluctant admiral has clearly been doing what we have wanted. The people of the Empire have become weak and soft. They are so easily blackmailed into doing what we want when we have their family. They need to know the pain and suffering I’ve gone through, and then they would have some backbone.

“What of our meetings with The Mob?” The Patriarch asked.

“Those meetings are on schedule. I think they like the idea of an attack on the Empire. They will hear how much we have done to weaken the Empire and prevent their ability to react. There’s enough that we can tell them that will draw them in to capture a fat prize. Then you will have your reward” said Malkinski.

“I’ll have the matriarchs head on a plate gilded on a platform in the cleanser where she can watch me perform my usual ablutions.

“It’s sad to have to ally ourselves with this group who call themselves The Mob. I’ve come to despise their leadership. Many of those who I knew from my youth have been displaced by this new arrogant group whose origin I can’t establish. We must watch them I don’t trust them, I suspect that they have usurped the power for themselves. Their worlds are very wealthy and I know they had good people, but they have fallen behind the Empire more and more over time,” said Papa Zora.

“Soon we’ll have our own fleet and a substantial military force which we can bend to our will. We’ll show this Mob that we’ll be a force to be reckoned with. What is next on the agenda? Let’s move on to business units.

“Sabas, I see that our business is progressing well. Sales are flourishing and your supplies of people appear to have increased. Let’s keep it up, maintaining the fleet is going to be an expensive proposition! Providing sufficient food for the fleet was difficult to achieve. We have had to send some of our best farmers to the ships in order to grow their own food and thus keep our costs down; but even so, the cost was breathtaking. The whole clone exercise in itself used nearly half our reserves. I have to say it’s not much cheaper to acquire a fleet rather than buy one, but in practical terms it’s the only way to go,” The Patriarch proclaimed in a sonorous voice while looking proudly at his team.

They all laughed long and loudly.

Four hours later, Jason was in one of the large shuttles. He was dressed in heavy armor with an integrated helmet and visor. The armor was powered and bristling with weapons. He had operated the armor in simulations so he was familiar with the interface, but being in the armor was different. It felt claustrophobic until one got used to the capacity for 360° vision, and could breathe freely. He was to be protected by twenty Marines, with their two Corporals, a Sergeant, and a Lieutenant. He could see they were loaded for bear. The trip to the surface was eerily quiet. The defense platforms didn’t lock onto them as they were too small and cloaked.

Inertia and atmospheric travel had been mastered tens of thousands of years ago. They hopped through the atmosphere to the surface and landed along with sixty massive tanks, miscellaneous armored vehicles, gunships which were effectively weapon and missile platforms and much larger versions of the tanks and troop carrier after troop carrier.

They ran towards the building while the Marines unloaded the missile systems and defensive batteries which were mounted on special heavy tanks customized for the purpose.

The intelligence group assured them that the people in the facility were asleep. The Marines entered the house ahead of Jason and rapidly bound the priests and began moving them to shuttles. He heard Janet say that the defensive platforms had been disabled as were the known facilities on the moon.

The Marines suggested that Jason make his way to the senior general. Jason entered the room to see a body on the bed completely covered by blankets. He approached the bed, the cupboard opened and there was the general in full armor, dressed in armor similar to his.

“In my hand, I’ve a trigger for a very large bomb under the bed. You had better talk quickly or we’ll all be in fragments. Who are you and what is your purpose?”

She opened her other hand to show an Armog 8; a very lethal grenade of Empire manufacture. She pointed to one of the Marines.

“Look under the bed at the box and tell them what you see,” she commanded in a firm but calm voice.

The Marine moved to look under the bed as instructed.

“There’s a very big box of Armog 8 grenades under the bed that are all wired together. It looks like one of the boxes of sixties. That baby will create one hell of an explosion.”

“Many of us here have the same under our beds. We have nothing to lose. So, tell me a good story and give me a reason not to blow ourselves into oblivion. Do not underestimate us as being amateurs,; we knew we were under surveillance. You must think us amateurs. Give me a reason not to kill us all.”

They could hear explosions in the distance. Jason assumed that it was the ship missile and cannon fire.

“I don’t believe you. I think it’s a fabrication. The priests wouldn’t let you’ve so much ordinance. They wouldn’t take the risk of letting you be in control of so much dangerous explosive,” said marine Sergeant Olivia McNamara.

“I’m delighted,” the General said, “that someone here had some brains. I hope that means that we have some potential for discussion but make it quick, time is passing, and soon we all are going to be in danger. To answer your question, we insisted on practicing with weapons and grenades. The priests got bored watching us and we hid a lot of ordnance. We built up their trust.”

The explosions now started closer to them and began to move out. They had to shout to be heard. Jason heard the sound of anti-aircraft missiles which he recalled from simulations.

“My name is Jason Kargo and I come from a primitive planet called Earth. My family was originally from the Empire and we were placed on the planet for reasons that I don’t know. A battleship came to fetch me. That battleship is above us and we are destroying the priests’ positions. We came here to take the senior officers back to our battleship to find out what is going on. My family and in particular my great-grandfather is ill, and the Empress sent for me to return to assist him. My family name is Kargo. My great-grandfather previously was one of the kings, but is now sick.

“Let me provide you with a very brief history of my journey to the Empire, I tell it to you as it’s relevant. I found a priest trying to poison me after I was on the ship for two months, and discovered that it’s part of an extended plot by the priests to poison men throughout the Empire to reduce their fertility and function. I also found a considerable amount of incriminating material about Papa Zora, traitor to the Empire, on the ship. He used the ship extensively at one time. He created the clones and we suspect he wants to use you to attack the Empire. He hates the Empire and has aligned with The Mob.

“He also has groups of priests hidden on the battleship trying to sabotage what we do. We have had a series of attacks upon us to block my coming to the Empire. I propose that we take you and your people with us to the ship and have discussions to work together to attack Papa Zora.

“There may be a second incentive for you guys to join us. I understand that those of the royal family have unique genes. If I’m of the royal family, then my genes, I understand, are able to help repair your genes. That’s the rumor that I have heard. That will at least give some of you a normal life. If you’ve a gene test machine you can validate my royal status.”

“Marine,” she pointed at the same one who had looked under the bed, “go to the door and turn left and at the first door on your left enter and ask my assistant to bring in the gene validator.”

Jason heard what he assumed were fighters scream past, then further explosions followed by lesser detonations at a distance. The sounds were coming closer.

The marine went next door and brought in a major who was similarly clutching a trigger and carrying the gene validator.

“Test this gentleman who will need to expose his hand at least and tell me if he’s of royal origin,” said the general, “and make it snappy we need to get the hell out of this place.”

“Processing,” she said, “hold on it takes a while for full validation with the primitive connection we have here. The priests are real cheapskates when it comes to spending on infrastructure in this place,” she showed the general what there was on the panel.

“All right,” replied the general, “get Andrea and tell her to move her people to the shuttles and tell the others it’s okay and I’ll explain later, we need to move and move now! This place will soon be hornet’s nest and I don’t want to be Krevil mince.”

Jason heard a further series of explosions initially in the distance and then moving closer. He felt the ground shudder and assumed that it was the first of the bunker busters. From then on it was constant explosions and shuddering. Marines carried the priests with ties on their wrists and ankles and soon were on their way back to the ship. The generals and admirals and their staff all in full armor ran out with Jason to the gunship and escorts, boarded and quickly found themselves in space with the battleship in distant sight, but they were rapidly approaching the ship.

Jason introduced himself to General Linda Andrews and Admiral Andrea Phillips, the most senior of those in command staff, as the gunship hurtled towards their target.

Suddenly Jason felt the shuttle take evasive action as an enemy fighter made its way towards them and a pair of missiles narrowly missed them to explode as the short-range gunship cannon and missiles intercepted them. They stopped talking and watched the spherical gunship hologram intently. They saw one of the fighters from the battleship coming up rapidly behind it and hit it with cannon fire. On the hologram, he saw hundreds of missiles leaving the surface and dogfights near the surface and above. He saw some battleship fighters returning to the ship and then saw a cloud of fighters emerging from the other side of the planet. He could see damaged and derelict weapons platforms and extensive debris. Suddenly he saw two squadrons of enemy fighters blocking their path rapidly converging on their position, firing missiles. Their gunship was moving in an erratic pattern, countermeasures were being ejected and the point defense system was firing mini-cannon and missiles continuously. Their escort of nine fighters and a gunship did their best to protect them but quickly they were whittled down to three fighters and a damaged gunship. The remainder of the enemy squadrons was similarly reduced and was heading towards them. Jason began to believe he was facing his doom.

Jason saw two of their own frigates, heading their way firing missiles and cannon at the enemy fighters. He felt a great sense of relief, and then the gunship lurched as he felt a sickening blow to the hull. His visor closed automatically as the hull was breached. He saw one of the sleeping priests, a section of the hull and the priest’s chair sucked out, along with all their air. He felt his seat hold him. He saw the amazing automated hull repair system in action as the hole closed quickly from the edges to seal the shuttle in moments. The shuttle lurched sickeningly again before their trip smoothed out again. He saw the frigates, one alongside them, and one ahead of them. The only enemy fighters he could see were too far away to harm them. They were going to make it.

He bent over and kissed the hanger’s deck when he’d shed his armor and had exited the shuttle. The Marines and the clones laughed.

Jason invited the senior staff to accompany him to the bridge meeting area, accompanied by an escort of his Marines. He asked the sergeant to arrange to provide quarters for the less senior officers, close to where the marines and fighter pilots were berthed.

“Welcome to the bridge and operations planning and control area; or, as I think of it, command central. Please excuse me for a moment while we review the status of our operation. When the situation settles we’ll do introductions and we can chat briefly,” Jason said apologetically. “Then, I’ll arrange for you to be shown your wardrooms, where you can refresh yourselves. Our marines will show you to our canteen and we’ll meet up for lunch.”

Marie showed up with a team of waiter bots who brought drinks and a selection of Danish pastries and ‘bear claws.’

Jason cycled through a series of holograms and split them in half, looking simultaneously at what had happened, on his left, and what was happening on his right in space and on the ground. As soon as the attack began he saw that an enemy force of fighters, tanks, and gunships emerged from underground bunkers to engage the atmospheric fighters. Bunker busters soon struck the area and no further fighters emerged. The fighting was intense but the battleship fighters were assisted by heavy gunships, missile gunships and the frigates in the atmosphere. The missile platforms were cleared early in the conflict and many of the ground forces had been also rapidly destroyed. The wildcard was several further small launches of fighters along with a further five thousand troops emerging from underground bunkers that had not been previously located.

The enemy troops didn’t have adequate anti-air/space defenses. They also had no defense against the relentless attacks from the ship-based heavy weapons. The large number of anti-aircraft missiles and other defensive cannon that they had taken to the surface as suggested by Winston made a critical difference. It may have even turned the tide. It took some time for the ship-based fighters to whittle down the last few enemy fighters. Some had left the atmosphere to attempt to engage some of the shuttle traffic and attempted to intercept the gunship with most of the priests.

It was heavily armed and protected by a number of fighters and two missile carriers which helped to destroy the fighters. Jason saw the missile ship that had escorted them taken out by a heavy enemy gunship that was itself destroyed in the attack. Rogue enemy fighters were still around in some numbers but their missiles were ineffective against bigger ship’s shields. The battleship and cruiser employed their middle range batteries with some effect, but often missed agile fighters. They resorted to missiles that were more successful, but were gross overkill for the size of the fighters.

The enemy managed to shoot down forty-three fighters and one gunship but all the pilots survived. Four of the fighters had crashed into the ground. They recovered all but one pilot, whom the enemy had captured.

On the ground, the tanks had proven themselves invaluable. They were equipped to deal with both air and ground forces and should realistically have been called a small heavily armored battle shuttles. They carried thirty marines. They were more than a match for the ground force enemy equivalents. Two had been destroyed and four severely damaged, but the ground forces in opposition were in disarray. They had no protection from the continued remorseless air attack and attempted to hide for protection.

Jason noticed that Gen. Linda Andrews and Adm. Andrea Phillips followed the action on the holograms intently as Jason observed the action and the AI statistics and explanation when asked.

Janet Malone recalled the ground forces as soon as Jason left the surface and all forces when he returned. Jason introduced her and Phoebe Harris to General Linda Andrews and Admiral Andrea Phillips and the rest of the senior clone team to the ship planning team. Phoebe arranged for the most senior general staff to be accommodated in Jason’s area, but concurrently increased the security contingent significantly. The area was still barely occupied

Robert and Marie were delighted to bring in more staff from other areas for their canteen.

“Jason at long last we are approaching the appropriate level of high level people on the ship and in this canteen. Double the number and add a few and we’ll be there. Another five hundred and we’ll be humming. All my top-level staff has been returned, and we’ll be buzzing with activity and great food! We won’t let you down,” said Robert excitedly. Jason saw him hopping from foot to foot and rubbing his hands together. Marie was continuously grinning widely and then danced Jason around the kitchen.

“Jason, I’ve the sense that history is being made, and you are at the center. When you become famous, make sure that you remember me and Marie, early partners in this endeavor. This has become a really exciting trip and an adventure second to none.”

“Sorry, Mr. Chef, I’m the chief Poobah of the Empire, and I don’t think that I’ve met you before, what is your name?” Jason asked and laughed. “Robert who are all these people trooping in and through the kitchen, and what on earth are they doing with all that food?”

“The senior general officers were joined by their personal staff who are stocking their state rooms with food and drink. The elite clones have had time to settle in and are allegedly relaxing in the lounge area before lunch. It’s pretty intense in there and it looks like they’re having some heavy discussions. You need to learn how to use a staff of your own. You do too much yourself.

“Jason, I met the originals of both the top general and the admiral a long time ago. Linda Andrews was an amazing general. She had a sunny disposition and loved practical jokes. Adm. Andrea Phillips was a great admiral and an incredible organizer. She was a sophisticated and incredibly beautiful woman, but icy in demeanor. As a person, she was a royal prime bitch. Be careful of her. She had a real nasty streak and her mouth could spit pure poison. I walked around her like I was on thin ice,” said Robert visibly shuddering. The only woman who scared me more was the Empress, but she was never spiteful or a bitch.

Jason went to see the dogs, and took them for a run as he cycled around the ship and then had a chat with Winston. Jason thoroughly enjoyed speaking to him. He seemed very wise but reticent about speaking about his people. His advice was often invaluable.

“I’m embarrassed to say, Winston, that I was terrified when we were returning in the gunship. I thought that we were all going to die. I’ve relived the images ever since we have got back, particularly the part where the whole section of the hull disappeared along with the priest. I blessed the technology of the Empire that shut my helmet and then repaired the hull.”

“It was indeed and awful experience. I’ve been through a lot during the course of my life but I have to count that as one of my worst experiences,” said Winston, “If you die, I die!”

“I’m very pleased that it was one of the priests that died rather than one of the marines or the clones,” Jason breathlessly told him.

“Life is often full of danger for those who make a difference in societies and nations. There were times when I had years and sometimes even decades of fear. I’ve had extended periods of terror. I’ve learned that it isn’t the fear that kills you it’s the bad decisions that one makes in dealing with fear that can kill you.

“In the shuttle, there was nothing you could do. You needed to simply acknowledge the fear and let it pass. You will have many more times where you will need to make decisions while experiencing fear or even terror. They are the times that we all find the most difficult. Do not be ashamed of your fear. Every person on the shuttle felt it. The Marines have felt it often and have learned to deal with their fear and go on. Every battle poses a risk. The closer you are to a visible enemy who is shooting it you, the greater the fear.

“Talk to yourself, ask what is the best course of action? What is the best decision? In these encounters, the ultimate risk is death. Every soldier and every hunter faces death more often than many. For a general it’s the risk of losing your troops and the later guilt and loss of face. You’ve learned to control your fear in martial arts. You will face many future encounters where it’s ‘kill, or be killed’. You can’t hesitate or you will be lost.

“Accept your fear, but don’t let it rule you. The hardest times for me have been times when I’ve faced terror, knew that I was at risk, but battled to make the appropriate decision. I also knew that in some of those situations the wrong decision would have led to many deaths, and the right decision to fewer deaths. The worst decisions are when you are deciding between two situations where both outcomes are potentially bad. Whatever way you decide you lose something.

“You are not a man who will have a calm peaceful life. You are destined for other things,” said Winston prophetically.

“Today was an important day to learn a vital lesson,” he said broodingly while projecting an image of himself sucking at a pipe and sitting on a chair with his legs crossed looking deep in thought.

Jason’s canteen was now about a third full. Its original purpose was the eating area for senior command staff and their support staff. Their voices silently echoed from deep in the walls, but now there was life and energy in the room. Jason and his senior people along with the general staff made themselves comfortable after introductions.

Robert provided his usual level of spread, but without wine. Jason didn’t want anyone to feel that alcohol influenced them. Jason was joined at his table by Colonels Janet Malone and Phoebe Harris, Gen. Linda Andrews, Adm. Andrea Phillips, Gen. Matilda MacArthur, and a few of their senior staff.

“Linda is my name, war is my game,” she said dramatically while smiling, “life is too short for formality.

“We live and die by the sword Lord Kargo is that not so?” Linda asked in a teasing voice. “You’ve already met Andrea and the others except for Gen. Matilda MacArthur who heads intelligence on our team.”

“In this canteen, we thrive on the quality of the food, Linda. Before I came on the ship the only sword that I’d ever seen, was in exhibition martial arts tournaments or in textbooks. I was an old man looking forward to death before my resurrection on the ship. My life is far more adventurous now. We’ll eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die. Life is full of the pleasures of food and drink and we would like you to enjoy the best that Robert and Marie can provide. I can promise you it’ll be a delight. We are generally very relaxed and easy going. Nothing much happens on this ship. Meeting you guys was a bit different but more of what we find relaxing about this trip. The trip to the surface was fun, but the trip back a bit jarring. Perhaps you can speak to the pilot, Phoebe? Say I prefer my trips to be direct not all over the place. I want no excuses!”

He looked around the table at the clones looking at him open mouthed and his group grinning broadly.

“Robert will provide a light lunch before we adjourn back to the conference room for more formal discussions. We won’t provide alcohol until we have completed our discussions and have agreed to work together or to part our ways. Marie will put on one of her special dinners tonight and you will sample the food of my planet.

“To good appetite!” Jason said and smiled while waving to the wait-bots to serve the food. He watched as the clones carefully observed what each person ate and what cutlery they used. He watched them carefully chew the food after smelling it and then began to eat more quickly while smiling and laughing.

“None of us have ever had food like this. We ate three identical meals a day consisting of a brown semisolid mixture and had water with it. That was what we thought all food was. We have also never had alcohol, and look forward to trying it tonight,” said Andrea.

“I had considered getting you all drunk and persuading you all to dance naked on the tables, but you would have accused me of leading you astray in the discussions while you would have been asleep. I wanted no excuses after the decisions are made. So, no grog for you lot just yet,” Jason said seriously.

“Well, you can lead me astray after dinner with pleasure,” said Linda smiling widely, “and Andrea would also be happy to help me.”

Andrea blushed.

“Well, if I have to do it, I shall,” said Jason grinning, “after all, it’s two against one. Who am I to go against the odds?”

The clones at the other tables very carefully tasted each new food, but very soon tucked in, and demolished everything on their plates. The tables had arranged themselves by rank and common interests, and people were chatting animatedly. Amongst the clones, he saw no males.

Jason looked at Linda as she sat next to him. There was something about her that he found intensely attractive. Andrea was sitting opposite him, and despite his reservations that he felt about her from his discussion with Robert he also found her very attractive, but not in the same way. She reminded him of a reserved but beautiful and refined German Countess, he had seen and met when traveling in Bavaria with Sarah, in their younger days. Linda was outgoing, loud and gregarious and playful with others at the table, while Andrea was quiet and reticent.

Linda held onto Jason’s arm, and behaved as if she was his devoted partner, kissed him on the cheek, and delighted in his blushes.

“My original was a loving woman in a long-term relationship that was very happy. She adored her family and was known as a warm outgoing person. That’s certainly the way I feel and I can identify with her,” Linda said very openly.

Adm. Andrea Phillips gradually began to warm up as the meal progressed. Jason found her stunningly beautiful and was increasingly drawn to her as well.

“Please, call me Andrea,” she said warmly, “my original tended to be quite formal in her dealings with most people and took a long time to be relaxed and informal with people she knew. She demanded efficiency on the bridge and in planning. My original was known as a meticulous planner but a bit of a bitch, who led the fleet to victory in the second Mob war,” she said proudly.

Andrea sat on the other side of Jason, and by the end of the meal was as friendly as Linda. Neither seemed the least jealous of the other. He noticed Phoebe and Janet grinning from the other side of the table. They didn’t seem disturbed in the least.

Jason remained puzzled at his own behavior. There was no way in a million years that he would have allowed himself, or would have even considered a relationship with more than one woman, while on Earth.

He considered himself very reticent and even shy, and was careful not to get involved with any women other than his wife, on Earth, while casual relationships were firmly against his principles.

Jason had loved his wife, but now he was having casual relationships with three women, was having children with many women, and was in the process of hoping to be involved with two more very attractive, intelligent, interesting, and powerful women. They looked as if they were in the early twenties but sounded much older and more considered. He knew they were no older than 6 months, yet both were surprisingly well rounded.

He didn’t know what to make of himself. He kept telling himself that he wasn’t on Earth and he needed to adopt a new value system. It didn’t come easily.

Marie had told him, in the Empire, women were the predators. As men were poisoned, they lost interest and drive, women had to work harder to attract them and interest them. Women dominated the society.

He didn’t know how the emperor was in control, but perhaps he was a token figure and the Empress was the power behind the throne. There were a few isolated men who seemed strong and healthy. Robert the chef was one. Not one single clone was male, though.

Jason did increasingly like Andrea and Linda. He was very much more attracted to them than he was to Janet Malone of the Marines or Phoebe Harris of the fighter pilots, though they were both very attractive and interesting women. He did very much enjoy the company of both Janet and Phoebe, but there was a difference that he couldn’t quantify. He felt, after just a short meal, as though he had known both clones for a very long time. He had an immediate strong attachment to them, and a strange longing to be with them both. It’s ridiculous he told himself, I can’t be feeling so much for them so soon!

They adjourned to the conference room where the chefs had done them proud with delicately cut fruit for dessert. They were provided with forks and plates and encouraged to try the food. A server offered them coffee and suggested cappuccino for all of those who had not tried it, and delivered tea to the usual suspects. After a suitable time, Jason dismissed the service-bots, thanking them, and proceeded to introduce the discussion.

“Ladies I do hope that we can work together to achieve common goals. We need to have a full and frank discussion to reach common decisions about objectives and see if we can agree.

“May I try and summarize the issues as I see them even though I risk boring you restating some of what many of you already know?

“Papa Zora, who used this ship extensively due to the generosity of the Empress, attempted via one of his minions to poison me. He let slip that the priests are poisoning all the males of the Empire. We have fought off pirates and subsequently have been attacked by two groups of ships waiting to ambush us. We would seriously like to do him harm. No, that’s not enough! We would like to capture and try him for treason, and then I’d like to chop off his head after I scramble his brain or worse.

“At the same time, I’m under pressure to return to the Empire to assist my great-grandfather who is ill. I understand that he wishes me to undertake the management of the Duchy on his behalf.

“The Empress used her personal battleship, which she took back from the Patriarch, to fetch me. I agreed to bring you on board and captured the priests directing the enterprise in which you are involved. For this task, I delayed my own return to the Empire in order to give you the opportunity to be involved in the next stages of strategic decisions. You and I are both involved with the Empire but are not yet of the Empire.

“As I understand your position, you are aware that the priests have used the genetic material of some of the greatest generals and admirals and their assistants to create a formidable army and fleet. You were able to maintain the integrity of your originals somehow. I understand you’ve some loyalty to the Empire, as do I.

“The ships of some kind of fleet are coming to fetch you in the near future. You’ve researched your own backgrounds and surprise, surprise, you are less than impressed with the priests and their motives. Many of you have established an ambivalent loyalty to the Empire. It’s ambivalent because you’ve positive feelings towards the Empire, but you are aware that the Empire will be concerned about you being clones. You are all uncertain about your future. Your intention was to capture the fleet, but you are unsure about what you want to do next. None of you like the idea that your lifespan will be so short.

“The problem that’s common to both groups, is the continued existence of a toxic group of dangerous priests led by Papa Zora; who have involved themselves in extortion, human trafficking, and in a major effort to poison the men of the Empire and make them infertile and frail. We are not happy with him attacking us, and you are not happy to be his thralls and minions and follow his wishes.

“We know that Papa Zora is intimately involved with The Mob. The fleet that will arrive will either be from The Mob or the Empire, but it’s more likely to have been stolen from the Empire, as we have already seen more than one ship that’s from the Empire’s reserve fleet. I assume that they’re planning together some kind of attack upon the Empire.

“What we don’t have in common is that we on board the ship had an original mission that we have had to postpone, and I have significant obligations that I must fulfill.

“There’s a much bigger picture that’s behind all of this and it’s for that reason that we wish to consider the issues together with you, and look at how we can move forward and decide if we should go our own ways, or work together,” said Jason carefully.

“You confirmed my status as a Royal, which means that I hope I can assist in the repair of your genes. I don’t know how that’s done.

“The Empire could consider me a criminal for assisting clones, or they could consider me a hero for removing Papa Zora while forming an alliance with the clones.

“I do have a few ideas which I wish to present for your consideration and strategic input and advice. I propose that we work together on at least one clear scenario that gives you a future place in the Empire. I’ve spoken to the legal group, and I do believe that at least part of your future can be protected. I want to adopt the entire clone group as my family, and for you to join me in whatever enterprise I’m involved in, in the future. I offer that without any conditions attached.

“I further undertake that regardless of any other agreement or non-agreement I’ll do my best to repair your genes to give all of you, normal lives. Again, I do this unconditionally.

“Now let’s begin our discussions. Does anyone have anything that they would like to say?” Jason asked as everyone sat looking at him intently.

“Well, Lord Kargo, those are truly dandy offers. They’re the first offers that I’ve heard in my short life that have any appeal to me,” said Linda. “The offers don’t even have strings attached which appeals to me even more. Andrea, what you think? Would being the adopted daughter of a Duke be a chore?”

“Jason,” Andrea said, “first of all I’d like to thank you for your very generous offers. As your future daughter, I do greatly appreciate it, and I expect that my allowance will reflect my future importance to the family. I’m a very expensive woman to run and then there are lots of things that I want. A yacht could be a good thing to start off with. Daddy, I really need a yacht,” said Andrea sounding like a whiny teenager.

“I’d like to do a preliminary analysis of the situation,” continued Andrea reverting to the controlled analytical admiral.

“The Patriarch and his priests have allied themselves with The Mob. I’d agree with Jason that the most likely scenario is that of a combined attack upon the Empire. If the Patriarch has been prepared to poison the Empire it’s unlikely that he has happy and positive feelings towards it. If he’s prepared to ally himself with The Mob, he’s less likely to be attacking them. None of us know of any other potential target, but the Patriarch is a treacherous bastard, so he may do anything to his allies.

“Jason if we were to immediately satisfy your objective we could take all the information to the Empire and you could do what you need to do with your great-grandfather.

“We could also inform the Empire about what we know about the situation and ask for guidance. We all know from what we have seen of intelligence scenarios of this type that it’s likely that both The Mob and the priests have infiltrated intelligence within the Empire. I’m sure that your own intelligence came to the same conclusion before you rescued us.

“It’ll mean that the enemy will become alerted. At the very least it will allow Papa Zora to escape or concoct some kind of story to let himself off the hook. The planet that we were on does not belong to the Empire. He could simply say that he was forced to help The Mob.

“If we were to satisfy Jason’s need or if we contact intelligence, Papa Zora has a reasonable chance of getting away with what he’s done, and it’s unlikely that we’ll stop the fleet and the clones on this planet from being part of whatever heinous activity is being planned. Unfortunately, what is unfolding is very time sensitive.

“If we go one step further and take the planet and capture the fleet we’ll go a long way towards neutralizing Papa Zora and we’ll have a fleet and an Army, which will increase our bargaining powers by an order of magnitude. Surely the Empire would be grateful if we save their fleet and reduce Papa Zora’s capacity to do harm?” Andrea said. “I’ve quite a lot more to say but I’d like to hear a bit more from all of the rest of you.”

“I’m going to tell you a bit of a bizarre story to explain what I’m about to discuss with you,” said Jason. “I went into a trans-dimensional room to obtain a crystal. I met up with a fellow called Winston who is part of a people called the Una. To cut a long story short, he now lives inside me, in a trans-dimensional space called a ‘pocket.’ He’s a pretty old being who, as a consequence of an intergalactic war, escaped into the dimension where I found him. He’s again in contact with his people, now. They share their minds and their thoughts.

“When he mentors and advises me, he’s often also discussed the issues with his people, who are spread throughout this galaxy. I assure you that the existence of this person isn’t a psychotic rumination. I’ll tell you a lot more about him later, but I consider him to be my learned adviser and mentor. I can speak to Winston telepathically. If you have any questions to him, address them to me, He will answer through me, or the AI, whichever you prefer.

“He’s very wise and I emphasize again that has the counsel of his people as they’re in constant communication with each other. They are a very ancient people,” Jason said earnestly, while smiling at the group.

“Winston believes that we need to act rapidly to ensure the safety of the clones and to take the planet. There’s a distinct possibility that if we delay, the existing forces on the planet will attempt to gain control of the clones or terminate as many of the clones as they can.

“What will buy us a little time, says Winston,” Jason said on his behalf, “is the senior leadership have disappeared. The less senior officers will be cautious about making drastic decisions. We need to move quickly.”

“Any thoughts?” Jason asked.

“It was what we were intending to do,” said Andrea. “We are happy to go the next step with you. I’m sure Linda agrees. Working with you increases our chances, and reduces deaths of our people,” Andrea said slowly while looking at Linda who nodded.

“This is what we were born to do, and we are going to prove our worth to my lord daddy,” said Linda facetiously.

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