Change in Management

H.C. Andrei

2004
 - Corridor sure. Team two forward!
Five figures dressed in battle armor with assault rifles and
grenade launcher, under the barrel, were moving rapidly along the
corridor cut into the rock and reinforce with carbon bars.
They entered a large room full of sophisticated research
equipment, but, to their amazement, no human defender. As soon as
they set foot in the room, heard a short peep and automatic weapons
were filling the walls firing poisonous gas while others were firing
deadly missiles and explosives projectiles.
But Planetary Combat Force soldiers were all veterans toughed in
dozens of battles. Within minutes all the automatic weapons were
located and taken out of service with efficiency. They were the best!
They were FCP.
In the control center of the air fortress Adrin Stenval was
standing in front of panels, monitors, tracking devices and
controlled the data processed by the soldiers sent on mission. The
enormous military airship was hovering near the mountain fortress
where, according to the upper echelons of command, took refuge the
enemy. The number one on the entire planetary list of enemies.
It all started in late 2009.
For two years nothing happened in the world. Nothing major. The
war against terrorism was finally over in mid 2007 when the head
terrorist was killed in an action in the mountains of Pakistan.
Even if his death turned him into a martyr, two unsuccessful
attempts of bombing on his behalf had declined the appetite of the
terrorists.
Also, the Americans entered and destroyed the last bastions
harboring terrorists, or they bought alliances of other nations.
Those who continued to oppose the U.S. had no real power and economic
and military terms as 2007 and 2008 were two years of peace. Of
course there were local conflicts or disasters, but they were easily
controlled.
But at the end of 2009 all that changed.
The first signal was the used of new stealth technologies by drug
lords, technologies that allow aircraft to pass unseen just below
the sensors net. And they brought with them new types of drugs.
Degradation in human society has reached a new peak. At the same time
many smaller countries have begun to use more powerful engines and
unknown electronic technologies.
The United States riposte was swift, they tried to enter with
special troops in the countries that oppose them and broker the new
technologies. But awoke to the strong opposition from countries that
did not like American dominance, particularly China and Russia.
 Soon a wave of amazement passed through the world as Russia
appeared to have a policy closer to the United States of America then
to China. Then the Russians pushed a lot of cheap energy and
materials, better and stronger than those present before to the world
market. Not long after, so did China.
Economic markets changed suddenly, knowing sensational up and
downs in a very short time, China and Russia jumping on top of world
economic powers.
The next three years have seen the restoration of the Cold War,
especially after American spies were caught trying to steal
technology secrets of others nations. Failing in that endeavor took
out their own products out of the vaults. Technologies closed years
ago, not considered necessary at that time in the fight for global
domination.
Terrorist organizations have also resurfaced using advanced
technologies, very advanced tech: radiation bombs, complete
undetectable explosives, attack missiles, shoulder surface-to-air
with ranges of 100 km. Factions that emerged as forces to be reckoned
within the new world order.
The start of the new Cold War had been given.
Next fifteen years were years of terror to human civilization.
Superpowers trying to divide the world again.
But this time was much harder because almost every state had
access to technologies that could trigger a nuclear holocaust.
Technology advanced rapidly, pushing the human race, with or
without her consent, in a new era. In fifteen years bases were
installed on the moon, deep in the oceans, even the distant planet
Mars has been colonized by a small expedition. Small space stations
with few people on board, which revolved around the Earth were
replaced by habitats - real space cities. Russia and the EU - albeit
truncated with a loss of a few countries - became an economic
alliance.
Technological developments continue at an amazing rate, especially
because most of the new superpower pumped enormous amounts of money
in secret research.
Only now it was a Cold War played for bigger stakes, the entire
Solar System. In fifteen years a series of very interesting
information and analysis of data, from scientists and some foreign
terrorist organizations came to the attention of the world leaders.
All indicated a common source for the technological innovations sold
to the Russians, Chinese and terrorists from the first decade of the
millennium.
Money and data were followed as best they could. Information was
still available trough the Net even if years passed. Analysis
revealed the possibility that a single organization was behind all
the movements. It took almost three years for the intelligence
agencies to discover who was behind the technology.
Also during this time, a new alliance was form some of the smaller
countries resented the superpowers, but in the end the Planetary
Combat Force was form. It received the mission to discover this new
unknown enemy, which operate on all levels: political, economic,
technological and financial. And using all possible means to
destabilize the planet: drugs, violence, terrorism. Acting on the
entire surface of the globe. The enemy did not want to be discovered
and used every trick imaginable to confuse the agents.
This fight was proving destructive for all, because the enemy used
violent terrorist acts to preserve his hidden identity. It was very
difficult to catch someone who does not even have any idea how it
looks or who he is. A ray of hope on the headquarters location of the
invisible enemy, began to shine when, a month ago, after the
destruction of many of its bases in South America and Africa, they
discovered a shipment of nuclear warheads in Russia near a large
mountain.
Planetary Combat Force sent its two air fortresses in the area.
These bases were the best flying and most advanced military
technologies of humanity, taking the place of the old aircraft
carriers. Equipped with the most advanced location devices, radars,
human or robot - served weapons, anti-radiation shields and troops,
guarded by dozens of flying frigates they could withstand any threat,
even a direct nuclear attack.
Once arrived at their destination they located a large underground
military base. There, a stormy battle against ground defenses ensued.
Tens of square kilometers destroyed, not an inch left untouched. One
flying fortresses was shot down while FCP orbital weapons used
against the "alien" lost control and orbital guns turned against
Planetary Combat Force troops.
But mechanized infantry and commando regiments pushed the
terrorists inside the mountain, chasing them where even orbital
weapons could not reach. Infantry remained the only way to penetrate
the mountain and catch the "enemy."
Adrin introspective ended when the captain sent order for him to
descend to the ground. General Troya specifically asked for him.
Puzzled, he took an armored shuttle from one bay full with troops
preparing to descend. His orders put him in a swift transport. The
small transport craft was thrown around a bit but soon Adrin was
deposited at the entrance of a tunnel dug directly into the rock.
A team of F.C.P infantrymen were expecting him prepared to be his
escort. They were still in a war zone and did not know what surprises
the owners were planning to mount or spring on the F.C.P.. Having
passed through a residential complex, research stations and huge
hangars, Adrin was convinced that they indeed discovered the enemy
command center. But so far no one had been taken prisoner. After
initial struggles it seemed the human defenders evaporated, the
infantry fought almost entirely against war-machines.
The team stopped in front of a wall of solid titanium. General
Troya, dressed in battle uniform, helmet in hand and sweating
impatiently was waiting for him there with another team of commandos.
Even in F.P.C. they represented the elite, special forces.
The General pointed to the wall. There, embedded in rock, was a
control panel displaying his name above a retinal checkpoint.
 - Analyst Adrin, apparently someone is waiting for you. Can you
explain this?
- General I don’t understand. I have never been here before, and I
know nothing about this place.
General Troya patted him on the shoulder:
- I know that. During the service you have been kept under
observation. But you should try the scanner. Let's see what
happens. Someone put it there with a purpose.
Adrin put his eye in the sensor scanning beam which compared the
pattern of his eye with those recorded in its memory. There was a
short peep as if a confirmation, but otherwise nothing happens.
- Perhaps it was a joke; he gave his opinion after a few minutes
Adrin seeing that nothing happened
Then it hit, an otherwise sound could be heard near the limit of
human perception and it seems that over it, because a sharp pain and
nausea grab them all. Soldiers writhe on the ground without their
sophisticated equipment able to provide protection. Then flashed a
different tone among them as an incandescent light washed.
They all lost consciousness.
A small door in the titanium wall opened without sound. A little
old man, a 60-year-old, in a black suit and white hair cut short,
came through it. He shook his head at the unconscious and proud
commando and approach Adrin. He took a small device from his pocket
and stick to it's temple. The young men return to consciences
immediately.
- Who are you? Adrin asked him again when he saw clearly.
The stranger pulled a gun on him.
- Move, I do not have much time!
- And if I don’t want?
- You can move or you can die.
Adrin move, his feet only half listening. The stranger walk before
him, the door closing after the two of them passed. Deep down Adrin
hoped his captor will make a mistake giving him a chance to get rid
of him. In vain the strange old men made absolutely no mistake,
however small.
- What happened with the commandos? asked Adrin
- I used a wave of special ultrasounds that affects the body only
at a physiological level. Then, with a focused electro-magnetic
pulse. Satisfied?
- Not at all. What do you want from me?
- Actually, only one thing. But I don’t think that is the place
for explanations. Your colleagues will wake up in a few minutes and I
want to be away from this place, as you will if you are smart.
The stranger pushed him forward along the corridor until they came
to another tunnel where one mag train was suspended on rails waiting.
A capsule door opened and the two entered. Young Adrin was impressed
by the luxurious interior of the capsule. The cabin was lined with
sofas, the walls padded with comfortable leather. In one corner there
was even a little bar and down, a soft carpet muffle any noise. The
trip did not last more than five minutes, but given the speed with
which a maglev moved, Adrin could not venture to estimate how much
they had traveled inside the mountain.
Just like starting, stopping was smooth and almost without
noticeable discomfort. The two descend into an antechamber with
several secretarial offices. On the opposite wall he saw a beautiful
wooden door carved with mystical motifs. Adrin’s first impulse was to
laugh. Why the hell bother barring the way with a wooden door that
could be broken so easily?
The stranger ran his hand over a sensor and the door open. When he
passed the door and saw how thick it was Adrin realized that the
outside was beautiful inlaid oak and inside was metal, probably
titanium. You'd need a plasma cutter to pass it.
Intelligent.
They entered a huge room. A command center with dozens of
displays, working displays, and consoles, working stations of all
sizes. Most images were showing images from around the mountain, the
assaulting Planetary Combat Force troops, other pictures showed Earth
from space, and other, images of military targets attacked by unknown
mercenary troops.
In the midst of the huge room reign a holographic display showing
Earth, illuminating the world with a lot of symbols, each with its
meaning, the stuff that Adrin recognized, as were those representing
battleships or completely unknown, to the thumbnail orbital weapons.
- I'm impressed; he recognized; but that does not change anything.
Planetary Combat Force will brake soon the walls and then they will
see to you.
- Yes, soon F.C.P. will deal with the mountain. It will not be as
easy as you think. There are plenty of defense systems buried in
rock, the voice whose you have not heard yet. But the end is
inevitable. But before I would like to have a little talk. Sit down;
he showed him the only chair at a round table.
- I'm really curious to hear what you and I have to talk! But why
are you alone down here? Where is your army!
- My staff you mean. They have all left the mountain. No point in
fighting a losing battle. I have other priorities. Now sit down.
- Ok, I’m listening; muttered a reluctant Adrin.
- Many years ago I watched the pace of development of human
civilization fall. You see, conflicts have always inspired progress.
As they say, "necessity is the mother of invention." In times of
trouble the human mind has always excelled in finding new solutions.
Unfortunately, just because people feel safe does not mean that the
dangers don’t exist anymore. I would like you to see what we
discovered in 2003 in the Russian taiga.
Adrina look better at the huge view screen indicated. He could see
a mountain and some remnants of something unidentified on a
ridgeline. Magnification factor was increasing on the remains
allowing to see details better. For someone like Adrin who was an
analyst the conclusions jumped to the eye.
 They were not human, no human hand could not produce at such a
large scale such a fine structure, full of what looked like the
nerves on a whale skin.
- It's an alien ship.
- Exactly.
- And where is the problem? For several years we knew we are not
alone in the universe. No longer a novelty compadre.
- It was, in my time. Because of my operations, S.E.T.I. received
more funds. Actually I founded them myself. But did you know that our
friends in the government knew of the existence of aliens for some
time. Even found a vessel. Long ago, I worked for them and had access
to a wealth of information. Reports saying that E.T. are neutral
outsiders. It seems that some memory cells found in the wrecks could
be read. Unfortunately it seems that there are several races out
there, across the galaxy.
- Are you saying that they had evidence from more than one race?
The analyst become attentive.
- From a second race. But only one vessel.
- One second. The ship that you showed me, the one you have found
it was different.
- Yes, vessels coming from two different races. I managed to
recover databases intact; touching the controls images on the screen
began to come and; Look!
Comparative structures of the two vessels began to swirl on the
screen, so they could be seen from all angles.
- Could be the same civilization but different designs; said the
analyst
But not even Adrin did not even believe it. Most Earth vessels
were generally the same, even if they were from different classes and
belonged to different nations. But who knows how might think a
foreign race? Maybe each class of ships was seen totally differently
to them.
- I do not think young friend. I checked the files from the first
ship and found that objects differ from what I have found myself.
- You were able to get the agency's files dealing with research in
this area? respect for the stranger grew, it was very difficult,
almost impossible to get into the secret files of the Agency.
- I'm pretty resourceful, believe me. And we have skilled
employees.
- So we have two alien races in space. It does not seem so
frightening news that you need to harass the human race for so long.
- You do not listen youngling. Look closely.
A lot of scenes appeared on all the panels of the room. Weapons,
trophies, signs and strange symbols on half and on the other half
lines, light and well-defined lines.
- Some of them are from the agency vessel and other from the ship
I found myself. Tell me, see any differences?
- Obviously; Adrin shifted in his chair; You found is warlike
race.
 - Not so stupid as you look; taunted the old men; Yes, they are
warriors. In fact not only warriors but also cold-blooded killers.
I've decoded some files aboard. Believe me you don’t want to know
what I found there.
- Then we have a problem. And yet a very serious matter.
- Exactly young. It seems that the ship I found is just an
exploration vessel. Somewhere out there in space there are others
like it, but much stronger and larger. An entire fleet.
- Why not go to the authorities with your findings?
- Who said that I did not go. I was mocked. They said I suffer
delusions. They already knew about the others and believed not to be
dangerous. They took my notes and some of the samples, when the
powers that be saw that I do not want to shut up tried to kill me.
They said that the world is not ready for such technology and the
news. But they used technology in secret, without telling anyone.
They were and still are the authorities. Powers hiding in shadows.
- It’s hard to believe you; Adrin shook his head.
- I understand. But there is still a serious problem. The
materials I put on the market are copies of those found on the failed
alien ship. The same sources of energy. Even your air fortress armor
has been slightly improved from the same materials. Technologically
speaking, we only managed a small shift in their direction. That's
why this campaign is needed. For mankind to progress as quickly as
possible. If not, when the our "friends" come to our area of space we
have no chance. Our absolute priority, must be the survival of all
humankind. While we are all in one solar system and the threat of a
more advanced race is hovering over us we can not afford to relax.
Not even a second. If you accept my proposal you will learn more.
- What proposal are you talking about?
- It's very simple. I want to take over the cause.
- What? cried Adrin; You're crazy!
- Actually I think you'll accept the offer. I know that you are
one of the best analysts and have been instrumental in my finding.
You may not be a born leader but you will have some excellent
friends. The work should be continued. I said that progress must
continue if we are to survive as a species. You will not be alone,
our network extends across the globe. You'll be surprised how many
want to help.
- I bet many of them do not know who you are.
- True, not everybody knows everything we do, but we all know what
is the cause. I offer you a unique opportunity. Think carefully, you
will choose the form in which will continue "hostilities". If you do
not want destruction, there will be no destruction. But I can say
from personal experience that people are not so easily mobilized. You
have to remember what is at stake, the survival of humanity is
priority number one. An entire race is more important than any
individual or individuals. Sometimes one must suffer for a race to
survive.
The images on the displays continued to come. His rich imagination
he had no problems to "see" what would happen if aliens had come.
Adrin seemed to think for several minutes. The decision was not easy
but it seemed the best.
- I accept. But I will decide the organization's actions.
The stranger smiled, as if he would have taken a stone from the
heart.
- Of course. And thank you.
- What I do not understand is why you need me. You are not so old
that you need a replacement.
- My time is running out, actually it ends right now. If they
think I am dead F.C.P. will settle down and the second part of the
plan will be in operation. Do not fret, I had everything I could
have in life. Now I must retire and you have to get out of here
before your friends come to us. There is enough time to also give
you details but there are others that will explain the situation
better.
Before he can comment on something, Adrin found straps appeared
tying him to the seat and an iris opened at this feet. The seat
glides through it and enters a magnetic tube. His cry of surprise and
anger got swallowed by the capsule sonic boom.
A few minutes that seemed endless, and the capsule snapped
suddenly stopped in a small berth. Straps were automatically released
the next moment.
- So we got the goods!
A fat man sat comfortable in a chair in front of a board of
controls similar to the FCP shuttle.
- It would be better to keep quiet, it will be hard enough to
disappear without being discovered even with all the clutter that is
out there.
Without saying another word, fat men spin in his seat and focused
his full attention on the control panel.
The shuttle ejected from a launch deck hidden in the rocky slopes
surrounding the mountain. A field of active jamming hid it from the
flying fortress sensors.
Just a lonely hunter had the good fortune to be in visual range
when it go out and do a visual reference. Without reporting, rushed
after her. Failing to get a missile lock he fired his cannons. Dozens
of high-speed projectiles filled the air between the two aircraft.
- Damn; swore the fat men staggering under the impact.
But he who constructed the vessel was smart. The shuttle thick
armor and a rear automatic gun slide out from a pod and answered the
hunter.
- Na, take it; said the men after scattering a few projectiles
- Hey partner, how about you help me a bit. Look, these are the
controls for the rear gun.
It's controls were a little unfamiliar but Adrin found them easy
to use. The attacking fighter made the mistake of trying to launch a
missile with visual lock and took a few seconds remaining on the same
trajectory. Enough to cash in four rounds. Explosive rounds ripped
the fighter into splinters. The shuttle speed easily away.
- What now? Will the old men be able to escape; muttered Adrin
 - A chapter in the fight ended. Another must be opened. If you're
here, you must be the new commander. And do not worry about Old Men.
He take care of himself; his voice trembled slightly when he spoke;
Now commander, let me show you your next command center.
Turbo-boosters activated and the shuttle began to lift. Heading
for the moon.