The Revolution- Can Man Beat Machine Read online

  “Hello, I am told you are called Solon and that the Barkun look up to you with some measure of respect.”

  “Commodore Jones, I would hope all Barkun look upon each other with respect.”

  “How are your men being treated, I am sure it is not easy to return to space on a Legion ship.”

  “I would rather serve on a Legion ship, than sit on a planet like a technician, the men have no complaints, I shall not say my men, as the Legion has declared the Barkun have no rank.”

  My anger is rising, but I will not allow myself to be manipulated by this former Enforcer.

  “Solon, is this also a Greek name?”

  “Greek names come from the language of my name. Do you guess it’s meaning”

  “I do not speak the language, but I do understand that the Barkun and Sangren names do have special meaning for their owners.”

  “Almost, we do not own out names, we earn them. Solon means wisdom.”

  Admiral Johns taught me one thing above all when I served under him, and that was to always be the most prepared officer in the room. I came into this meeting knowing his name and what it meant. It’s why I chose him.

  “Solon, you are quite young for such a name, most humans take generations to gain wisdom.”

  “Which was a reason you were able to surprise the Confederation and defeat my people?”

  “Well, if you are suggesting we were lucky rather than good, I would say the facts disagree with that assumption, however, it is true we all have our areas that need adjustment; take the Barkun for example….” I pause for him to reply

  “What adjustments, do you suggest for the Barkun, Commodore?” Wise, I don’t know, but he is smart.

  “If the Legion wanted to punish the Barkun as Confederation law allows, then there would be no Barkun. While the Barkun actions are unforgivable, they are understandable when looked upon through the lens of the current Confederation.”

  “Understanding leads to Forgiveness, at least in human cultures, or so I have been told” Solon replies.

  “Maybe, it depends on how contrite the offender becomes, and if they can earn that forgiveness.”

  “Since you say current Confederation, I would assume forgiveness may be found though a different set of allegiances?”

  “No one likes a traitor, nor do they trust or forgive them. However, if someone changes their opinion after coming to understand why they were wrong and they seek to make recompense for their actions, then changing allegiances would be appropriate.” I offer Salon a glass of water, I want to pause for understanding, but we are not drinking buddies. He accepts and as he drinks I continue.

  “Salon, have you read the Republics Articles of Understanding? Do you know what we stand for?”

  “I do, as your famous warrior Sun Tzu wrote: Know your enemy and know yourself, and in one hundred conflicts you will naturally prevail.”

  “So you know why we fight, and why we can never exist in the current Confederation, where power is abused and laws are bent to serve the rulers against the needs of the people.”

  “I see your perspective; however, it is not the Barkun way to give power back. It is our way revolt in order to gain power, but it is a foreign concept to use to then use our power in order to serve the lesser species.”

  “What of your way, Solon?” I ask, taking a sip from my glass as I watch his facial expressions.

  “Generally, my way is to do what is best for me, my family, and my people.”

  “In that order?” I ask innocently.

  A rough guttural chuckle comes from the lizard’s throat, “Generally”

  Seeing, I have made as much progress as is wise for a first contact situation, I stand to signal the meeting is over.

  “Solon, I would like to continue the conversation at a later date. If you would like, I can allow you access to a data terminal, I would offer you some books that explain the wisdom of the strong protecting the weak.”

  “That would be acceptable; it seems that fighting your Legionnaires has lost its sport.”

  “Yes, we do tend to fight pretty effectively.”

  10

  Space: Transiting to McCall

  I left ten Legionnaires on the Habitat, and took 10 Stallions with us. Harras Leaders Areion came with us, as did Ambassador Kronberg. It seems Herd Leader Nessus did not want him to stay. He sent him away saying, “The weak are more likely to make the strong weak, than the strong are to make the weak strong.” The Ambassador will stay with the Legion for the time being, but our guests are not likely to talk to him after their Leader’s insult.

  Finding out where the Centaurs fit in Legion infantry tactics is a bit more complicated that I had imagined. They don’t have doctrine like Earth military; they fight more as individuals bunched into groups. If we were fighting massed barbarians as Caesar’s Legion, then they would be perfect. They also don’t wear armor, prefer swords and spears to directed energy weapons, and are resistant to change. On the positive side, they are strong, proud, and absolutely fearless in all things except space combat.

  I invited Harras Leader Areion to view some EVA assault training. When he saw the individual suited legionaries jump out of the airlock and float untethered through space toward another ship he turned pale.

  “General Davis, is this sort of activity required of all your warriors?” Areion asked.

  “Typically it is, all of my Legionnaires attend basic infantry school, this is an advanced tactic that only the Legion Special Operations teams’ master, but all Legionnaires are trained in the technique.” I reply

  Diplomatically I add, “The Centaurus warriors are not members of the Legion, so this is not something we will teach you, I show you only to share our capabilities.”

  “Yes, I see General; it is not that my people would not jump into the Great Abyss if duty called for it rather that we believe that if a Centaur dies in the Abyss, they will never be returned to the Great Grass Sea.”

  “Is it different in the habitat?” I ask

  The centaur looks toward the ground shaking his head, and then he pauses to look up at me “No Commandant Davis, a habitat is not a planet, the grass sea is not real. The Centaurs that die on a habitat cannot return to the ancestors and are doomed to spend eternity in the dark place.”

  No wonder they are so willing to fight. The Kernel of Sentience did not exile the Centaurus into a habitat in order to prevent them from returning their former strength; they did it out of spite.

  “Commander Marvin! Were you aware of this?” I say while activating my implant.

  “Yes Sir, this is common knowledge among the Kernel.” Marvin replies through my implant.

  To Areion I say, “I had no idea, this has got to be fixed.”

  “Yes general, however, it is not your place to ‘fix’ it, it is the role of the Stallion to save the Centaur Herd, we appreciate you as an ally, and for the assistance you provide, but we must fight to earn the right to return.”

  “Have you ever thought about fighting in armor?”

  We spent the next day’s discussing tactics and exploring strengths and weaknesses. The Centaurs wanted to remain in their same battle order to fight in all Centaur units. I am not against it in the short term, but my bias is toward integrating teams’ long term. I want more than an alliance; I want Centaurs in the Legion proper. I really wanted to mix teams when I saw how the four legged warriors took to crew served weapons.

  While no one in their right mind would suggest a human ride a centaur. However, being part horse did allow for them to carry large power cells harnessed to their backs. Their upper body strength and wide platform also allowed them to handle large directed energy weapons as if they were rifles.

  They did not like our armor or our first prototypes for them. We discovered they have a cultural fear of having their faces covered. Once we learned that we were able to build a set of power armor that had a transparent hood. It was the same deep black material as Legionnaire armor, had the same sleek sha
pe with rounded edges and molded musculature, but was in the centaur form. Their helmet did not have all the readouts and tactical computer inputs our suits, nor could it take as much punishment. One thing the Centaur size and higher power output did allow for was integrated gravity plates. They could fly. Let me tell you, those guys took to flying like naturals, if my naturals you mean they loved it, but they flew into each other and tried all manner of wild and impulsive stunts they did not have the skill for.

  During our downtime we built camaraderie by sharing stories and drinking. The Centaur men drank a honey wine similar to ours. Vikings, like the Vikings, they also had a deep love of bonfires and meat on the bone. Off course my Legionnaires took to this with gusto. Fire, as you can imagine, is not something we like inside of a self-contained base in space, but with some creative modifications, we were able to build a fire pit inside one of the large training rooms on McCall. We also covered the floor with dirt and planted grass. For our part in sharing our culture we introduced the Centaurus species to movies. One night while watching Apocalypse now, a centaur warrior asked if we would put rocket pods on the flanks of his armor. A chorus of whinnies and grunts proved the popularity of the idea. Who am I to stifle creativity, now I know exactly where the Centaurus Warriors fit inside the Legion battle plan? Flying horses providing close air support.

  It took several months to develop basic doctrine and a training plan. Luckily, Earth provided a few A-10 warthog drivers and a couple Marine Harrier Pilots to assist in the process. The Centaurs became skilled at flying in formation, and could hit their targets with both rockets and handheld heavy ion cannons. We built and programmed several replicators to make Stallion Armor and prepared to return to the Habit so that Areion and his stallions could begin training and equipping the Herd. We were just about ready to go when some legionnaire decided to show his personal favorite movie during the nightly drinking festival. Now, all the Centaurs, and most all of the Legion want to paint a big white stylized skull on the center of their armor. Since the Centaur’s are not officially Legion troops I chose not to stop them, after all, they were former enforcers. However, I sternly put the idea down for my troops. We are not vigilantes nor are we punishers. We are freedom fighters. If they wanted to put a round red white and blue logo, or a big white star on their chests I would approve, but I sure ain’t giving out ideas.

  Luckily that debacle came to an end when the good idea fairy struck again. One of my legionnaires was a dog handler in the SEALS before going up, and when he saw the Centaurs suits he asked if he could build one for his dog. His platoon leader gave him authorization to build a small group of dogs and handlers, as well as build some sort of space capable suit, not power armor, for the dogs as an experiment in feasibility.

  Of course, no one ran it all the way up the chain, the first I heard of that experiment was when I was invited to watch a boarding exercise. I was sitting in the command chair aboard a Barkun punishment ship watching the boarding operations on a screen. I quickly notice the operatives leaving their ship with what appeared to be black duffle bags strapped to their left sides. As much as I wanted to ask what they were, I noticed the excited looks on the faces of the platoon leader and his commanding officer. I figured I would let it ride and see what it is they want to impress me with.

  The EVA assault progresses like normal, as does the breaching operation. However, once inside the Legionaries rip open the duffle bags and I find holstered attack dogs! The dogs have a muzzle eye google type device on their face, which I assume is to give them some vacuum protections. The rest the dog is in what appears to be a black wetsuit. There are some small nodules on the back of the dog, which I am sure will be in the briefing.

  I follow the team via screens until they arrive at the bridge hatch. I order the screens off as I watch the hatch turn red as the Legionaries practice burning through it with breeching paste. As the hatch gives way it is chaos as 5 Belgian Malinois jump through the hatch and proceed to knock me on my ass. They could not bite me through the muzzle, but they hit me like a freight train. The dogs are so close to my face I can see a small seam in their muzzle. I hope that does not open up anytime soon.

  11

  Colony Fleet

  By the time the fighter returned to the colony fleet, my wife and her team had finished retrofitting the upgraded cloak and safe rooms on all the ships, they had not completely finished the sensor upgrades, but they could finish that in transit. The sensors were a high priority, but I modified the plan a little to ensure that the drop pods and areas occupied by the Barkun were modified against Kernel signals. I was not afraid of the Barkun talking to each other, but I did not want them to be able to contact the Kernel of Sentience with any news of our breakthrough.

  I continued my discussions with Solon, and we went through a combined history lesson of sorts. He talked to me of his culture and why they chose the route to becoming Confederation Enforcers, and I talked of the Great American Experiment, and how the Planetary Republic sees the role of government. I focused on how Solon saw the world and framed the benefits in his terms. I showed how freedom to innovate allowed for the kind of activities that made primitive humans engage and beat superior forces at every turn.

  The former Barkun high enforcer did not like being reminded how we beat them, but he could not deny the result. In the end I believe he saw the light, at least how the light could help him. I am not ready to allow him citizenship, as he is not a true believer. In time, though, I think he will ask to join the Legion. For now, he is spreading the gospel of the Republic to his fellow Barkun, which is noticed by my legionaries as well as the Barkun Kernels.

  12

  McCall

  The dog program proved a hit, we had way more volunteers than we could handle and the Lieutenant and his dog handler started a training company to build dog handlers and trained dogs. We shipped in more Malinois from Earth, as well as trainers.

  We also sent the Centaurus Warriors back to their habitat so they could begin training. To assist them I sent an assault ship and a bus, along with an escort of 5 Destroyers. I want the Pegasus squad to have a lot of practice shooting, moving, and communicating with and around my Legionaries.

  The Centaur Stallions had not been gone ten days when we received a Pearl Harbor style crippling attack to all Republic Planets and Legionnaire outposts.

  Marvin was the first to notify me, “General, I am receiving unusual feedback on the Kernel carrier signal. It is trying to attach itself to your implant. I am receiving feelings about the creator and the legion. I can’t give any more detail because this is unlike anything I have every experienced. It is powerful, and I am going to enter a repair mode as I believe it is a new Kernel attack. Please General, take precautions, I believe the Kernel is trying to use the implants and the Legion Kernels as a weapon. I must shut down now!”

  In 15 years I have never known of Marvin being able to shut down, WTF!

  I run to the nearest 1MC station and broadcast throughout McCall

  “Attention, this is Commandant Davis; we are under attack by unidentified. All non-implanted personnel suit up and report to your assigned staging areas. All Kernels and implanted staff are to report to your quarters. All Kernels shall enter repair mode. There is evidence that the Kernel of Sentience is trying to weaponize the implants and gain control of our Kernels and implanted Legionnaires. Do not harm any Kernels or implanted legions unless fired upon by them. This is not a drill, authorization code FUBAR BOHICA. This is not a drill. Davis Out!”

  I race to my quarters to armor up. While in my quarters I try to send messages to President Eastman and the other Planets in the Republic as well as our Bases on the moon, mars, and the Earth system space port. I receive error messages. I could not connect with the McCall system Lagrange fortress either. I was able to send a message to the Oort cloud space port and Sedna. Which, I assume means the Kernel are not aware of those locations.

  It seems we are under a coordinated high level attack. If I c
annot warn the rest of the Legion, I will have to go to war with what I have.

  Part II

  Sneak Attack

  13

  It fields strange not having Marvin in my head. He has been a constant companion and personal assistant for 15 of the 40 years I have been alive. I could really use his constant battle updates and sensor feeds. No matter, I have 7 years of Marine Corps experience where I did all right without a super computer in my head, I can do this.

  As I move toward the command post I see Legionnaires in various levels of readiness. I see a little panic, but most of that is controlled. Everything is in chaos. I too am controlling my panic, so I understand, but I can’t excuse or allow it.

  “Come with me!” I order to the enlisted troopers milling in front of the armory I am passing by. “Where is your suit?” I say pointing at a junior enlisted.

  “Sir, it is in the birthing area.” He stammers

  “Well son, why are you not beating feet to go get it?”

  “Sir, I ah, no excuse sir!”

  I see his coveralls say Matthews and their newness, combined with his rank of private seems to suggest he is just out of boot camp.

  “Private Matthews, if you have no excuse, then you should get your armor on. Besides, look at my armor, with your suit on no one can tell you are sacred shitless, I made them that way on purpose!”

  “Sir?” His face lights up as he recognizes what I said. “Yes Sir, if I may sir, I need to get to my armor!”

  “Dismissed”

  To my horror, an implanted Lieutenant JG comes around the corner and blasts private Matthews just as he turns to run. The smile on his face fades into a look of shock as he falls dead to the floor. Without thinking, I raise my right arm and fire several directed energy blasts from my forearm cannon right into the blank face of my Legionnaire officer. My first shot misses, but the second and third shots hit. The headless body of my implanted trooper falls as the troopers around me stand in shock.