are we aware of any technology which would allow vessels to travel that fast, not even our fastest craft.”
“I am lost for words, General.”
“Then let me tell you the only thing you can do. Break open your weapons, ensure every man and woman who is capable is armed and ready. We don’t know what to expect, but we do know it’s hostile and bearing on us quickly!”
“Even with your Major’s men we could not muster a thousand soldiers, surely not enough for any kind of defence. What about evacuation to Earth?”
“Negative, with the size of your population and time we have, you wouldn’t be able to get out more than ten percent of the colony. Based on our last estimates, you’ve got about six hours.”
“Christ, how could it come to this?” Kelly asked.
“Thank you, General, I’ll assemble our forces immediately.”
“Good luck, Prime Minister.”
The line switched off and Olsen looked at the others with utter shock about his face.
“Sir, we have to start now,” said Taylor.
“Yes, yes I understand. Form all troops immediately, I’ll leave the details to you men.”
“Commander, Colonel. You surely have a lot of work ahead of you, with your permission I should see to my own men and get them ready.”
“Get to it, Major,” said Kelly.
Taylor rushed out of the room, nodding to his two marines on the way out to follow him. He didn’t even break stride to say a word to them. The Major was shaking his head in dismay. It was obvious that this sort of threat existed days ago and the authorities did nothing. In that time they could have deployed several divisions to the Moon or evacuated the entire colony to the safety of Earth. He tapped his intercom.
“Taylor to Deveron, come in, over.”
“This is Deveron, over.”
“I need a direct line to General White, can you organise that for me?”
“Sir, he is already waiting to speak with you.”
“Put him through.”
The Major continued to stride through the vast Civic building as he was put through to the General.
“Major Taylor, you’re about to be hit by a shit storm, we both know that. We also know that if you are faced with any serious force you’ll never hold out.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Your orders are simple, your number one priority is Prime Minister Olsen. He knows a tremendous amount about Earth’s governments, its workings, strengths and security. He is a major asset to any enemy. You are to protect him at all costs. If possible, in situ, if that proves impossible, evacuate immediately. If there is any risk of him falling into enemy hands, you put two in the chest and one in the head. Do I make myself clear?”
“Absolutely, Sir, and the rest of the civilians?”
“You have your orders, Major. Protect the Prime Minister, bug out if need be. The most valuable assets to us are the Prime Minister’s life and the men at your command!”
The Major looked around to be certain that no one other than his marines could hear as he was horrified at what he was hearing.
“Sir, you want us to leave the civilians and UEN forces to die?”
“Taylor, get this into your head. Big shit is going down, potentially world changing. Tough times call for tough measures, you do what you have to do, more importantly, what you’re ordered to!”
“Affirmative!”
“Okay, keep me in the loop, over and out.”
Taylor reached Captain Friday and Lieutenant Suarez who had set up a command post in one of the quiet offices of the ugly and utilitarian building. He pulled back a chair and slumped into it with a sigh.
“What is it, Sir?” asked Suarez.
Taylor looked up at his officers, five of his command staff were present.
“Shut the door.”
Captain Friday did as ordered, in his usual silent and efficient manner.
“We aren’t here to safeguard the population. Our orders solely revolve around Prime Minister Olsen. His protection is our only concern. If we cannot protect him here, we are to pull out evac him to Earth
“I am lost for words, General.”
“Then let me tell you the only thing you can do. Break open your weapons, ensure every man and woman who is capable is armed and ready. We don’t know what to expect, but we do know it’s hostile and bearing on us quickly!”
“Even with your Major’s men we could not muster a thousand soldiers, surely not enough for any kind of defence. What about evacuation to Earth?”
“Negative, with the size of your population and time we have, you wouldn’t be able to get out more than ten percent of the colony. Based on our last estimates, you’ve got about six hours.”
“Christ, how could it come to this?” Kelly asked.
“Thank you, General, I’ll assemble our forces immediately.”
“Good luck, Prime Minister.”
The line switched off and Olsen looked at the others with utter shock about his face.
“Sir, we have to start now,” said Taylor.
“Yes, yes I understand. Form all troops immediately, I’ll leave the details to you men.”
“Commander, Colonel. You surely have a lot of work ahead of you, with your permission I should see to my own men and get them ready.”
“Get to it, Major,” said Kelly.
Taylor rushed out of the room, nodding to his two marines on the way out to follow him. He didn’t even break stride to say a word to them. The Major was shaking his head in dismay. It was obvious that this sort of threat existed days ago and the authorities did nothing. In that time they could have deployed several divisions to the Moon or evacuated the entire colony to the safety of Earth. He tapped his intercom.
“Taylor to Deveron, come in, over.”
“This is Deveron, over.”
“I need a direct line to General White, can you organise that for me?”
“Sir, he is already waiting to speak with you.”
“Put him through.”
The Major continued to stride through the vast Civic building as he was put through to the General.
“Major Taylor, you’re about to be hit by a shit storm, we both know that. We also know that if you are faced with any serious force you’ll never hold out.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Your orders are simple, your number one priority is Prime Minister Olsen. He knows a tremendous amount about Earth’s governments, its workings, strengths and security. He is a major asset to any enemy. You are to protect him at all costs. If possible, in situ, if that proves impossible, evacuate immediately. If there is any risk of him falling into enemy hands, you put two in the chest and one in the head. Do I make myself clear?”
“Absolutely, Sir, and the rest of the civilians?”
“You have your orders, Major. Protect the Prime Minister, bug out if need be. The most valuable assets to us are the Prime Minister’s life and the men at your command!”
The Major looked around to be certain that no one other than his marines could hear as he was horrified at what he was hearing.
“Sir, you want us to leave the civilians and UEN forces to die?”
“Taylor, get this into your head. Big shit is going down, potentially world changing. Tough times call for tough measures, you do what you have to do, more importantly, what you’re ordered to!”
“Affirmative!”
“Okay, keep me in the loop, over and out.”
Taylor reached Captain Friday and Lieutenant Suarez who had set up a command post in one of the quiet offices of the ugly and utilitarian building. He pulled back a chair and slumped into it with a sigh.
“What is it, Sir?” asked Suarez.
Taylor looked up at his officers, five of his command staff were present.
“Shut the door.”
Captain Friday did as ordered, in his usual silent and efficient manner.
“We aren’t here to safeguard the population. Our orders solely revolve around Prime Minister Olsen. His protection is our only concern. If we cannot protect him here, we are to pull out evac him to Earth
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