The Ahmardian Corporation: Alpha Centauri

By Norman Aisen

Sparked by the invasion of Earth, regular citizens take up arms against a technically superior foe

In the year 2075, Earths Central Government provokes an assault on the home world led by The Alliance, a group of disgruntled second-generation earthlings who left the planet years ago only to return now with a sense of vengeance. Due to Earths close proximity to the only known slipstream hub, many factions within the Alliance vow to take over the planet and seize all of its assets. Alexander Popuff, a prominent member of The Alliance, will stop at nothing to infiltrate and destroy Earths Central Government, gaining a crucial piece of galactic real-estate.

Its up to Earths last line of defense, The Ahmardian Corporation to protect humanity from the threat of annihilation, which becomes imminent when The Alliance commandeers a powerful intergalactic starship known as The Alpha Centauri. Captain Adam of The Ahmardian Corporation knows that it is only a matter of time before Popuff figures out how to utilize the ships destructive weaponry, which could ice a planet in seconds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 30, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467080316

Norman Aisen

Norman Aisen has a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and has worked in the aerospace industry for 5 years. Most of the science fiction within his books are closely related to the type of systems he designs as a Mechanical Engineer. Norman likes to use science fiction as a catalyst to spark the audience imagination, allowing the reader to become immersed in the possibilities afforded by science. Norman lives a relatively quite life north of Los Angeles.

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THE AHMARDIAN

CORPORATION

Alpha

Centauri

NORMAN AISEN

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2008, 2012 Norman Aisen. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/26/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4259-6877-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-8031-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008904596

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

~Dedication~

~Acknowledgements~

Prologue

Book I

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Book II

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Book III

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Book IV

Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Book V

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Book VI

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Book VII

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Book VIII

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

~About The Author~

~Glossary~

Emblem.psd

Suit up space fans, the Corporation awaits you…

~DEDICATION~

For star gazers near and far whose enthusiasm fuels the perpetual quest for discovery through exploration. And for those of us with unbounded imagination who know that reality is only a thought away.

~ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS~

Big thanks to my copy editor and proofreader, Marianne Cotter and Kelly Thacher who were a center piece to this project.

My next thanks go out to my artist, Thomas Zenteno who always managed to turn my not so well thought out ideas into visual masterpieces.

PROLOGUE

Intergalactic Expressways

The invention of the Tritium Slipstream Drive has given humans the ability to travel to distant stars and galaxies far beyond Earth. The year is 2075 and many of Earth’s inhabitants have left the planet due to their feelings of disgust and disenfranchisement regarding Earth’s intergalactic policy, which regulates trade routes throughout the Milky Way galaxy. Earth’s central government is able to regulate and tax slipstream hub trade routes due to Earth’s close proximity to the only known slipstream hub in Universal Sector One, which is composed of two major galaxies: the Milky Way galaxy and parts of the Andromeda galaxy. The upper regions of Andromeda comprise Universal Sector Two.

Slipstream conduits and the slipstream hub are the main transport routes used to travel within and between both Sectors. The hub and conduits are ingeniously stabilized wormholes that link portions of space together. Using these manmade wormholes takes light years off one’s journey. The hub was built by the Coronans from the Alpha Centauri system, many of who were lost in the initial hyper velocity test trials. Alpha Centauri’s closeness to Earth was a convenience to representatives from the United States in the Sol 003 central government. These individuals eventually took over the bulk of the work done by the Coronans, granting themselves unrestricted access and control over the slipstream hub network. Slipstream conduits are also located throughout both Universal Sectors but are less efficient and have slower emersion rates than the hub. Many star systems rely on slipstream conduits and the hub to transport and trade goods with their galactic neighbors. Some nations on Earth have become infuriated with Earth’s central government representatives of the United States and their cavalier attitude towards taxing and dominating the slipstream trade routes in the Milky Way galaxy. These citizens decided to leave Earth, fleeing to neighboring star systems such as Alpha Centauri, and Al-Deraun. Some individuals have even ventured to Andromeda, which contains three major star systems, the Haloghn system, the Darian system, and the Shringhalli Cluster. These systems, inhabited by hospitable natives, accept their galactic neighbors as friends. Distant sovereign nations show compassion and sympathy for the wayward refugees from Earth. In doing so, these nations compromise their political and economic relationships with Earth’s central governnment.

Self-imposed exiled individuals thwart the deterioration of amicability between Sol 003 and other star systems by slandering Earth’s central governments slipstream policy. This gives rise to the formation of radical factions comprised of citizens from various star systems who rally for a change in power on planet Earth. One star system in particular with such radicals is the Shringhalli Cluster. On Shringhalli Prime thirty percent of the inhabitants are disgruntled citizens of Earth who left the planet after they felt the United States government gained a stronghold over the planet and hence the Sol 003 star system. Shringhalli’s royal Prefect, Reikio Tchenzaki, willingly accepts many travelers from other star systems with open arms. Another planet that has taken in outraged citizens of Earth is Tal-Devora, located in the Al-Deraun system. The same could be said about the planet Numeria in the Haloghn system; their feelings about Earth’s central government however, are less pronounced than that of Shringhalli.

Although some inhabitants of planet Earth are fleeing, there are many alien races who find the planet a very prosperous and exciting place to reside. Aliens are incentivized by the central government to live amongst and share social practices with Earthlings. Natives usually benefit the most financially from Alien commerce. Nevertheless, there is still resistance to the imprint of alien customs now prevalent throughout the planet. Earth has become somewhat of a vast intergalactic marketplace for some, and a troublesome tyrant-like overlord for others.

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BOOK I

~PORTRAIT OF A RUINED NATION

CHAPTER ONE

0530 UTC (Universal Time Clock), October 4th 2075

Earth, Sol 003 System

Bah’Lon Space University, Tenendor Province, United States

The E-Tram buckled and screeched as it jostled over the uneven tracks. Adham scratched his nose intensely as the piercing smell of mildewed steam and over-chewed bubble gum filled his nostrils. The lack of ventilation made the atmosphere inside E-Tram an unpleasant olfactory experience.

No matter how many times he had done it before, Adham never looked forward to the ride back home after classes. Bah’Lon Space University was one of the premier schools in the Tenendor Province (comprised of many east coast states); however, Adham just found the classes to be arduous and mundane.

Adham arrived home and routinely searched his empty refrigerator for food, as if someone might have generously brought groceries for him while he was in class. Unable to find any microwavable fast food he defaulted to watching the tele-monitor, and tuned into to the Galactic news station.

A group of radical citizens from Numeria, former earthlings, have come back and involved themselves in the political machinations of several nations here on Earth, said the news anchorwoman in a judgmental voice.

They have proposed an alliance between several countries, including Germany, Russia, and Great Britain. If the proposal is accepted by the current governments of these nations, the residents of these countries would have an intergalactic triple citizenship between themselves and the planets in the Andromeda sector. This would also permit an open border relationship between these countries as well as an open trade protocol with star systems in the Andromeda galaxy, such as Numeria and Shringhalli. With the Numerians giving citizens of only these countries unrestricted access to specific slipstream conduits, citizens of the United States could feel left out. This could inevitably force the United States to capitulate and rewrite its policy governing intergalactic trade, which currently requires other star systems to pay transport tax for using the slipstream hub. It’s unconfirmed whether or not the official Numerian government endorses the proposal of these individuals…

Adham turned the tele-monitor off dispassionately, as if he didn’t care about a word the anchorwoman had said.

"Politics are more confusing than quantum physics," mumbled Adham to himself as he tossed the remote on his cocktail table.

Later on that night he decided to return a three-day-old message his dad had left on his mobile phone. He hoped that his dad would be sleeping at 0100 UTC as he pushed the COM (Commutation) button on his tele-monitor, and that he could just leave a return message for him. To Adham’s chagrin, his dad appeared on the monitor after the first ring. Knowing how notorious his dad was for beating around the bush before getting to the matter at hand, Adham decided he would be the moderator of the conversation this time.

Dad, I have been thinking of dropping out of the academy, said Adham with a vow of certainty in his voice. He instantly felt a sense of guilt for not greeting his dad cordially before laying on the heavy news.

Why, son! replied his dad in disapproval. As a tenured professor of Quantum Mechanics at the Space University, Dr. Awadh wanted to keep his son in the same school, in hopes that someday he could have the privilege of teaching him.

Adham sensed the bewilderment in his father’s voice, and knew that he was one thought away from giving him a long diatribe on why students shouldn’t drop out of school. So he launched into a proactive explanation.

I don’t feel like I’m learning anything new, remarked Adham candidly. Additionally, there are so many other star systems out there to see; why should I waste so much time in this one?

His father started to respond, and then paused for a moment. Adham could see his dad squinting through his small symmetrical square shaped glasses like he always did when he was thinking hard.

You have a point, and if you really feel you must do that… do it, but don’t look back; you shouldn’t have any regrets in this life. Professor Awadh pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger.

Adham’s eyes grew wide with shock that his dad wasn’t overly opposed to his idea of dropping out. This response, coupled with the fact that his dad was up so late at night, was highly uncharacteristic of the professor. Adham knew that there must be something more troubling on his father’s mind, but before he could overcome his shock to ask, his dad fired off another question.

Now tell me son, did you hear that special report on the news today?

About the Numerians, or the Second Generation Earthlings… or whatever you want to call them, forming an alliance with nations on Earth excluding the United States? said Adham

I see you’re actually starting to pay attention to the news these days, replied Awadh proudly.

Yeah, I’ve been watching occasionally, said Adham nonchalantly.

This is what I feared, son. These people are upset with the US government and there is no telling how deep their animosity goes. Awadh spook with a hint of tragedy in his voice.

It sounded to me like they want to show the US that it’s more profitable to open the country’s borders and drop the slipstream hub taxes.

Awadh readjusted his glasses yet again. Son, I have a feeling that the purpose of an alliance would not be to demonstrate the profitability of their proposal; I think they are planning an invasion.

What…, replied Adham perturbed by his dad’s statement. He knew that the Professor was prone to hyperbole, but he had never known him to make outlandish statements to this degree.

Dad, a proposed alliance is a long way from declaring war, continued Adham.

In an attempt to explain his caustic statement Awadh responded with a rhetorical question, Why else would they feel the need to unite three very separate continents on a single planet? Because they want to seize control of the central slipstream hub, he remarked answering his own question.

Dad, the hub is in outer space, responded Adham with a don’t you know that look on his face.

But who controls the relay stations? replied the Professor.

Earth…

And at the moment who controls Earth’s central government?—The United States.

Adham walked over to his desk and began gathering up his textbooks into a neat stack. Talking on the phone with his dad always proved to be an exasperating event that left little time for nightly chores or homework.

Dad, you know how much of a headache politics gives me, and I have to get up early for class tomorrow, so… Adham placed his textbooks into his book bag.

Very well, son, get some sleep. Midterms are tomorrow, so you’ll need it, remarked Awadh with a pretentious smirk on his face.

I’m just glad that I’m not in your class, or I might have dropped out already, replied Adham as he reached for the END COM button.

They both laughed at his remark and promptly ended the transmission.

0845 UTC, October 5th 2075

Earth, Sol 003 System

Bah’Lon Space University, Tenendor Province, USA

Adham sprinted to his class like a madman, dodging and weaving through unsuspecting students on the lawn. He wiped the sweat off his eyebrow in an attempt to appear calm and poised before entering the classroom. Being late to class was deplorable enough, but looking as if you were rushing and still wound up late was an automatic deduction of cool points.

He entered the classroom and saw a comment projected in large print on the overhead:

Guest Speaker: Advanced Synaptic Robot-Human Interface

The guest speaker appeared to be a young man in his early twenties. Adham noticed a robotic arm set up on the front table and a group of synaptic servo relays attached to the back of the young man’s head. The setup looked similar to the one he had seen in an online documentary the night before. Unfortunately the documentary was quite lengthy, which was the root cause of his tardiness. As he sat down in the back row of the jam packed lecture hall, he laughed to himself at the irony. He noticed that when the guest closed his eyes and thought about moving the arm, his brain’s signals were displayed on a monitor and then transferred to the robotic arm’s servo motors, causing the arm to actuate.

Adham suddenly became interested, but soon realized that he had arrived at the end of the demonstration.

Ok let’s give Ensign Fherro a round of applause, as well as all our brave men in the US Navy, remarked Professor Dracerium, applauding as his NOST (Naval Office of Space Technology) wrist band bounced around on his arm. He strongly supported NOST, and always invited them to bring recruitment applications to class. He never got the memo delineating the separation of personal endorsements from official university business.

Adham glanced at the military officer and gave him a dispassionate smile as he prepared to walk out of the lecture hall.

Mr. Awadh, shouted Professor Dracerium, signaling for him to come down to the display table. On the way down Adham saw one of his pals, who rewarded him with a high five for making it to the seemingly boring lecture late.

Sir, this is the third time that you are late this semester. You know after three tardies, I am required to drop you from the class, stated professor Dracerium in a compassionate but serious tone. Adham sighed and glanced over at Ens. Fherro, who was still putting away his equipment. Slightly embarrassed that the serviceman might have heard the overly emotional discourse from his professor.

Adham stepped closer to the professor. Sir, I tried my best, he offered unconvincingly.

The professor ignored Adham’s autonomic overused excuse.

This is your second time taking this class over, just because you couldn’t get here on time. You have always had the highest grades, Adham… you could probably teach this class by now.

In Adham’s mind, that statement solidified his reasons for wanting to drop out of the University altogether.

Just show a little concern for your future. A person as smart as you are is destined to do great things. You are going to have to put more effort into waking up in the morning.

But, sir, sleeping is a direct result of productivity.

That bit of sophistry is not highly persuasive, Adham. Plus with grades like this, I really doubt your destiny includes sleeping at all. Dracerium pulled out Adham’s graded midterm with a 100% marked in red at the top.

You know I actually used this as the key to grade the other tests; no other student even came close to passing. He placed the over complicated Quantum Mechanics I test on the table for Adham to see Ens. Fherro glanced over to see the perfect score as he continued packing up his gear.

He thought back to when Professor Dracerium was teaching at the Naval Academy and how almost half of the students withdrew from his Quantum Mechanics class. The test that he used to give was borderline impossible; even the smarter Coronan and Numerian students dreaded exam day. Now how is it that this guy, a novice college student not exactly privy to the latest NOST technological study guides, manages to pull off a perfect score? thought Fherro, mystified.

The lecture hall door creaked open as young, eager, rimless eyeglass wearing students flooded into the classroom. With a sense of urgency, Fherro attempted to fit all of his displays into a small pack, and in his haste, decided not to dismantle the bulky robotic armature. It began to slip out of the small connex container.

Professor Dracerium noticed that the Ensign was in need of an extra hand. Adham, do you mind helping Ensign Fherro out? ask Dracerium.

I don’t know, sleepers have a habit dropping very important things when they are needed the most, remarked Fherro jokingly.

Adham raised his hand to his eyebrow and saluted. I may be a sleeper, but I’m here to serve my country, sir, he said in a condescending tone.

Fherro was use to students mocking the armed services, and knew it would only be a waste of energy to reply to such antics.

They both grabbed one end of the connex container and headed towards Fherro’s transport vessel.

Upon reaching the Navy standard issue Class 2 Shuttle, Fherro remotely activated and opened the cargo doors.

Thanks… said Fherro as he placed his gear inside the small transport vessel’s hull.

No problem, Adham nodded and began to walk off.

I know what you’re looking for, said Fherro catching Adham in mid-stride.

Excuse me? responded Adham, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

Fherro stepped away from the cargo hatch, and turned to meet Adham’s awkward gaze. I used to be just like you, going to school, not getting any gratification.

Is that so, said Adham with a hint of volatile sarcasm. Let me guess—then you got smart, dropped out, and joined the military. Adham’s explosive choice of words cruised past the Navy hardened officer.

Wrong; they recruited me to the advance systems department, where I’ve helped to develop new technologies like the one you almost missed this morning.

Adham paused for a second, thinking about how he wished he could be doing cool demonstrations, instead of sitting through dull lectures every day. Interesting, I must admit, he remarked referring to the robotic arm. He walked closer to Fherro’s transport and saw a blueprint to what appeared to be a humanoid robot.

What is that?

I’ll tell you all about it, responded Fherro fueling Adham’s curiosity. However, we would save time if I could tell you en route to my next seminar.

He opened the passenger door and motioned with his hand for Adham to take the seat.

As they flew over the large campus Adham stared out of the window, having never taken the time in the past to admire the asymmetrical Bonsai trees strategically placed around the property.

You have a good thing going for you here, said Fherro watching as Adham took in the beauty of the campus.

And you want to know why is it that I don’t fit in around here, responded Adham.

Nope, I already know why that is…

Adham turned to Fherro awaiting his answer.

…because you don’t want to.

So you think you got me all figured out.

Fherro pulled out a non-classified labeled folder and placed it on Adham’s armrest. Upon opening it, Adham saw diagrams of prototyped robotic exoskeleton units.

At the moment the Navy is developing these units which will allow a pilot to interface with robot’s central processing core. So when the pilot moves, the robot will follow. Fherro watched Adham’s eyes grow wide and animated as he perused the folder’s contents.

This is what you should be doing with your smarts, explained Fherro in a low voice.

How far is the project from having a working prototype? asked Adham.

Far…and it’s on the verge of being cancelled due to the lack of technological resources.

Adham looked at him quizzically wondering how the Navy of all organizations could be technologically limited.

More specifically, the biggest problem we are facing is power distribution. The robot requires a substantial power source, packaged small enough that it can be housed in a unit no bigger than the average book bag. Needless to say, no one has been able to develop something so compact, stated Fherro.

He knew this line of dialogue would arouse Adham’s curiosity, and naturally persuade him to seek out more info on the challenging problem.

Fherro down-shifted the throttle on his craft. Got to go give another lecture; thanks for helping me with my load. He brought the ship down to hovering altitude and Adham jumped the short distance to the ground.

Thanks for the info, said Adham.

Why don’t you hold on to this, replied Fherro as he handed Adham the non-classified folder.

You’re putting a lot of trust in me Ensign.

Nope, this is just food for your curiosity, implied Fherro.

Although he claimed it was just food for thought, Fherro knew that Adham would see this as a challenge. By nature, the young college student would fully commit himself and attempt to solve the problem.

1405 UTC, December 10th 2076

Earth, Sol 003 System

Space University, Tenendor Province, USA

Adham welcomed the challenge and began working out the power distribution problem surreptitiously during classes and at lunch. He made it a habit to contact Fherro every weekend to collaborate on the problem. After one whole year of working with Fherro, and while still attending classes, Adham made the long-awaited technological breakthrough. He discovered how to stabilize a nano-tritium reactor that converted hydrogen isotopes into energy. He named it the Pro-generator Core, augmenting it to several capacitors in series allowed the core to power a prototype exoskeleton robotic unit.

Fherro lusted in the pursuit of technology, and adapted thermocouples to increase the energy transfer rate of the Core. He understood his duties as an US Navy officer, but his insatiable appetite for technological advancement was amplified anytime he was around Adham. He was using all of his leave and every spare moment of off-duty time to help Adham out, but he was more than ready to dive in full time, should the opportunity present itself.

Inevitably Adham dropped out of the Space University and a short time later started a grassroots company, WaveForm Robotics, employing Fherro as the Chief Technologist.

I hope that your employment with WaveForm is not a conflict of interest with your status as a commissioned officer in the Navy, stated Adham as he handed Fherro a blueprint.

Leave that to me; let’s just make sure this third unit holds up.

Fherro hid it well, but he was more worried about his commission than he let on. Working in the wee hours of the morning after his officer shift was done was becoming difficult. During the day he often found himself working on WaveForm business issues instead of completing his shift activities as an officer. He even skipped out on giving a college lecture the week before to help Adham test the core.

Fherro scrutinized the variegated blueprint. In the title block he read aloud the designation:SILACE.

Adham walked over to the Illumine board, activated it and revealed the acronym: SILACE: Stealth-Integrated-Lightweight-Aerial-Combat-Exoskeleton. The robot resembled a twenty-foot tall human exoskeleton, which allowed the operator to sit securely inside of its torso. This gave the pilot the ability to control the robot’s movements through a synaptic interface that outputted logistics and tactical data through a HUD (heads-up display). Adham designed the machine to come equipped with Class 2 Berneai ACEs (Atmospheric Clearance Engines), which would provide the SILACE with enough propulsion to contend with the most advanced flying craft.

Fherro and Adham soon began mass producing SILACEs for the IPA (Independent Pilot Association), which agreed to work with WaveForm to test and optimize the robots aerial performance. The advanced weapons systems onboard each robot began to earn the machine a name in battle simulations. The standard SILACE came equipped with a plasma based beam sword, shoulder mounted particle beam cannon and a forearm mounted M61 20mm Vulcan gun, which were deemed deadly armaments provided the pilot had the skills to master their use. For increased battle stance, each SILACE had an AI integrated cockpit system that used a synaptic interlinked magnetic encephalograph, enabling the robot to accurately interpret the pilot’s brainwaves, enhancing overall response-reaction time. During combat simulation many IPA test pilots reported that the mere thought of getting into a dogfight enabled the robot to seamlessly respond, giving them a slight advantage over their opponents.

CHAPTER TWO

1100 UTC, June 13th 2078

Earth, Sol 003 System

WaveForm Robotics Office Park, Tenendor Province, USA

Several US military divisions developed an interest in WaveForm Robotics SILACE technology and proposed that the company merge with the United States DOD (Department of Defense), as a constituent of NOST. NOST wasted no time in their efforts to obtain WaveForm, and promptly scheduled a video conference meeting with Adham and Fherro to persuade the possible merger.

NOST Chairman of the Board, Admiral Delano, gazed across the cherry wood table into a large flat-screen monitor, looking at possibly the two smartest young men in the US. He knew that he had to pull off his best sell of NOST to placate them.

Good day, gentlemen, said the Admiral in a deep booming voice that garnered homage. Fherro quickly rocketed out of his seat to salute.

At ease, Ensign… I’ll get right down to business. We’d like to annex your robotics research establishment into the US Naval Office of Space Technology. He figured spelling out the acronym would show the youngsters, in grandiose fashion, how important his offer was.

NOST consists of a group of individuals who work on advanced concepts for space combat, continued Delano. Additionally, you would both start off as Navy commissioned officers with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade engineering class. You would be stationed here on Earth’s Second Province and work with other US Navy officers to develop defense systems for NOST. The Admiral spoke in the most pleasant and wholesome tone he could muster.

Adham cleared his throat to respond to the overly optimistic Admiral.

Sir, I appreciate the offer, but if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather for us to be our own contingent, rather than align ourselves with military counterparts within a specific country, said Adham. He paused and watched as the Admiral’s thick-skinned face wrinkled up like aged leather.

You see sir, the work we do is for all humanity’s benefit… not for just one country, continued Adham.

Not to mention that we would have no patents or assets of our own; everything we did would belong to the United States Military, Fherro interjected.

Admiral Delano squinted his eyes at Fherro, trying to instill fear into the young officer. Right now, Ensign, everything you’ve done belongs to the US government anyway, snapped the Admiral, his voice contemptuous. He knew that officers were allowed to work in the private industry to develop technology, with the underlying hope that whatever was built would be used in the Navy.

That’s right, everything that I’ve done, but not the things that Adham has done. His power node which runs our robotic components is patented under the WaveForm Corporation. His own resources were used to develop it. Fherro knew that it would be next to impossible for the admiral to prove what, if any intellectual input he had in the design of the power node.

The Admiral reared back in his seat clasping his hand one over the other. Well, frankly, Ensign, we do own you, and unless you are prepared to resign your commission I am ordering you to join NOST, to develop our own power source, said Delano, his statement dripped with condemnation.

Fherro abruptly pushed the mute button on the monitor. He turned to Adham, rudely putting the Admiral on hold.

Something’s not right here; I’ve known Admiral Delano for a long time and have never seen him in such a haste as to order a subordinate to do something without giving them time to consider it first. Fherro was beyond perplexed, and it showed on his face.

Adham shrugged his shoulders, at a loss for words.

Fherro un-muted the tele-monitor to respond, Sir, I would like to take the time to contemplate my decision and confer with my colleague.

The Admiral let out a deep breath allowing Fherro to see his disapproval with this course of action. OK, Ensign… How much time do you need, son?

Fherro, surprised at the Admiral’s empathetic response to his demand, replied, Sir, I will let you know my decision by 2100 UTC.

Be prompt, replied the Admiral as he closed the communication without waiting for the standard salute from Fherro.

Look I don’t want you to resign your commission on account of my unwillingness to join NOST, said Adham.

It’s not that… I feel like there’s more to what the Admiral was saying. Why does he need us to join NOST in such an expedient fashion? Fherro stared into the blank tele-monitor.

It’s as if he knows that there is going to be a need for our resources soon, in a military fashion.

In other words, the United States may be on the brink of an armed conflict with another nation, remarked Adham.

After knowing him for so long, Fherro had never heard Adham make an unwarranted and matter-of-fact comment about such bellicose matters, which was an indication that he really meant what he