Fog of War : An Asian Alternate-History Science Fiction Saga: First Contact, #3

By Azlan Tahir

The story from the alternate future continues ….

 

Clandestine events on Earth unfold in the not-too-distant past. Dissatisfaction with The System had resulted in a group of disgruntled specialists successfully executing a well-planned exodus to resettle off-world, joining and furthering the cause of a hidden and more technologically advanced community of "independents" only referred to as the "Traders" by those very, very few in the know.

 

Back in the moment, picking up from where Book Two, "Journey's End" left off - The War erupts on a System-wide scale, with massive Fighting Vessels from both sides joining in Battle. Taking an early hit, the UNE scrambles to recover to prevent further crushing defeat. An early MAC win has galvanized the faction's confidence for a crushing victory over the UNE… but will over-confidence creep in? 

 

Meanwhile, the Malayan Rangers are engulfed in a large Ground Action on Hygeia, being far larger than they had anticipated. The success of their mission to rescue the package and deliver it safely is no longer guaranteed, with the Hygeia Action becoming another key focal point in the newly ignited War.

While the Tigris continues to "fly blind" as a result of its prior encounter, tensions among the crew begin to surface, as key members become intrinsically linked from exposure to the Sentinel. 

 

The unveiling of the on-going mystery of the Sentinel proceeds on Lunar, with different players from within the UNE arriving to play their part. Past grudges and with former colleagues may need to be cast aside to progress forward, as it is evident - that whatever the outcome, it will have a significant impact on the other seemingly disparate stories currently unfolding.

 

War between civilizations rage on.
New allies are discovered, and partnerships are forged. 
Other players appear from the shadows.
The Sentinel is more out of reach than anyone had anticipated. 
The future of Humanity remains unclear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Azlan Tahir
• Release date: Oct 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201417161

Book preview

UNITY MACROVERSE

First Contact Series: BOOK 3

Fog of war

An Asian Alternate-History Science Fiction Saga

Azlan Tahir

Copyright © 2021 by AZLAN TAHIR

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by: Andaman Consortium Sdn. Bhd.

52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Acknowledgments

We are a community of Malaysian Story tellers and Marooned forms the beginning of the First Contact Saga. The First Contact Saga is a part of the UNITY Macroverse story which takes the reader into an alternate universe story canvas.

Thanks to all the overwhelming support from members of the community that had faith in all our forays into making the UNITY Stories come to life.

Thank you to my community partner Adely Ariffin who himself wrote and contributed greatly to the Story line.

The main core of our community: Akmal Izzat, Dave Liew, Nur Ruhizan, Saifol Shamlan, Paul Low, Anderson Ee, Adam John, and many-many others.

My family, who has given me enormous support, encouragement, and patience: Casie and Adam.

My sister Linda and brothers Auzir and Imran.

Finally my buddies from the Samad Old Boys group.

Special Mention to this Special group of people who gave inspiration for this Saga and the canvas :

Nadyne, Daniel, Amanda, Sophie, Ivy, Adli from the Autism Café Project, Sara from The Learning Connection Center, and Peggy from Bridging Hope.

Foreword: Fog of War

Fog of War forms the third book in the First Contact Series. It begins after the beginning of the conflict between the UNE and MAC.

Other books in the ‘FIRST CONTACT’ saga:

MAROONED: Book 1

JOURNEY’S END: Book 2

If you want to know more you can visit us at: https://unitymacroverse.com/

Follow us on :

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https://www.instagram.com/unitymacroverse/

Youtube  :

Unity Macroverse

Table of Contents

Recent Past - The Jump

1: Tigris Presses On

2: Withdrawal

3: Hygeia Action

4: Lunar Labs

5: Hygeia Assault

6: Canton Line

7: Public Reckoning

8: UNE Acts

9: Rangers

10: Sentinel Focus

11: Breaking News

12: Tigris is alone

13: Traders

14: Epilogue

Endnotes

Recent Past - The Jump

Breakfast

Old Colombo Club

Colombo-Galle Boulevard

Colombo, Ceylon

The facility looked like most other clean, functionally designed structures of most UNE agencies. The bustling cityscape where it is located looked equally functional and pristine. The equatorial climate had not weathered the structure which lines the huge boulevard. The massive buildings were glistening in the bright and blazing sun in Colombo. It belies the lively and colorful culture of this land at the bottom of the Indian sub-continent.

Colombo had been the preferred assignment station for UNE personnel looking for a much more pleasant environment, it was logical, as Ceylon was an Island surrounded by the sea and several world-renowned beaches in its resume.

The buzz of transport drones, alighting from the multiple hyperloop stations around the Colombo-Galle Main Boulevard, made for a retinue of activity typical for Colombo’s main district. It was a hive of movement, well planned and coordinated.

Nestled in between the large imposing UNE buildings lies a Nineteenth-Century Club House built during the period of colonization by the European powers.  Shaded by tall neighbors, the Old Colombo Club was the go-to place for breakfast and brunch for senior UNE personnel and community players to escape from the oppressive heat. Their ‘rotti’[1] specialty was still handmade as cultural preservation is the club’s main attraction. Enjoying the meal at the clubhouse becomes a social highlight for those who matter.

Waiter, can I have another cup of tea please.

Right away Sir! The white-uniformed waiter with a clean hand towel draped over his left arm bows slowly and disappears into the clubhouse. The patio is shaded and surrounded by leafy palm fronds and low West African Tall coconut trees. The old and large Flame-of-the-Forest tree becomes the centerpiece of this well-manicured colonial garden. The patio was environmentally cool. It was maintained without any technological infusion and was filled with diners sitting in rattan chairs and surrounded by low rattan coffee tables. The guests were enjoying the cool atmosphere of the Clubhouse. The low murmur of conversations, broken by light jovial laughter by those present could be mistaken as decadent by the stiff upper lip of the UNE hierarchy.

Excellent Ceylonese Tea, I cannot get enough.

Yes, it is Azrin, refreshing and light. Good starter for our ‘discussion’ today? Aizat Adnan the negotiator and well-known supplier for all things UNE and more, has been patiently waiting for the opportunity to present his wares, to Azrin Zainal the Senior Logistics Coordinator for Off-World Operations (a mouthful but most everybody refers to him as The Quartermaster). Azrin was in no rush, being seen in public with somebody like Aizat is threading on governance quicksand. Azrin was particularly careful about being seen in public with UNE sanctioned suppliers, more so with someone like Aizat.

Ah, the discussion. Well, it's not often we get to enjoy this cool breeze from the ocean and the shady patio of the Club. Enjoy it Aizat, getting you in here has not been easy.

Yes, of course. I am sure you had a terrible time getting me in. Do not be mistaken, I am honored.

Your Tea Sir.

Why thank you, excellent service I must say. Don’t you think so Aizat? Please help yourself to refreshments and food.

Thank you, I am fine, Aizat answered testily. Azrin, noticed the change in Aizat’s character and slowly moves towards Aizat’s left ear and whispered,

If you don’t behave, I shall leave you here and call it a day, all of it. If you want me to take you seriously, be patient. Aizat was shocked at the ‘suggestion’ coming from Azrin. He did his best to not burst out and shout profanities to Azrin, who had been stringing him along for more than a month to agree for a meeting.

Yes, my apologies Azrin. I shall behave.

Oh, don’t bother. I have to leave as I have another important matter to attend to shortly. I will be in touch. Aizat was in shock. Flabbergasted and seeping with rage.

What just happened? he angrily thought to himself.

Yes. I’m on my way. Azrin was careful to not be seen communicating with Albie through his concealed mouthpiece. The extremely tiny mouthpiece communicator was a marvel in technology as its size and the ability for concealment was second to none. It is highly prized by those who thrive by avoiding unnecessary interest from onlookers.

No drones, I will walk. Thank you. Azrin walks briskly out from the Clubhouse Garden, brushing past the waiter who had served him and into the main thoroughfare where the pulse of coordinated movement was carrying on with its inane regularity. Azrin walks for about five minutes along the shaded walkway and without attracting too much attention disappears behind a row of plasteel fencing. To the untrained eye, Azrin probably took a shortcut to his destination, but it was a drop a finely tuned intelligence exchange of information. As quickly as he disappeared, he was back on the walkway continuing his journey back to his office. Cool and collected, Azrin was a ‘pro’ but not many are aware of his ability. He continues without even breaking his momentum, he knows he has the information nugget safely kept until he reaches his safe zone to decipher the message.

UNE-Terendak-Shenzen (UTS) Longjiang Shipyard

UNE Saigon Space Elevator 6 Platform

Geostationary Earth Orbit.

The view of Earth from the platform was majestic and breathtaking. The curvature of the Earth could be seen from the main Elevator disembarkation platform, which was disgorging numerous commuters to their work destinations at the Shipyard close by. This platform was purpose-built for servicing personnel and goods for the Longjiang Shipyard. The human traffic shuffling through the platform was too focused on arriving for work rather than enjoying the magnificent view. Except for today, a lone figure was standing and facing the main viewing platform with the entire vista of Earth before him. He stands alone with both hands clasped behind his back like a serviceman standing at ease before Inspection. His breathing was quiet and long-drawn. He comes here every day and yet the view of Earth was still a sight to behold. The crisp lines of his work tunic and the Earth blue insignia of the UNE above his left breast pocket with gold on a red dash on his ‘Nehru-type’ collar signifies command or Senior UNE personnel.

Sir? He turns his head around to the location of the controlled interruption. He finds it distasteful his ‘before work’ routine is violated. This is especially true if it involves a very young and very junior subaltern.

Sir...I apologize for the interruption, but the team is ready for you, the nervous tone of her voice was difficult to control. This was her first week at work and also her first encounter with ‘The’ Programme Director of the Garuda Class UNE vessels, Albert Chan. Albie as he is known amongst his peers slowly turns his head away from her and continues his gaze towards Earth.

Yes, I am aware. Leave me. The young lady scrambles away and murmurs multiple thank you’s as she heads back to the Shipyard, stumbling over her foot as she attempts to navigate away from the Director. Albie cracks a smile as he watches the young subaltern tripping over herself from the view screen reflection.

Let them wait... he continues his ritual and shifts his gaze to the project. The large vessel tethered within the drydock of the shipyard was abuzz with drones and work crews tending to her. The size and the design were revolutionary and mimicked nature's equivalent in the guise of an avian. Albie was proud of ‘his’ design even though he had an extremely hard time trying to marry UNE cultural ‘correctness’. Functional requirements are paramount in the design philosophy of the UNE, aesthetic considerations were never necessary.  Similarly, freedom of expression was usually frowned upon as the collective good overcomes all. UNE machinery makes innovation a painful process.

His pride and joy, the new Garuda[2] Class vessel is designed with the ability for long-range Scientific and Exploration duties whilst being adequately armed and defended. Its modular configuration allows for painless upgrades for all systems when necessary. It was meant to be the pathfinding vessel in preparation for faster-than-light travel, the precursor to interstellar exploration.

Albie sighs and turns his head to the direction of the project meeting room, where the Heads of Department were eagerly waiting for him to Chair the monthly progress updates meant to serve as a report to the fleet. Albie has seen it all, the scramble for influence, the oneupmanship in the name of power and influence in the Corps. He had reached a point where he questioned his continued participation in something he doesn’t agree with. It was never like this; he was full of hope and vigor when he first joined the service but then he began questioning why certain things were never brought and discussed in the Corp’s decision-making structure. It began with the continued ‘Exodus’ and the setting up of numerous homesteads, the uncoordinated chaos of it all was somewhat appealing to Albie. Many of his friends and family members uprooted and moved. Mars, the Belt, and other Homesteads were the favored destination. There was a huge talent outflow during the period. The ones who were left behind had to double their efforts and plod on regardless.

It started as an innocent exchange of ideas, a sounding board for new ways of doing things. These communities were kept covert to avoid unwanted attention. As the membership grew, they began to create formalized structures and charters, all the while ensuring strict confidentiality of their existence. To fund their activity, they began commercial enterprises to offer products and services to UNE and its many other agencies. Before long they were directly competing with the Terendak-Shenzhen behemoth on all of the UNE procurement activities, albeit through multiple entities.

Albie smiled as he remembers getting much-needed schematics of the latest frigate designs for the ‘collective’, the unofficial name of the community. He was informed the schematics were needed to design something smaller and would be utilized by the burgeoning settlements throughout the system. He was initially aghast at the thought of being caught for treason, but he rationalized it as a critical requirement for the defense of these Homesteads as the UNE had begun to reduce its patrols and defensive duties at these far-flung locations.

He was thrust into the murky world of espionage, drops, handlers, information handling, and all the other paraphernalia which makes it dangerous. Eventually, Albie became adept at ‘drops’ and even began creating virtually non-traceable locations, away from prying eyes.

The main corridor linking the landing platform to the Shipyard complex looked like a suspended tube with external lattices holding strong transparent clear panes. Walking through the corridor would sometimes feel as though one is floating in space with the Earth below their feet. The Engineering put into designing this is a feat in itself. By this period all that was probable was already a physical reality. It became as commonplace as a food dispenser. Albie was never one to take anything for granted. He continued to marvel at the achievement of the human spirit as he begins his walk through the corridor.

Azrin should have received the item by now, he thinks to himself.

Director, the Team is already in the meeting room. I will have your usual refreshments sent to the room. Albie nods and continues his walk to the people mover which was to the left of the main Shipyard Reception area.

Another long day ahead, he muses.

Supper

Teh Tarik Corner

Alexanderplatz, Berlin

The cool and humid summer night in the middle of the plaza was a respite from the blazing daytime summer sun. The location of the Teh Tarik[3] Corner refreshment stands provided relief to the public with outdoor seating much like the Beer Gardens in Bavaria.  Servers were busy moving in between the tables taking and delivering the orders. There is ‘talk’ the local administrator of Berlin will be implementing food dispenser kiosks throughout the Plazas in Berlin. Matter reconstruction printing is now publicly available. Not many are pleased with this latest UNE plan. The age-old arguments of ‘nonpreservation’ of our cultural and historical past are being eroded by the headlong advance into a ‘utopian wonderland ‘.

Food dispensers for my Teh Tarik, not likely. Waiter, can I have another Teh? The waiter nods and walks briskly to the serving window to place and collect the latest order.

Where is he? He’s late his thoughts repeated every three minutes or at every replenishment of his Teh.

The crowd at the Plaza began to thin as the night wore on. The ‘Teh’ drinker still waits. This appointment is important, not for him but for the community he represents. His impatience begins to skirt around his level of tolerance. He begins giving himself, deadlines to which he will not adhere. These are stress management techniques he studied at East Lansing all those years ago. He needs to elevate his tolerance levels as a lot is at stake tonight.

Sir, I’m afraid we are closing now.

Yes, yes, alright but could you leave the chair here, or do you need to put them away?

I am afraid we need to clear the plaza as there will be some celebration early in the day and they need the space, I am sorry Sir.

Well then, thank you again, and good night. He pulls himself up from the low outdoor chair, looks at the time

Midnight..four wasted hours, he mumbled and began his walk to the Alexanderplatz Hyperloop Bahnhof.

As he walked past the now-closed Kaufhof Galeria Department Store building he could sense things were different. He felt something was wrong and quickened his pace. His heart rate was increasing, the humidity coupled with the anxiety he was feeling was elevating his awareness. He could now see the entrance to the Bahnhof with the usual retinue of drones and late-night stragglers, his sigh of relief was palpable, he felt he was close to safety. Another couple of meters and the security nets will pick him up on their local scanners.

Halt! He froze.

Please turn around and be still. Identification scan commencing. His heart began again; he breathed a sigh of relief.

Security drones he murmured.

Please stay still. Scan complete. Thank you and have a pleasant journey.

He was drained, especially after spending a whole day in Berlin gearing up for the rendezvous which was a complete waste of time. Dejection and failure always seem to take a heavy toll on a person’s well-being.

No matter, will wait for the next drop. He pulls up his handheld tablet and looks for the Hyperloop schedule to find his transport home. Home is Jerusalem.

There you go, sixty minutes to ETD[4], let’s see platform Seventeen West. Okay, there’s time for a quick snack before the trip home, should arrive in an hour.

Cabin Sixty, Car Twenty Eight. Here it is. he reaches his cabin which is pressurized and cocooned in an anti-acceleration bubble. The pressurized cabin door opens as his Ident proximity scanner allows him in. The cabin was quite spacious and meant for a complement of four passengers. Today it seems, he has the cabin all to himself which is a relief.

He settles into his lush seat, turns on his Vid Stream to catch up on the news, and slips into a deep slumber.

I hope you are refreshed?

Who.... It was his contact who didn’t show up.

How? He smiled and held out his hand to introduce himself,

I am Phillip, you must be Kohl? My apologies for making you wait. Being seen in a public space doesn’t work for me.

UNE Fleet Logistics and Procurement Centre

Colombo, Ceylon

Azrin was back at his workspace preparing for the next procurement exercise. This will be done automatically based on defined parameters. It was to ensure a level-playing field for all accredited suppliers to the UNE. Being in charge of Off-world requirements meant the actual acquisition would occur where the need was, usually through the various attached Logistics and Supply Units that are part of the network. This network of Logistics & Supply Units is directly under the command of Azrin. All movement of goods and stocks are monitored, managed, and supplied by the Offworld Operations with Azrin as the Senior Logistics Coordinator. Nothing is procured without the explicit knowledge of Azrin, The Quartermaster.

The current major procurement on Azrin’s calendar involves the Garuda Class Tactical Science Vessel. All of the project’s supplies are handled by his unit. Requirements are handed to him by the project office for execution in supply. Needless to say, Azrin wields a powerful influence within the UNE Supply and Logistics ecosystem.

Lately, however, his normal routine of intel drops, and breakfast discussions are not as private as before.  He has had