Assimilation: The Forever War, #2

By Alan P. Ellis

The future can never escape from the past no more than situations can remain the same. Such too can be said of each and every person, but you and I are not always who we seem to be, even to ourselves let alone to a stranger. In some the secrets are even deeper, so deep that even they are unaware of their place or of the course that fate has laid out before them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: starshipwriter
• Release date: Mar 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201468613

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Forever War – Book Two | Assimilation | By Alan P. Ellis

Chapter 12 - Fire and Ice

Chapter 13 - Fugitive

Chapter 14 - A Walk in Space

Chapter 15 - Rout

Chapter 16 - Calypso

Chapter 17 - H20

Chapter 18 - A New Beginning.

Sign up for Alan P. Ellis's Mailing List

Also By Alan P. Ellis

The Forever War – Book Two

Assimilation

By Alan P. Ellis

Dictionaries define war in dispassionate terms: as a conflict between tribes or nations. It’s possible that war can be local, regional or global. While the reasons are always political they are generally territorial, and can be as trivial as over the face of a woman called Helen. Nations use war as both a warning to the populace or as a call to patriotism

Yet none of the above evokes the real face of war; the face of the people caught up in the conflict. At the very least ordinary people are hurt economically. Their daily lives and livelihoods are disrupted or ruined. Homes, businesses and farms are destroyed. Families become separated and displaced. It is a tiny step from there to death and annihilation.

Victory in war brings euphoria or despair. The aftermath of an unresolved conflict brings prosperity and melancholy

Gentlemen! His word was commanding, but delivered in a voice that quickly lost its authoritative tone. The seven other people in the room ceased their chatter, put their hors d'oeuvre on the crisp white linen and looked at Ellis.

Gentlemen... He repeated. Thank you for coming... I felt it was appropriate for this more... intimate, meeting to mark what by any measure is a momentous occasion for both our cultures. I have thought long and hard for words befitting such an occasion, but the truth is that none can convey the enormity of what we, and our peoples have just experienced.

There were mumbles of agreement and one tentative Hear... hear...

All our peoples have achieved the impossible. Two cultures, but one race, and now with the one future. he smiled broadly. We have a saying that what the maker has brought to pass shall no man split asunder.... Councilor? Ellis‘ s eyes honed in on a man with a smile on his face.

Excuse me director... He said oblivious to the applied intimidation. But your words remind me of a passage in our marriage rites.

Ellis relaxed. Then they are fitting words for we are now partnered for the rest of time.

The three Alliance men smiled but the four federation faces were not quite so enthralled with the thought. Together we are omnipotent.

No one thought it fitting to mention neither side in the recent conflict had left the battlefield as victor. Still one of the councilors spoke. It maybe that you are premature director?

Ellis stared at the man. The name Klenig came to his mind. You doubt we have the will, or stomach to face an enemy?

On the contrary, I’m sure WE.... Have the capacity, but the Company is not totally impotent.

Ellis pushed back his displeasure. I did not mean to imply that either of us are impotent, and neither did I mean to suggest that there will not be... problems, but together we have a larger force, more arcs; essential ones at that, and once we return to warp drive capability, and return to our own planetary systems, we can look forward to a more cooperative future than we have known?

Yes. The man agreed. And that very point, warp drive concerns many of our military minds.

Ellis nodded. Warp capability is mandatory for our battle fleets, anything less leaves them vulnerable. That some claim once we have it we will leave the arcs to their own defense, borders on sedition.

Klenig hesitated, his mind searching for words that would not label him one of the some. It is plain logic that you would not return to your own times having achieved nothing.

Exactly, we are here, and here we stay....

Especial after the loss of a capital ship...

Another alliance councilor interrupted. I think director that the problem is that we have meandered through space for so long that achieving the goal we set out for is in some ways a frightening prospect.

Ellis’s voice took on an appeasing tone Understandable and if you can assume the reverse it is a fear shared by many on our fleet, and that is the reason why the arcs will be fitted with light drive.

As will be those within the Corporation and company arcs.

Rest assured that we would have capability before them.

Klenig wasn’t assured. From what our agents have conveyed to us your confidence may be unfounded director?

Ellis smiled. My confidence is based on events that have yet to happen.

Chapter 12 - Fire and Ice

As both sides had retreated from battle: to consolidate and recover, it had become all too obvious that the hostilities from their future would now plague their past. For those around Alexi, the once mistrusted alliance had shown their true allegiance; and had now become the enemy: while the Corporation was readily accepted as protector. Alexi knew it was his cynical mind, but as he saw it they were protected in the autocratic way a closed-minded parent protects a child. Above all it disturbed him how quickly the disarrayed grand council had acquiesced. Still democracy had never been the Corporations strong point, so why should it be the companies.

If it had just been at a political level it may not have concerned him so much, but a new attitude had pervaded the arcs. People who days before had been workmates and friends were now suspicious of those who had sympathies not seen as loyal; and anyone who spoke against the diversion was viewed with distrust, not least of these was Alexi.

He had been unfazed as the tacticians and generals who had welcomed his help and intervention in the battle, now reverted to their old view that he was an enemy of note. It was not said to his face, but having him in amongst their midst was a thorn in the sides of many.

Not that he really cared what was spoken or thought about him, not now that his life seemed at last to be coming together. A lot of which was due to being the father of Paul’s grandchild. Thalia’s arrival had both placed him in a protected position, and created a powder keg.

In itself it was of little concern to Alexi, he was becoming well used to being an outcast, but it hit painfully home, when they returned to Wonderland from the Alan Mather, and Paul took him aside

Alexi, he began. I have had a meeting with director Halliday. He’s from your time; you know of him?

No. Corporation hierarchy was quite complicated: as a lowly soldier I never took the time to fully familiarize myself with it.

No, of course. I just thought you may have; anyway he is well informed about you.

Do I take that as a compliment? he said dubiously.

I’m afraid you shouldn’t. He is... shall we say, a little antagonistic towards you.

Alexi shrugged. It’s only to be expected. Our worlds are at war.

Exactly, as now it appears are ours. Paul shrugged. This is not the future we would have wished for; but maybe it is the future we deserved?

I don’t think you believe that, after all this time, after what the company has achieved and become, this is surely the worst outcome.

Maybe not quite the worst, but it is the outcome, and my... the Company has been shown to be weak, and in business the weak get taken over. He gave a resigned sigh. Ask any director and he will relish the idea of a captive market with no opposition, but you know Alexi, in business we are never at our best without competition. Absolute market dominance is the worst thing that can happen, innovation, fresh ideas, new opportunities, they all somehow don’t seem as important when you already call all the shots. Look around us, it’s a commercial fact that we have benefited throughout history, but we grew stale and complacent. Now the tide has turned against us.

Tides ebb and flow.

They do indeed, and we may yet again have a voice... He paused as if dreading what he was to say. But the fact remains that here and now we are the junior partner, and we must accept the directives of the Corporation. Alexi I don’t know how to put this into words, but animosity against you runs deep, director Halliday made that very clear.

I have no intention of creating problems for you, or the company or anyone in the arcs.

But that’s just it Alexi. Paul seemed torn as he went on. You have been given sanctuary in the arcs. What little influence the board of directors still have, has ensured that; but for you to have any semblance of authority, real or perceived, is seen as a threat to them. A catalyst for rebellion: a spy in their midst. Do you understand?

I never asked for reward, or wanted notoriety. I’m more than happy to resign my commission here and now. None of that means anything to me anymore. I’ll be happy to go back to flying passenger ferries, or even the garbage as long as it can provide for us. Alexi felt a wave of apprehension as Paul stared intently at him.

Paul’s reply was delivered almost too quickly. That’s just the point Alexi. There can be no ‘us’.

No us.... I...I don’t understand? But he almost did.

You cannot take Celia for your wife.

Anger surged in him. He tried to keep his voice calm. You told her we could partner.

I did... but now I must tell you that you cannot.

Alexi wanted to swear, to get angry, but attacking Paul would not help him get his way. I assume you have already told Celia? He said coldly.

Paul looked nervously away. No.

His reaction gave Alexi some satisfaction and he tried to drive home the advantage, it didn’t matter that he was using an unfair bargaining chip. Then maybe you should, because she and I have your granddaughter.

Paul stared at him hostilely

Immediately Alexi knew it was a step too far, he retreated slightly. If that doesn’t show you how we feel about each other, I don’t know what else to say?

I don’t doubt your love for her, or her love for you; but your liaison goes beyond two people sharing their lives. You are a person non grata. You are not welcome in the Corporations view. My daughter is the heir to the Carroll Company. They are mutually exclusive.

Alexi was desperate, he knew he was trying to out maneuver an expert negotiator, and he knew he was descending into gutter tactics, but it was all he had. What you’re saying is that I’m not good enough?

That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. Paul seemed to be getting less heated as Alexi became more. Look Alexi I can understand your anger....

Can You? He snapped back.

You may not accept it, but yes, I can; but when you first met Celia you knew she had other responsibilities in her life.

Before or after David died? he said, immediately regretting the cynical outburst.

Paul said nothing, but Alexi saw the pain in his eyes.

I’m sorry, he said the anger draining away. I should not have said that.

Paul took a deep breath. No. But you have, and maybe there is some truth in what you say. Celia was always the businesswoman. David was the entrepreneur; he took risks and expected big dividends. She sees the longer term, and how it can create growth. Think what you like, but I have known for a long time that my heir was my daughter and not my son; though choosing between my children in such a way, is something that troubled me deeply as a father.

Alexi could not speak, but knew what was to come.

I represent the old ways. Celia the new, it is she who must now create the bridge between our two cultures, if the Carroll Company is to have any say in the Corporation; and to do that you cannot be at her side.

What about our daughter? Alexi said meekly.

Paul was hesitant; he looked at Alexi with almost frightened eyes. I have discussed with Rhea the possibility of us... adopting Thalia.

You can’t be serious, gasped Alexi feeling more crushed than either the Alliance or Corporation had ever been able to do to him. His mind had ceased to function, and he had barely any argument left. Celia is your daughter?

Obviously you will have unlimited access, but in the eyes of the arcs, Thalia will become Rhea’s and mine. He saw the despair in Alexi’s face, and had already heard it in his words. No one wants this Alexi. Least of all Rhea and me, but for the self-preservation of our people it has to happen. He paused for a second, and looked pleadingly at Alexi. I need your support when I talk to Celia.

Alexi wished that the Pretty Polly had gone by without noticing him. He would never have had, had; and then lost his child, and his heart would never have felt like it did now. He wanted to scream out I wish I was dead, but instead he said dejectedly I’ll tell her.

If Alexi thought his conversation with Paul was heart wrenching it was nothing to telling Celia. They cried themselves to sleep in each other’s arms, but the next morning it was Celia Carroll that left his bed.

From then on their co-habitation almost ceased. There were meetings, a great many lasting overnight, but partly because of the pretence they had to make to keep the secret; Celia began spending a far greater time at Paul’s home on Wonderland, where she was close to Thalia. So it was something of a miracle that almost a year to the date of Thalia’s birth that Celia fell pregnant a second time.

Paul took it better than they had expected, though Rhea’s eagerness to pad her clothing, probably had something to do with that.

Celia was almost seven months into her term when it became knowledge that those Alliance craft capable of Tachyon travel were to return to the systems. Fearing some political motive the Corporation made likewise preparations.

It was a view Alexi rarely had the opportunity to observe, and he watched fascinated as one by one the group ignited their main drives. Faint feathers of colour streamed out behind each vessel as it began to move away. It looked artistic, surreal, almost as if painted in a fine brush stroke

Alexi became aware his mind had been unconsciously running though a pre-light checklist. He quickly and surreptitiously glanced towards Celia to see if an inadvertent mumble had betrayed his thoughts. None had, but the realization had broken the mesmerism. His eyes adjusted to the dim illumination and the woman’s features became clearer. Any envy he had borne towards the departing commanders was swept away, and replaced with a feeling of warmth and contentment.

Celia seemed totally unaware of his stare, as she continued to gaze at the departing warships. He wondered if she was overwhelmed, or apprehensive. Was she lost in the beauty of the moment, or fearful of its consequence?

The thought troubled him more than he had imagined. It had been some time now since he had, had doubts. What he did know was that he wanted this moment to last forever, but deep down he felt as if the soldier in him had awoken. He felt a surge of fear that he could loose everything. It sent a cold hand to clutch at his heart as panic taunted him, that months on the arcs had led him to let his guard down. He was weak and vulnerable, and in reality had been since the battle that had played out between the two fleets. At the cease of hostilities neither had been vanquished, and he had too readily accepted the uneasy peace that followed. Love had silenced the hawkish voices in his mind, that asked over and over if peace was goodwill, or purely the necessity to repair and regain strength? Alexi had been reluctant to choose the second, while the company had accepted the gesture as genuine. And so it had appeared, hostilities had ceased; the peace had held.

He had still been a soldier then, and dutifully kept his doubts to himself. Though in the weeks after he had spent many hours in introspection, thinking on his lifetime of war, while those on the arcs were only just beginning to realize what their diverging from the alliance could mean. ‘Consequence’ he mused, ‘could any of them even comprehend the consequence of what had already transpired?’

Are you sad?

What, he mumbled, befuddled for a moment.

Are you sad that you are not going with them? Celia was looking intently at him.

No.

She brought her elbow back sharply, though with little force into his side. Tell me the truth, are you sure?

Okay, Yes... A little

I would have understood...

I know, but I have no desire to cruise space alone anymore.

She seemed amused at his being so frank, and in response he had an uncontrollable urge to hold her, so he tightened his grip on her delicate shoulder and pulled her closer, mindful not to cause too much pressure on the pronounced swelling that carried their second child.

And the warrior shall turn his sword into a plough. She breathed more than spoke

A what?

It is a saying. From long ago, when the soldier returns home.

Then it is not about me, for my home is at war.

This is your home now.

I want it to be, he smiled self-consciously. It’s been a long time since I made a selfish decision, a decision that was solely for my own benefit. So long that I had forgotten what I had spent half my life fighting to protect. Now I want nothing more than to spend my days in peace, with the people I love

She said nothing; just smiled back.

They stood in silence for a few minutes longer; glancing out again towards where the distant shapes of individual craft had merged, until only pin pricks of light betrayed the group.

When he looked back at Celia, her face was serious.

Never have any regrets Alexi.

I won’t. He nearly smiled at her candor.

No I mean it. She said almost urgently. You must never decide against something, just to please me...

I can’t; we want the same thing.

I hope so. I really hope so. She said softly as she looked out into the familiar vista of deep