Nikolai Kosciusko 4: Nikolai Kosciusko, #4

By Richard R Lockwood

Earth suffers a massive attack. In the midst of the destruction, Admiral Kosciusko decides to jump further back in time, leaving his son Nikolai in charge of the local response. This action by his father is not well received, but what can Nikolai do when the world is literally coming apart around him? Full of anger and pain at the loss of so much, will he rise to the innumerable challenges? Or hunker down and lead humanity to withdraw from the galactic arena?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard R Lockwood
• Release date: Nov 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215338889

Richard R Lockwood

Was born in Miami FL. Worked for the University of Florida until I retired. Been married to the lovely Cecelia for 40 years now, proof that I'm a lucky guy. Now living on the Nature Coast in Citrus County. Enjoy all kind of wildlife, especially reptiles and insects, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place. When I'm not writing I enjoy wood carving. Both of the heads beside me in the picture are cedar from the Chassahowitzka Forrest. I also love to walk my dog Bark Anthony. Probably need to go do that now. A Chronology of the Twins Alternate Universe novels and some thoughts and rationales - https://www.ricklockwood.net/Chronology.html My Books on Books 2 Read - https://books2read.com/ap/RaZ9Br/Richard-R-Lockwood  

Book preview

Nikolai Kosciusko

Volume Four

1

Samuel Hood and the 1st Class graduated and were all assigned to the Fleet’s 1st Tactical Wing. They were given the task of placing quantum entanglement warning satellites throughout near space, defined by the Admiral as everything within a hundred light years of Earth, and a carrier was assigned to Lieutenant Commander Hood for his duties which he promptly named Antelope.

At lunch the next day his father told him that he worried about the use of space bending portals, a common convenience of their old time, and thought that they were detectable from far away by advanced cultures. He suspected the spiders may have been able to target Earth because of the liberal use of the devices, perhaps making the planet show up like a knot in advanced spacetime sensors. The quantum entanglement satellites could perform the same real-time detection of space and time bending, but were not themselves any more detectable than other small lumps of plastic in space when they sent their warning.

To no one's surprise, Nikolai, as the highest ranking Fleet member in the Academy, was elected the new Captain of Cadets. He now led the entire student body around Pantocrator on his morning run, sometimes joined by his father who revealed a talent for singing filthy songs to the cadets.

Volunteers were sought among the various marine brigades, luring them with the offer of double pay for offworld service, and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade took up residence on Antiqua and began building a base.

Negotiations between Great Britain and the Admiral resulted in the Bahamas transferring ownership to the Fleet. In exchange, Great Britain would receive a continent on Antiqua, five MicroLuxes for the chief Ministers, and rejuvenation for every grandparent in the United Kingdom. Marc Brunel, Alaska's chief engineer, and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, California's chief engineer, would team with Konrad Kugel and his Prussians to design a Fleet Headquarters for the islands. Nikolai wondered how much of Tadeusz’s Bourtange derived design would make it into the final plan, then concluded that he had other things to worry about since several new cadets threatened to deprive the red team of weekend liberty. Whatever was built would be designed to impress and he had no doubts it would succeed.

At the end of his third semester he was informed by his father he would lead the entire third class on the field trip to Saturn. No civilians would be allowed to accompany them; there was work to be done on a Fleet reserve base on Titan.

The Admiral added, The Duke of Clarence will be joining us next semester. He wants to be a sailor again.

2

As expected Nikolai’s class went to Jupiter for their final class trip. They inspected the resources that had been accumulating in a base under the surface of one of the moons, and all cadets that had been making do with gunships were upgraded to Io brand cruisers.

On the way back to Corfu Nikolai thought of how fast time had gone in the last year. He had enjoyed his time with the cadets and felt like a more competent mature person, but he also felt he had lost time building his city. Others had been called upon to watch over his creation, and who knew what his father had done or planned to do with his people? Maybe he should be thinking of the whole Earth, and no doubt his father would agree with that, but a city was easier to think of in terms of personal effort; a whole planet would require an army to affect in a positive way, and what could you do before people started calling you a tyrant? Oh well, Pops says every leader is called a tyrant. Of course he’d think that.

The graduation ceremony was small and efficient with only 26 cadets. The Admiral congratulated them, told them to report in five days to the operational HQ, then dismissed them.

You haven’t named the new carrier yet, sir? asked new Lieutenant Ed Berry.

Got a suggestion? the Admiral responded.

How about Frying Pan?

"Hah! Frying Pan orbits over the Bahamas, if you have trouble finding it, Lieutenant."

Got it, sir, and thanks for the tip.

The cadets laughed as they made their way to their cruiser pads. Nikolai had not invited anyone to join him in San Francisco, despite a hint from Otto asking what he would do with his leave. His mind was on taking control back in his Duchy of California, and though his father might have other intentions now that Nikolai was a serving Fleet officer, he was determined to give any extra energy he possessed to the city’s growth and magnificence.

Count Dziewanowski was waiting as dawn light began to peek over the hills and mountains east of the city. A large public square covered the southern part of Alameda Island and served for various purposes such as traveling fairs or temporary art exhibits. Near its western side a large abstract sculpture jetted a fountain over a hundred meters into Cezar’s bay and was the subject of numerous jokes, particularly when a stray gust of wind resulted in any pedestrians being sprinkled.

As Nikolai arrived he noted dozens of ships and watercraft already out and traversing the upper and lower bays. A number of cargo balloons were parked at the San Mateo pyramid, probably unloading personal possessions of new citizens. Hopeful fishermen dotted the piers along with a few dozen sea lions and some early risers were tossing bread to pigeons.

His pad touched down, he stepped off in front of the Count and several of his aides. Two Legion companies and a third company of Scythians were formed up in rows before the Count and he paused in front of them as he reviewed his troops. He knew that Dominik had been keeping an eye on them while he attended the academy, he spent a moment recalling some of his reports. Dominik had started an exchange with the Legion’s 1st Brigade, sending a company to Scythia each month to train with the women, and receiving back a company in California for the same purpose. After the first month he started a competition as to which company would be picked; high simulation scores had resulted in the 4th Scythian Company being chosen three times so far. Their commander, Lieutenant Khetanya Huszenka, now stood proudly before her girls.

He looked her over and found no flaw. Her royal blue uniform with silver piping fit tightly over a small but strong feminine body. Like most of her sisters she wore the silver skullcap helmet over closely cropped hair but her eyebrows were thick and black and her cheekbones and eyes hinted at central Asian Tatar or Mongol heritage.

I’ve heard some disturbing reports, Lieutenant, he said to her, but received no response in return as she stood frozen to attention. The Chinese authorities in Xian have sent embassies to Irkutsk complaining about the Scythians. No doubt you are aware of their preference for women who quietly let themselves be robbed and abused?

Aye, my Lord. We are all aware.

Hmm. I understand Myriam has been training with you?

She seems to like our games, my Lord.

He looked her over, realizing he was enjoying the moment like commanders must have from the beginning of history, then raised his voice so the company could hear, I have a need for a company of women. Would you and your company consider it an honor if you were picked to become the Princesses Own Guards, permanently stationed here in San Francisco?

Aye, my lord. A great honor.

You may tell Commander Stoyba to recruit herself another 4th Company, Lieutenant Commander Huszenka. You and yours will train with my Royal Guard from tomorrow. Assign your company to the outer apartments of the 44th floor in the Napa Mid, the interior apartments you may do with as you please.

Aye aye, my lord. Thank you.

Nikolai nodded, appraising her once more. He realized he was thinking in terms of what her children might look like and stopped, then began moving on to the next company. Am I so far above them, to breed them like pets? But is it wrong?

He reached the 2nd company of his 1st Brigade. Lieutenant Pawlikowski stood straight and still in front of them. Szimon, how’s your Spanish?

I served in the Peninsula against Wellington, my Lord. It sufficed.

King Agustin wants to send a company here to train with us. In exchange I’m sending you to help Duke Calleja down in Central America. The agreement is for 90 days. You and your wife will dine with me tonight, and when you return from the south I will find something more interesting for you to do.

Pawlikowski slapped his fist over his heart and then returned to attention. Nikolai smiled and moved on.

Oleg Denisko was the Lieutenant of the 5th company of the 3rd Brigade, currently stationed just east of Lake Tahoe. A typical Polish warrior, thought Nikolai, big and blond and fit. Any Vikings in your blood, Lieutenant?

It seems likely, my Lord.

In Sitka, Alaska, you will establish yourself and another company of the 3rd Brigade that you will choose. You will be senior lieutenant, and your charge will be to regulate our seas north of the 49th parallel, from Alaska to Kamchatka. Whaling and net fishing will be forbidden. Mariners in distress will be rescued.

Aye aye, my Lord.

You will dine with us tonight and we will go over details. Bring a companion if you like.

Aye my Lord, I will.

Nikolai looked him over again, I bet you’d make some fine little Valkyrie maidens with that Zbyslava reporter. I wonder what she would think of that? He turned and joined Dominik and his aides. A slight nod resulted in a loud ‘Dismissed!’ from a sergeant. He stepped onto a barge with the Count and his aides for the short hop up to the residence.

When they arrived Dominik led them into his conference room at a leisurely pace. All of us are pleased, my lord, that your time at the Academy was successful, and you are back with us.

The Admiral hasn’t assigned me yet, Dominik. He likes to surprise, but he also knows Earth needs defenses. I’ll probably be assigned to Headquarters or somewhere nearby.

I thought you mentioned Laurent would be Defense Minister?

After Big Daddy is done with us.

Ah. The aides waited outside and left Dominik and Tadeusz to enter the conference room. Cristina and Izabela Czartoryska were chatting over coffee as they came in. I have captured him, he waved at Nikolai as he announced to the ladies, the legendary Big Boy.

Funny, Dom, replied Nikolai, How are our ladies doing? He asked as he ordered a steak omelet and coffee from the food service.

Cristina and Izabela looked at each other, then Cristina answered, There are 934 pregnant women in the city, so your ladies are keeping busy.

Good. I imagine that’s also going on in Poland?

So Dezydery says, replied Dominik. He also says there is a flood of immigrants coming across the border from Austria and Prussia, some Czechs as well.

How’s the food doing?

The harvest was poor, the weather has been terrible this year, but the Legion has the food service units and we can pay to import some from Ukraine for the citizens.

Next year will be better. That volcano that’s putting up so much dust and ash should calm down some, and our Siberian farms should produce better than this year. We’re putting everything we raised this year into seed for next year.

Many of the immigrants to Poland are bringing their old ones with them, said Izabela.

There are hundreds of thieves, added Cristina, selling them fake rejuvenation pills.

If King Michel needs our help, he can ask, but it doesn’t sound like a crisis.

No, agreed Dominik, we have seen much worse. Tadeusz and I wanted to ask you about the ambassadors. Kochubey thinks a Russian embassy would be appropriate, and we have delegations from the French and Prussians and others.

That seems like a decision you could have made without me, Dom. An Embassy Row of apartment and hotel towers would be easy enough.

It seems a foreign policy decision, my lord. It will also lead to more foreigners here, and some think we have enough.

I’m sure the padres think we have far too many. Well, as long as they behave I don’t care who comes.

That leads me to another concern, my lord. We have not had many crimes, and I have dealt with them, but every day there are more. The militia can act as police, but we need judges.

We also need a framework of rights, said Tadeusz. People don’t know if they can buy land, or rent out their apartments, though there are plenty doing both.

We give people free apartments and they rent them to others? Dominik, that seems like your problem.

Why should I care, my lord? It harms no one.

Fine. As far as rights, we are part of the Kingdom of Mexico and I know they mentioned something like that in their Constitution. For land titles, as a Count you own everything for 20 kilometers around your seat, which is here at the Alameda Mid. Baron Tadeusz owns everything for 10 kilometers from the Mateo Mid. As Duke, I own everything else, so...

Cristina cleared her throat.

And of course the Countess owns Oksana. I wasn’t going to sell it, cherie, but if someone wants to buy a piece of land we should get the money, even if we don’t need it. How’s the money doing, Dom?

I put the Comstock mine on standby when we reached a reserve of a thousand tons of silver. That should be enough for six years of my current budget.

Alright, we need to have a system of titles for land. Do a survey of the Duchy. If someone has been living on land long enough to build a house or farm, then register them, but only for what they’ve improved. We need to get that nailed down so newcomers can know where to buy and build.

It is a rather odd arrangement here, Nikolai, said Tadeusz. Usually the rulers take taxes from the people, but here the ruler, he nodded at Dominik, rains down money on the people.

I don’t rain on anyone except the Legion and city employees, replied Dominik.

They rain on everyone else, said Izabela.

I don’t think we’ll ever have a normal economy here, said Nikolai. But we don’t want to let it get too odd. Dom, you should bring in some financial experts.

As you say, my lord.

Anything else? I have five days of vacation before I report to duty.

Where would you like your Embassy Row? asked Tadeusz.

Put it over there across the bay where they can have a good view of the Count’s house. A dozen of the 20 floor apartment towers to start. Give one to Kochubey and let the rest of the Ambassadors beg us for space.

There was quiet for a moment, then Izabela asked, Do you want to do any news events, or make a statement while you’re here?

Make up something about how we’re working on the land title situation. I think we should prepare the people a little for that. Dom, you and Tadeusz need to decide if you want to charge rent or sell apartments in your pyramids. My father made a ton of gold each month from each of his.

It hardly seems fair, said Tadeusz, when we can pull up whatever we want from the ground.

Fairness, replied Nikolai, exists only in your imagination.

And in our ladies, said Dominik. Other than that, I will have to agree with the Prince.

An excellent conclusion. Ladies and gentlemen, he said as he stood, I’ve been looking forward to breakfast in my own house for a long time. We’ll talk again soon I’m sure.

Dominik bid them adieu and Nikolai went out to the reception corner atop the pyramid with Tadeusz, Izabela, and Cristina. Tadeusz called down a barge and stepped aboard, then floated away down south to his Mateo Mid. Izabela smiled and said she was glad Nikolai was back, then summoned a local pad to take her to her own apartment below.

Cristina seemed to hesitate so Nikolai summoned his own cruiser pad for the short hop over the bay to his own Napa Mid. She turned to face him.

Nikolai, I owe you so much. More than anyone could ever repay.

Can we talk about this at home?

I have sworn to obey you, and I will, but I need to tell you something, and I believe sooner would be better.

Nikolai stepped onto the pad and held out his hand for her. When she didn’t take it he asked, What?

August Granier, my chief doctor, has asked for my hand.

You must like him or it wouldn’t be a problem. Well, I wish you well, Cristina. I know most women prefer a man of their own.

She looked at his face, At this moment it seems a stupid thing to do.

I agree.

You are still my lord, Nikolai, in anything and everything, if you want me to stay....

My home is not a prison. Adieu, Cristina, and we better be invited to the wedding, he said as he rose into the air.

3

Siroon and Myriam had been living