To The Stars: Galactic Star Force - Battlefleet, #1

By Clayton L McNally

To The Stars is a fun and exciting read about humanity's near destruction at their own hands. Humanity left Earth behind after a nuclear and biological war. Colony ships leave Earth for Alpha Centauri and end up in another Galaxy. The survivors had witnessed what would be the destruction of life on Earth, leaving humanity's future in the hands of only 10,000 survivors.

Several hundred years of peace until the BrakNar and the Krang discover humanity. New life and hope are found in the Pegasus star system. Unfortunately, for society, it is a short-lived peace. The very right to exist as a non-food source is on the line for humanity.

The journey finds them encountering hostile aliens that force them to flee further from Earth and into salvation by friendly species. The ShanTu offers a world that could sustain humanity, a new home of hope for humankind.

On the planet, technology is uncovered that allows humanity to jump nearly 150 years into the future. This enables them to secure the borders of Pegasus and build a new home for humankind. Two planets became populated over 300 years, and once again, humanity was alive and growing.

Aliens attack and overwhelm the security arm of humanity - the Galactic Star Force. A courageous battle ensues, in fact, several. Humanity in Pegasus hangs on to threads of emotion, endurance, and suffering. Humanity fights on in a losing battle. Leaving Pegasus as refugees is the only salvation humanity can seek. Two Academy students rise to their honor and salvage a ray of hope in the dismal conflict that would all but consume humanity. Their love for each other is burdened by their passion for peace and saving humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clayton L McNally
• Release date: Jan 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781646698295

Clayton L McNally

Clayton McNally writes in a story-telling manner that is fast-paced and exciting. His stories grab your interest from beginning to end. 'To the Stars' will engage the imagination of Science Fiction enthusiasts. This action-packed novel includes hand-to-hand combat using Kenpo Karate and major space battles utilizing unconventional ingenuity.    Clayton is a software engineer and a 4th Dan Master Instructor of American Kenpo Karate, Reiki, and Acupressure Practitioner. Clayton has been a guest at numerous Science Fiction Conventions, including Albacon, Arisia, Balticon, Boskone, Marscon, Ubbercon, DexCon, NonCon, PortConMaine, UMassCon, and others. He provides excellent insight as a panelist. Email for appearances:     Email:       [e-mail] Email:       [e-mail] Website:    www.claytonlmcnally.com                  (Blog on website)

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Copyright

ISBN:    0-9777866-3-3    (Paper)

ISBN:   978-1-64669-829-5   (e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number:  2006902915

Digitally offered in the United States of America

First paper printing    12/15/2004

First e-book     1/20/2024

To The Stars (Book # 1)

Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet (Series name)

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420 plus printed pages

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By

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Clayton L. McNally

To The Stars (book #1)

Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet (Series name)

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

This book is a work of fiction. Places, events, and situations in this story are purely fictional! Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

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© 2003 by Clayton L. McNally.  All rights reserved.

Dedications

To my wife Betsy, the greatest inspiration I could ever have supported me. She comforted and advised me daily, as only a best friend can. Life with her had been the best that life could offer. 

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To Jenna, my youngest daughter, who is always an inspiration. She has always been an amazing young woman. You have the potential to reach the deepest of your goals, and nothing will stop you - of that, I am sure.  I am so proud of you. You light up every day for me.

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To Alicia, my oldest daughter, the energetic young lady with dreams to fulfill and so much potential to achieve those dreams. Each day is a wonder, and I cherish your presence. I am so proud of you.

Acknowledgments

To East West Karate, NE (Granby, CT) - every student, the parents, and my staff. The encouragement all along the way in writing this book has made it easier to fit into a busy schedule. As the Master Instructor of this school, I have listened to the input from all of my students and parents on the creation of the book series, the artwork, and much more. The students and parents here are the finest any Martial Arts school could want.

To Layne Moore for taking the cover art and creating the cover jackets. Combining many items to blend with the cover art makes it look good.

Contacting the Author

Clayton L. McNally enjoys contact from readers of the Galactic Star Force series. You can contact him through his email:

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[e-mail]  OR

[e-mail]

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Send email and images. Pictures help establish a connection to make it easier to converse with people. If you have star-ship drawings or aliens (evil or good) drawings to offer for no fees, they might be included in future books.

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Please allow time for a response.

Galactic Star Force Ship Categories

Note: There are two different fleets of the Galactic Star Force. The first fleet is used to battle the BrakNar and the Krang (To the Stars - book 1). The second fleet was discovered in a secret ShanTu military base.

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Galactic Star Force Ship Duties

General - Each type of ship, from smaller frigates to the largest super dreadnaught, mounts massive energy weapons: ThraseRs (long-distance constant energy beam), PulseARs (short distance, machine gun-like with heavy concentration of energy pulses), and a Laser Point-defense system (rapid-fire system to track and destroy incoming missiles or torpedoes). Each ship carries multiple missile launchers and Orb banks. The actual numbers on each vessel remained classified, and the numbers increased by starship size.  

AI Super Dreadnaught, only one exists: ‘Freedom.’ The primary scout ship, the Galactic Star Force, will be used to investigate the Universe and lead in battles. Freedom is a heavy weapon.

AI Super Carrier, there is only one in existence: ‘Heritage.’ The secondary scout ship, the Galactic Star Force, will be used to investigate the Universe and lead in battles. Heritage is a heavy weapon and launch facility.

Super Dreadnaught, Battleships, and Battle Cruiser: Their primary mission is waging war. They had super heavy hulls designed to take a lot of weapons fire. Generally, it is not used for diplomatic purposes unless it requires an impression to be made.

Galactic Star Force Ship Duties

Heavy Cruiser, Cruiser, and Light Cruiser: Their primary mission is to support exploration and the Diplomatic Corps, but they would also have to keep waging war. They had large hulls designed to take a lot of weapons fire, but not as much as the ‘Battle’ ready ships. Generally, they are not sent into areas of known aggression unless as a support ship or part of a small fleet.

Destroyers and Frigates: Their primary mission is to support scouting and escort duties and support the Diplomatic Corps. They would also have to support waging war. Lighter hulls are designed to take a limited amount of weapons fire, not as much as the Cruiser class of ships. 

Carriers, Light Carriers, and Fast Attack Carriers: Their primary mission is to support battles from a safe distance with a constant guard of escort ships - destroyers, frigates, and cruisers. They would also have to support waging war. Light to moderate hulls are designed to take a limited amount of weapon fire but are not intended to be in the middle of a battle. Due to the nature of their fighters and bombers and the damage they could inflict on the enemy, carriers would often be the target of choice by enemy warships.

Freedom

Freedom is a one-of-a-kind super dreadnaught. The unique nature of this starship is in the Artificial Intelligence that becomes complete when a ShanTu or Human/ShanTu is augmented and bio-neurally linked to the vessel.

Capable of destroying a planet with its weapons arrays, it utilizes four flight modes:

Sub-Light  - Less than the speed of

light, primarily used in intra-solar system travel

FTL    - Faster-Than-Light (up to

2,725 times the speed of light)

TransFTLStream  - Faster-Than-Light (up to

8,039 times the speed of light)

Spatial Folding - Manipulate Space and

Time to instantly move from one part of the Universe to another at over 40,000 times the speed of light

Freedom

Heritage

Heritage is a one-of-a-kind super-heavy carrier. The unusual nature of this ship is in the Artificial Intelligence that becomes complete when a ShanTu or Human/ShanTu is augmented and bio-neurally linked to the vessel.

Capable of bringing hundreds of fighters and bombers to a battle as well as its weapons, it could equal the firepower of a battleship class warship. It utilizes four flight modes:

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Sub-Light  - Less than the speed of

light, primarily used in intra-solar system travel

FTL    - Faster-Than-Light (up to

2,725 times the speed of light)

TransFTLStream  - Faster-Than-Light (up to

8,039 times the speed of light)

Spatial Folding - Manipulate Space and

Time to instantly move from one part of the Universe to another at over 40,000 times the speed of light

Heritage

Freedom - 3 Views

Heritage - 3 Views

Faster-Than-Light, TransFTLStream, and Fold Speeds

Estimates of Faster-Than-Light speeds are listed. Velocities are approximated.

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Faster-Than-Light, TransFTLStream, and Fold Speeds

Estimates of Faster-Than-Light speeds are listed. Velocities are approximated.

Table of Contents

Ship Descriptions

Faster-Than-Light Speeds

Chapter 1  Into the Night

Chapter 2  A Time to Stay! A Time to Go!

Chapter 3  New Hope, Beyond SOL

Chapter 4  Emergence at Alpha Centauri

Chapter 5  On the Run

Chapter 6  Looking Back

Chapter 7  On the Prowl

Chapter 8  Stalking the Hunter

Chapter 9  Closing the Door

Chapter 10  They Came

Chapter 11  Peace Never, Death Yes

Chapter 12  Last Stand

Chapter 13  Then There Were None!

Chapter 14  Evacuation - Left Behind

Chapter 15  Sad Memories of Friends

Chapter 16  Homeward Bound - Running Scared

Chapter 17  Awakening

Chapter 18  Full Circle - Alpha Centauri to Earth

Chapter 1 - Into the Night

Certain people are dispersed and scattered whose customs differ from those of all other people and who do not obey our laws; it is not in our best interest to tolerate them. Let a decree be issued to destroy them.

Everyday life at Lunar One stopped abruptly as all personnel ran to their duty operation stations. The ordinarily quiet Lunar One outpost on the Moon erupted with confusion in a flurry of activity. Sirens wailed, red lights flashed, and bulkhead doors automatically hissed shut to provide as much hope as possible for survival for its human occupants. Missile launch detected, yelled the computerized voice of Command and Control over the base intercom system.

General Harmond’s voice exploded over the loudspeaker, Attention all command teams! Report to Command and Control immediately! His was not the usual voice that announced any regular incursions experienced by Lunar One from the Block forces on the moon. It was terrific that assaults on their very lives had, over time, come to be considered routine. 

General Harmond did not like to waste the colony team members’ time with trivial matters. He came from a long line of military leaders, most of whom had been graduates of West Point. Under the harsh, artificial light, the many medals General Harmond wore that he had earned during his years of service glistened as he moved. As a military leader, he proved his command abilities against Southeast Asia in the South Pacific during World War IV. Due mainly to his strategy, Australia remained part of the Confederation, not Block-controlled people. He had chosen to stand his ground and fight when others suggested retreat. He earned the nickname ‘Granite’ for his perseverance and stubborn determination. 

Lunar One had become the pride of the Confederation, a crowning achievement of humankind's abilities to overcome the elements. Carved on the surface and into the moon, Lunar One became a base of operations for exploration and colonization of the SOL (Earth’s solar system) star system. Home to thousands of miners, scientists, colonists, and the military, activity was consistently high, with many functions to be performed. Survival in an environment of low gravity and no atmosphere was challenging enough: living with enemies nearby presented continuous difficulties to Lunar One.

Life on Lunar One was usually a scientific and mining operation but wholly under the auspices of the military. Entire families had migrated, and the Moon’s population now was reaching one million people, Block and Confederation. Everything a family community would require for life - schools, medicine, hydro-farming, etc. - was done to ensure survival if Earth was unable or unwilling to send supplies to the moon. A decent but small manufacturing capability was on the surface, and the raw materials were abundant enough to expand upon that base should it become necessary. Life on the Moon might be taxing, but families preferred it to Earth. It was almost like the ‘Wild West’ era of expansion that drew people to risk a hostile environment, hoping the payoff would give them a better life. Lunar One life was not serene and usually relatively calm.

Lunar One was under military control as the Earth below was still involved in the global conflict between two mighty forces. Lunar One’s structures covered miles of the moon, but now a special section rose from the surface into two massive spires that would be temporary. These new buildings were actuality ships - colony ships - under construction for a launch, ‘To the Stars.’ The start of these colony ships would give hope for peace and humanity's continued survival.

Lunar One was almost always in a state of motion or activity. Life on the moon wasn’t the typical nine-to-five type of job activity. Miners worked the mines in four shifts, processing many ores for resale on Earth. Mining activity alone left the base in a continual state of the business. The scientific community focused primarily on a single shift, but it frequently was a shift that would last ten or twelve hours. Much could be studied under the conditions of the moon that were either too difficult or expensive to recreate on Earth. The moon base had already seen dozens of medical cures and scientific-technological breakthroughs. 

The military presence here was by far the largest contingent of people. Marines and Air Corps were the largest. Several air wings and a small space naval force were stationed here. Earth, after all, was at war, and the moon was embroiled in the same battle.

The standard ‘battle stations’ team first arrived at Command and Control and took their respective places - Radar, Communication, Damage Control, Life Support, and Weapons. Each colonization project stationed on the moon must also report to Command and Control. The colony projects had been added to the list of ‘need-to-know’ members of Lunar One; the very survival of humankind depended on quick answers to stressful situations. Some problematic situations involved attacks from the Block moon forces that could, if not stopped, eliminate the Confederation colony's efforts to realize a dream. That dream was near becoming a reality of launch within days. This launch would take humankind ‘To the Stars’ searching for a new home and hopefully peace.

At this time, two colonization projects were nearing completion, Mars and Alpha Centauri. The Confederation leadership had long since decided that two colonization projects should be undertaken. The first colony would be on Mars, but Mars was also home to a Block expeditionary force. This Block force could one day be expanded and see yet another site for war between the two opposing powers on Earth. It was currently known that the Block had also designed for an expansion of their own Mars facility, and sooner or later, the conflict on and around Earth would engulf Mars as well. Mars was smart to settle, but it did not provide the answer to a peaceful home for Confederation colonists.

Alpha Centauri was considered the best hope for the successful existence of a hearty breed of Confederation colonists. They would venture into the unknown and carve out a place for humanity among the stars. Intelligence was confident that the Block had no designs on Alpha Centauri. While the risk to colonists might be significant, the potential for peace seemed higher.

Each colony team had double command teams, for it was felt that redundancy in all aspects of the colonization projects would help ensure the successful completion of the mission goals. Mission goals were quite simple: the survival of humankind. The simple goal was survival, not just a continuation. They dared to dream of much more. Overwhelming every colonist on both ships was the desire to build a community of peace. Earth would always remind them of how things could go wrong when the opportunity was still there for humankind to live in peace and go to the stars as a combined team of explorers. While exploration and colonization would remain a mainstay in each Confederation colony ship, the Mars colony was overshadowed by the ever-present military forces of the Block to contend with.

Captain Billow of the Mars team reached Command and Control first. Bob Billow was a competent and experienced Captain, respected by his side for his consistency and accuracy. His efficiency as a leader could make any team member feel secure. His only failing was his challenge relating to people. The personnel and colonists respected him well, but he lacked the personal touch to make them feel entirely comfortable around him.

Tina Hargrain, commander of the second team, was equally competent and similarly dedicated to completing her mission. She excelled in efficiently running the colony project, and the colonists related to her well.  When the time came, both command teams would journey to Mars. One group would pilot the ship while the other would be suspended in cryogenic chambers if needed. Mars command teams were continually evaluated throughout the vessel's building and the colonists' training. Mission Control would announce the final selection of who would be drivers and who would be the passengers of the command teams. 

The final command members arrived at Command and Control within three minutes of being summoned. They took their respective places around the briefing table. Marine guards lined the room, and an unusual number of soldiers stood outside the entrance door. If air could be felt like a weight on your back, it would feel heavy, as if imminent danger loomed. Tension seemed to signal another potential catastrophe that might be appearing over the Moon Base Lunar One again. The air felt heavy, almost like it was laden with dust particles, making it difficult to breathe.

Below Lunar One, Earth had seen countless wars. Currently, World War IV was in a state of dormancy. In the past, conflicts had been defined by moments of an outbreak and, finally, a conclusion. By contrast, World War IV seemed to have evolved into an ongoing battle that had paused the fighting for short periods. These lulls in action often lasted a few months - once or twice as long as a year - but no formal ending was ever signed; no lasting peace was ever maintained. 

General Harmond, Greg Charman, Captain of the second Alpha Centauri command team, was the first to speak. He was alarmed by the extra security measures outside and inside the central control room. On a standard alert, there might be two or four sentries. Today’s alert saw the hallway and command center lined with over twenty Marines in full combat armor. Why all the extra firepower?

General Harmond glanced briefly at the Alpha Centauri Captain.

May I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen, he said, turning away from his console. He looked anxious but not scared. Harmond was a supremely confident leader who inspired calm and reassurance in those he worked with. Even with alarms clanging and sirens wailing, his command team moved deliberately, absent the reckless terror lesser soldiers might display. We are currently under heightened security and on red alert.

The red alert could imply a breach in the station hull, depleting oxygen reserves, damage from space debris, a dignitary of some importance, or even an assault on the base. A red alert wasn’t called for just a routine problem; it had to be a matter of great urgency, an item that might jeopardize the Moonbase and both colony projects. No one, especially the General, took any potential dangers to the Lunar One facility for granted. Great care would be taken to ensure the need for a red alert; invoking a red alert was a strain on military and civilian personnel.

Captain Lee Allan, leader of the second team destined for Alpha Centauri colonization, cleared his throat. General, is the Block launching another raid on the base here?

This was a logical question anyone might ask who had lived in Lunar One for any amount of time, especially considering the numerous incursions against Lunar One by Block forces. Captain Allan was not a man shaken into non-action by adversity; his approach to strife was to meet it head-on. His family boasted a long line of military leaders, earth-bound. He had volunteered early on to make the trip to Alpha Centauri. He had met with his relatives, and they believed, as he did, that a member of the Allan household should be part of this project. He was the only single person in the Allan family and the only one who had always looked to the stars, even as a young child. Until the Alpha Centauri colony project, he had thought his calling to space would remain unfulfilled. The colonization of Alpha Centauri presented a dream come true to a man who had all but given up on that dream in his lifetime.

The Block constantly challenged Lunar One, attempting to sabotage the Confederation’s Mars schedule. The Block’s goal was to get to Mars first and prevent the Confederation team from reaching the planet. If that happened, a battle for the Confederation colonists to land on Mars would ensue.  The Confederation colony project was set to launch, and all intelligence indicated that the Block Mars ship couldn’t begin for at least a month or two. A window of even one month would allow the Confederation colony time to build the new facility and prepare a defense. If they had to fight to the surface, the Confederation colony project might sustain losses that could jeopardize its survival.

General Harmond looked across the table sternly, demanding everyone focus on him. Today, there was something more than average in his look. His eyes bore an expression of intense concern. 

Mr. Allan, he said, It is worse than the Block launching an attack on us - at least for the Mars team. The Block has launched their Mars ship at least a month ahead of schedule. Additionally, they have launched a patrol ship to accompany her. As his words settled over the room, all eyes responded with looks of great pain. Even the Alpha Centauri team winced at the stark reality of what the Mars colony ship would face.

Captain Tina Hargrain felt frustrated and angry as she listened and considered the fallout of the General’s unexpected message. Hers was the mission most likely to encounter resistance from the Block. She was not a quitter. She would still move forward and make the best effort to bring her ship to a safe landing on Mars, but this news placed her entire project and many lives in harm’s way.

General, Tina said. It would seem they have finally made known their intentions.

The General cast his steely gaze her way.

Yes. It would appear the Block plan is to deny landing on Mars to the Confederation colonists. 

The Block has never much cared for how they destroyed Earth, and now they want to stop us from going into space, Captain Hargrain said, unable to hide her disgust.

Mars had become a project of hope for the survival of the Confederation's way of life. Too many leaders of the Confederation had all but given up on peace developing on Earth. Their home planet was having trouble supporting its quickly expanding population. Mars offered the vision of humanity, building a future for humankind, a future of peace. Many rumors abounded about the Block's plans to colonize Mars, but it was generally believed that they lacked the resources to mount such a project. The Block had done what most of the ‘think tanks’ of the Confederation thought they couldn’t do.

Stripped of nearly all her natural resources and bruised from countless wars, Earth was still home to ten billion people. She sheltered a species capable of monumental scientific achievements and wondrous beauty in art, literature, and music. She also raised this species with the unique capacity to hate beyond reason and kill quickly.

Earth's ability to provide food and raw materials for sustenance and future growth sustained billions of lives. But it was a planet reaching its natural resource limits and becoming a quickly shrinking space for the growing population. As more and more people populated Earth, more and more acreage of timber was lost to expansion. Soon, Earth’s only plant life would be in protected ‘plant’ reserves, like the old game reserves for animals that became extinct.

Humankind had covered Earth's land entirely with monuments stretching to the sky and miles of high concrete and steel communities. Each village was self-contained, an entire city of hundreds of thousands. Home, food, work, and even social life could be found within a town. Life once dotted the planet's surface; now, few live in the smaller communities that choose to avoid the technological centers of humankind. Earth was a technical marvel, as well as a mechanical monster. Opinions varied on that.

As Earth’s population grew during the twenty-first century, humankind began moving its mountainous homes offshore into the seas. Now, even the once pristine oceans sprouted a multitude of artificial islands. Later, the heavens became home to growing populations, as several space stations supporting many thousands were launched into indefinite orbit around Mother Earth.  Most of the orbiting stations served a defensive and scientific purpose. Lunar One was a little bit of each - the most recent monument to humankind’s constant need for more and more resources to satisfy an insatiable appetite for expansion. Humankind has polluted the world with tons of waste from many different kinds of sources, some even cancer-causing to people. These great cities housed people, animals, and plant life from the ever-hostile environment created by humankind’s waste.

Despite the red alert condition, General Harmond could not avoid a moment of reflection. Even though he received many decorations as a career soldier, he hated war. Having seen too much of it at too-close proximity, General Harmond loathed the senseless waste of human life. He was forever at odds with the inherent contradictions of humankind and its impressive ability to create - and destroy - with equal zeal. Any species should aspire to achieve its maximum potential, but with humanity, conflict inevitably arises over Earth's remaining resources. Throughout the millennia during which humanity had existed - just a moment in the life of Earth - wars had blighted the history books of every nation. No matter what one man held, someone else always wanted to take it away. If a conflict didn’t take place over material property, then it was spawned by different belief systems. The reasons for friction between nations were as numerous as the incidents of wars fought among them. History had always predicted that the ‘current war’ would be the war to end all future wars.

General Harmond had studied at West Point and participated in many battles. Many were considered the conflict or war that would end all wars. He knew all too well that as long as differences existed between people, there would always be bullies of one kind or another, even ‘bullying’ nations that sought to control their people. Humanity seemed to revolve around conflict. From each battle, humankind grew smarter - or maybe just savvier - and technology improved. Sadly, Harmond knew the accomplishment of reaching the stars had grown out of the many past battles. Many more battles would likely be waged before this ‘final frontier’ was tamed.

The course of Earth’s history was littered with various failed Unions, fractured Alliances, and toppled Empires - each composed of different social structures - from the early Greek, Roman, and Ottoman Empires to the more recent German, British, Soviet Coalition, and the United States of America. After thousands of years of strife, Earth now supported only two forces: the Confederation of the Free States and the Eastern Block. The Block and the Confederation co-existed, but far from peacefully. One would think there would be fewer opportunities for conflict with only two powers in the world, but this was not so. The conflict raged over the remaining safe land areas. The seas and even space had become a battle zone. Neither superpower could destroy or control the other as each would have liked. Each had fashioned beliefs out of ideologies that dominated their respective societies.

The Eastern Block had grown out of the world’s Asian countries, and its ideology was still based solidly on Communism. In the aftermath of World War III, the Eastern Block had occupied territories from China’s east coast to the North Sea - including all the Scandinavian countries and part of France (up to Eastern Paris) - as well as many Mediterranean countries. They felt their destiny was to dominate everyone else and indoctrinate others into their way of life and ideology. Subjugation was the cornerstone of the belief and their plan for absolute domination over the earth. Their strength was not born of technology as much as by sheer overwhelming numbers. Many underdeveloped or overpopulated countries had fallen in battle before the mighty armies of the Block. Once they collapsed, they joined the Block by coercion. 

The Block’s growth lacked a creative technological aspect, but they only stole whatever they lacked in technology. Growth came at a high cost to the Block in lost lives. Their armies would sacrifice millions for their victories. They dared not raise the stakes in their desire to conquer the world. With ‘technologically advanced weapons,’ the Confederation was superior and, if pushed, might use them.

No nation had actively chosen to become part of the Block; they merely succumbed to the Block’s overwhelming numbers of soldiers. As a result, the Block could afford to sacrifice millions of conquered territory armies in its conquest for global territories and precious food supplies. For over thirty years, they had overcome by offering life in the afterlife. Casualties were heavy on both sides, but the Block suffered more heavily. Despite this, sixty percent of the world’s total population, well over six billion people - were currently citizens of the Eastern Block.

The Eastern Block was undoubtedly a force to be feared, one entity that pursued total world domination and had the ability and desire to make it happen. Only the Confederation stood in the way of their goal.

The Confederation of Free States had evolved from the former United States of America. Still, based on the U.S. Constitution, it consisted of Canada, Iceland, Greenland, South, and Central America, France (south and west of Paris), England, and the Pacific Islands. Even the traditionally autonomous and pioneering Australia had joined. The United States of America grew as a haven for refugees as a response to constant attacks from the Eastern Block on other countries. These nations, wishing to remain free, became partners with the United States. America was viewed as the world’s last hope for democracy, the only country capable of halting the Block’s many military advances. While the U.S. lacked the bodies to combat the grinding army machine of the Block, America’s technology far exceeded that of its enemy. The U.S. could neutralize advancing Block troops with surgical precision or annihilate Block troops with heavy non-nuclear weapons of destruction.

The Confederation didn’t just happen. Countries watched much of Europe, India, and other nations fall like dominos. They witnessed the total disregard for life the Block demonstrated in taking territory and its cruelty in controlling the people in their conquered territories. Gradually, most countries realized that a few options remained open to them. While they might have preferred to retain their sovereignty and stay independent, they also understood it would be unreasonable to expect the U.S. military to fight and die for unaffiliated countries in an extended war. As nation after nation came to the U.S. for support and protection, the Confederation flourished. As it grew, it established its new leadership base in the well-protected desert of Arizona. The original United States had fifty states; the new Confederation was well over one hundred states.

The Constitution of the U.S. remained intact - the American people refused any alternative - it survived as a document providing hope to many as it announced to the world, ‘We will not surrender.’ It stood for everything that free people could desire. It was hope for everyone who genuinely wanted to be free from oppression.

The Confederation quickly became the best hope for humankind to live in peace. Once again, a fragile peace appeared to be giving way to war. As humanity continuously reached into space, former land and sea battles - destructive and deadly - had been joined by conflicts amid the stars.

Captain Billow addressed the group, even though he knew there was no reason to state the obvious. As one of the command teams journeying to Mars, he was most concerned with the colonists' safety.

Without some protection, the Mars colonists will not stand a chance of surviving, much less for the colony to grow. The Block’s lightly armored patrol ship can wait for us and finish us off before we even try to land. Captain Billows stated a vital concern for the colony ship to face.

The Mars team voiced a valid concern. It was pointless - even foolhardy - to make an ill-fated attempt. Neglecting such a drastic step from the Block forces was tantamount to suicide.

Our first concern is to establish a time frame for launching the Mars ship, General Harmond said with a sullen look. The military is prepared to provide for the colonists’ safety. I will address that plan with you after we have determined how soon Mars 1 can launch.

Captains Hargrain and Billow conferred with each other and their respective executive officers.

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General, the Mars ships can deploy in under six hours, Captain Hargrain said. The launch window has already been set, and moving the launch time won’t endanger the mission. The remaining supplies can be loaded during pre-flight; I estimate two to three hours to complete loading. The first day of the journey can be used to secure the colonists into their habitat spaces. Her project was fortunate that a few hours, either way, posed no threat to the colonists’ safety. The Block forces, however, were a different story.

General Harmond nodded what seemed a relieved approval of their time frame. In due time, he would let the crews of both colony ships know what safety options were available to them.

If we can launch within six hours - with the drives fitted on Mars 1 - arrival in Mars orbit should occur less than one or two hours behind the Block ship. Assuming they believe our ship can’t launch for at least two days, they won’t expect us this soon. I will immediately instruct the Marine Reserve unit to assist in loading all remaining supplies and colonists. As General Harmond finished speaking, he motioned to Colonel Redgrave to take the floor.

Colonel Lang Redgrave, the General’s executive assistant, stood to address them, his face showing total confidence. He was known for his subtle genius in planning; the record showed that his proposals had good prospects for success.

If the window can be shortened between the arrival of the Block’s ship and that of Mars 1, we may be able to exploit an element of surprise. Regardless, Mars 1 will arrive with protection, Colonel Redgrave said.

What kind of protection? both Hargrain and Billow asked simultaneously. This seemed a valid question, particularly for those who would endanger their lives and the lives of the Mars 1 colonists. Hargrain added, It has to be strong protection for our colonists to have a viable chance of survival.

Mars 1 has been specially built with one cargo bay set aside for military equipment. Colonel Redgrave directed their attention to schematics on the room’s primary console monitor. An overlay appeared on the screen, illustrating a cargo bay within the Mars 1 ship that was off-limits, at least from the colonists’ perspective. Colonel Redgrave knew he had their attention, While many planners have long believed it was overkill to provide the Mars 1 colonists with anything heavier than standard military issue guns, others argued that prudence in these uncertain times made logical sense. Fortunately, General Harmond had the foresight to prepare for aggression from the Block since they have proven to be very predictable in the past.

Redgrave added arrogantly, Because the Block command staff members aren’t the brightest crayons in the box. They are predictable. Other uses for this particular cargo bay had been planned. He had personally supervised the stockpiling of a weapons cache that could support a small army for up to a year. He was confident that he had planned for most contingencies of any potential Block attacks once the colonists landed on Mars.

As the Alpha Centauri 1 (AC1) colony ship contained a similar design, the Alpha Centauri teams were equally curious about the role their vessel’s cargo bay would play. This Alpha Centauri team knew their survival in the unknown was less confident. Thus, they would require more extensive and sophisticated defense systems than they had seen.

Exactly what will the cargo bay of AC1 carry? asked Captain Allan. His colonists would potentially encounter higher risk, and the answer to this question could give him a feeling of relief over the uncertainty of surviving a hostile encounter with the Block, or worse yet, the potential of some alien species light-years from Earth attacking the colony.

In addition to standard light armor equipment, Redgrave began, the cargo bay has been designed to carry specially built one-person fighters for interception of potentially hostile aircraft. Even forgetting the Block, we don’t know what to expect. Concerning our colonists’ lives, it was thought we should err on caution. Redgrave had turned to face Captain Allan. Colonel Dalton can better define your security measures with specific details.

Mars 1 can hold six StarFire fighters, Colonel Dalton said. His call name was ‘Dynamite,’ and he would command the fighter squadron HiJinks. Although he was currently in charge of base security, he would be making the journey to Mars. His exemplary record during many years of air combat had elevated him to near-legend status as a battle strategist. We felt that, at minimum, a limited force would be necessary on Mars. We’ve been on Mars long enough to establish a habitat, yet no dangerous or threatening life forms have been uncovered. We projected a time when the Block would launch an offensive. As my colleague has correctly pointed out, they are very predictable in their potential for aggression.

Both colonies would require some level of protection, so it stood to reason that the Alpha Centauri team would raise safety questions or concerns.

What is the fighter contingent on AC1? asked Captain Charman, a second Alpha Centauri team member. By now, everyone recognized the need for military protection, especially the Alpha Centauri teams. The Alpha Centauri project could be the journey of everyone’s dreams or an absolute nightmare. Safety had to be the primary concern. The entire project team had been dedicated to peace.

Colonel Dalton stood to address the question of AC1’s security contingency. Captain Charman, we plan to take three Flight Squads - a total of eighteen fighters - plus one small patrol vessel. All crew members are volunteers, and their families have already been added to the colonists’ crew.

One question remained regarding the final authority of the teams. There was a school of thought that no mission could survive with dual command staffs, that one side needed full power while the other would be there to assist.

General, Captain Randars asked, who is in charge of the mission? Will this be a military or civilian colony? 

General Harmond cleared his throat and thought for a moment. He had received the final crew disposition from Earth Control. He had spent months working with each team and would be the best person to announce the appropriate command structure.

Command will stay as planned, General Harmond said. The military presence is intended solely for the protection of the civilians, not to lead or control them. At all times, the rules of the Constitution will be followed just as if you were still on Earth. The documents under which our Confederation is governed and still outline our values today will accompany you, along with our code of laws. 

The Constitution was one of Earth’s most important documents, a living document for hope and freedom. A fresh copy had been written just for both colony projects, such that each colony would have guiding principles to provide for a free environment for humanity’s expansion or survival should Earth be cleansed of human life.

General Harmond could not tell why Captain Randars had asked the question. Was it from the perspective that he and his counterpart, Captain Richards, wished to assume command, or did he want the authority to assure command teams and civilians of the colonies’ social blueprint? The truth was that the colonization mission would not become a military mission. The primary captain of each colony mission would assume the role of ‘Governor’ after landing. The second captain would take over as the ranking military/security officer and report directly to the governor.

General! Colonel Redgrave turned to General Harmond and cleared his throat. Excuse me, sir, radar is tracking a second launch, sir.

Is it an attack on this base? Harmond stood and strode purposefully from the conference table and went to command. What kind of missile is it?

The vessel looks three to four times the size of the Block’s Mars ship, sir, Colonel Redgrave responded as he moved to the plot board to ascertain a flight path. Projected trajectory is ... similar to what the Alpha Centauri team will be taking!

Captain Allan appeared alarmed at being caught off guard. This news was alarming, to say the least, and bode of potential trouble for the AC1 colony team. All the intelligence in the world didn’t add up to anything if it was wrong. In this case, the intelligence community was grossly mistaken in recognizing the Block Alpha Centauri project or the Blocks' ability to fund it.

With all of our intelligence, there was no clue the Block had a second ship? Captain Allan asked.

Apparently not. General Harmond seemed visibly frustrated. It was, after all, his responsibility to supervise and analyze all intelligence. He had speculated privately about the possible existence of such a ship, but Earth Control emphatically assured him that the Block didn’t have the resources to mount simultaneous expeditions. We have only one appropriate response, he said, We must launch AC1 as soon as possible. What is AC1’s earliest launch window?

Like the Mars team, the Alpha Centauri colonists are ready, Sir, Captain Charman said. The schedules had been coordinated from the beginning to ensure both ships could launch within hours of each other. There was speculation that the Block might stage an all-out offensive against Lunar One if the Mars ship started.

It had been determined early on that insufficient resources were available to build additional moon quarters and two ships. Once the initial construction of AC1 was complete, the living quarters for the entire team comprised the first section. From that point on, the remaining components of AC1 extended to either side of the existing engines aft and command forward. The living section also contained all the necessary cryogen stations. 

AC1 had been under construction during the same time frame as Mars 1 but with a four times larger workforce. All that was left to be done to AC1 was to load the seedlings, animal embryos, and all the other remaining supplies that would help the terraforming process. 

Charman leaned over and spoke quietly to Lee Allan for a moment.  General, Charman announced, AC1 can launch within six to seven hours.

General Harmond nodded his approval, relieved by the possibility of launching sooner than initially planned. He hoped that with the departure of both colony ships, Lunar One might settle down into an everyday mundane existence on the Moon or, better yet, he might finally return to Earth and help in the war effort.   

It would be especially wise to launch as soon as possible, Colonel Redgrave said. "This would be a great time to assault Lunar One by the Block forces. Mars 1 will launch in