Guardian stone 1 stone g.., p.16
Guardian Stone 1: Stone Genesis, page 16
"That is really good news. Considering that is just from the first batch, we should be ready sooner. I am just hopeful that we can fill out the rest of our senior officer billets to bring this all into a cohesive force. I keep getting an itchy feeling that they may be needed sooner that we realize."
Sam said, "I have to keep reminding myself that we have a technology available to us that can accomplish things we might only dream about. Let me try one on for size. We now have a number of highly recognized senior officers serving with us but we need many more. We also have lists of every officer that has served in all the services in the world who is still living. We have a pretty good idea of whom we do not want because they are tin-pots, incompetent or unscrupulous. Take them off the list. For those that remain, lets personalize the approach in the form of a personal invitation. Most of the ones we want to talk to know who you are by now so you should be the face on the message. Most of them also know someone on station. So those faces should be included. Meet with your generals and see whom they know on the list. Better yet, let Joe and Josh do it. It will be something they can get their teeth into. Who is ethical and who is not. That should pretty much weed out more of the undesirables. Then we send a direct message to those left and invite them to an upgrade program with their spouses and tell them of our need and how they might fit in. That should maximize the exposure and I think will get results."
"Sam, you have done it again. That is a really good idea. It should do the trick without taking undue time for the lot of us away from the station. I like it. Fador what do you think? "
"I believe this will work. It should certainly be sufficient to complete your command structure."
Hank went on, "Yes, it should and that leaves us with one final hole in the whole thing, shock troops. Not so sure that we would want to use them against the Glarin but I think, as I mentioned earlier, we are going to need them. I think it is time to consider President Johnson's thought about existing units, particularly since we have similar suggestions from China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Great Britain, Canada, Brazil and some others. Barana can you set up a meeting in about an hour with my Generals and we will see what we can get together."
Fador said, "Would you mind if I and a few advisors worked with your Generals on this little project. We might be able to contribute useful information particularly as respects components of the technology available to them. I admit that I too sometimes overlook capabilities that we have until we have something occur that prods the memory."
Hank slapped his forehead and replied, "Of course, forgive me for not asking. That is an excellent thought. In fact let's carry this one step further, Barana, any meetings that we have should appear on Fador's schedule so he has the opportunity to attend if it is of interest and he is available or wishes to provide send an alternate. On those where he is not available, you can run a recording of same, if he wants it. Fador, I'm sorry I did not think of this myself."
An hour later at the meetings with the generals, Sam outlined the basics of her plan with Hank providing supplements where appropriate. Fador explained the capabilities of the technology available to them. Hank related the results of the upgrade project and outlined the needs. All were invigorated by the success of the recruitment. Hank said, "As you have heard a number of countries have offered to provide honorable discharges for troops and in fact whole units wishing to sign on with us. If we accept this, these units will form the core of our shock troops when we need them. We have told the various countries that we are considering acceptance of this offer. The conditions are that all must be voluntary, receive honorary discharges and be willing to swear allegiance to the Antoran Fleet. There must be no spies embedded in the volunteers and that their families be permitted to accompany them. A number of the services are already transferring out those not willing to participate and bringing in people who are. Several of the transferrable troops are ready to transfer now. They have been advised that these forces will be integrated and be run through a four-month training regimen that will use Marine Corps type methods to develop esprit de corps. All have been clearly advised that these forces will not be used against any geopolitical entity on Earth. A country may request assistance in providing humanitarian services following a natural catastrophe but that is about the extent of their use down there. Each of these countries has also agreed to allow liberty on their soil, so we will have to figure out what we will use as a payment base. That is a few months away so no immediate rush on that."
Later as they met with the Generals, Hank briefed them and advisors on the first round of persons through the upgrade program. He then described the offers from various countries to provide what he was calling his shock troops. He was asked if they would be really needed and responded by saying that he had that funny little itch in his head that he had learned to respect so he intended to move ahead. He indicated that he expected that they would not be used against the Glarin but wanted them in reserve nevertheless. He noted that he wanted to be sure all troops were working together and were well integrated. He noted that in addition to the 800,000,000 that had participated in the first round, the second round of 670,000,000 were now considering their options and that the third round of 1,200,000,000 were starting their upgrades today. That brought a low whistle of surprise from one of the generals and grins from several others. He then had Sam describe her idea and that met with a very positive reaction. Hank indicated that he would ask Generals Carson and Adams to put it together with whatever advice Fador's group and the other senior staff could offer. He indicated that he would like to have this go out sometime in the next week.
Hank pointed out that the fleet need for gunners was their initial manpower prerogative. "Let's put this in perspective. The Type 1A station has 49,670 external energy projectors to man, the Type 1B has 39,114 and the Type 2's have 19,763. That's a total of 2,522,456 enlisted to man the projectors and that includes NCO's per shift to help manage the troops for projector combatant billets on just the stations. In addition we will need about 29,892 officers to go with that. For two shifts, that means 5,104,716 persons just for the Stations armaments. We will need 26,000,000 combatants and another 22,000,000 to man the warships with about 210,240 Officers for the chain of command. Ground crews amount to 14,000,000 enlisted and 2,000,000 Officers times 2 shifts comes to 32,000,000 persons. The enlisted support for the chain of command has not been factored into these numbers. All in all that is about 85,000,000 military members of the fleet and that is not counting the training command, the supply command and a few other things. The final number will probably be closer to 100 million. Staggering isn't it. But it is all coming together."
After meeting with the Generals, Hank and Sam returned to Fador's Library. Fador said, "Remember that Russian general you could not convince to join us but who seems to be ideal for our purposes."
"Yes I do, His wife died about 18 months ago and he is missing her terribly."
Fador went on, "I have been looking over the recordings and in spite of what he said, I think this is a case of self image getting in the way. Or should I say present self-image. I noticed that the general still has an eye for the ladies. Take a look at this recording and notice his reaction when Sam arrived and later when the young lady on the street walked by."
Sam said after viewing the recording, "General Grigori Baranof, you look almost wistful."
"Exactly. Lasa-Dor noticed it and suggested an experiment she would like to try. I think it merits a try. What do you think."
Both Hank and Sam had big grins and said, "How soon can we speak to Lasa-Dor?"
Fador said smiling, "This is a difficult job but we have to have some fun do we not. Lasa-Dor will be here in about a minute and then we can all go try out our Russian."
Lasa-Dor arrived and asked, "Do you like my idea."
Hank said, "I love the idea that we have so many attractive geniuses about. Your idea is great. Ready to try it out."
Lasa-Dor exclaimed, "Yes, definitely. He is a good man and should not be barred by his false self perception and if this works it will be a kindness that I will be happy to have been a part of."
"Barana tells me that he is usually reading at his dacha about this time of day. Let's do it." They transported to the general's home a little ways outside of Moscow. The four of them went to his door and Hank knocked on the door.
When the door opened, the general looked surprised but cordial. He said, "Ah my American friend, you do not take no for an answer, but forgive my manners, Come in, come in, you are just in time to join me in my one remaining vice, a daily shot of vodka. Very stereotypical wouldn't you say? Besides it is not good to drink such alone. I see you have brought your lovely wife and some friends. Come in and introduce them to me."
Hank said, Thank you tovarich, it is a pleasure to see you again and I make no secret that I wish it were more often. I would like to introduce to you Fador, leader of the Antoran people and his daughter Lasa-Dor."
Baranof shook hands with Fador and took the hand of Lasa-Dor, kissed her hand and with a puzzled look said, "surely my friend misspoke, you both look to be a young married couple." She merely smiled.
After they were all comfortably seated, Hank said, "My friend, I wanted you to meet Fador but he was in meetings when last we visited. In a sense, I wanted to correct that oversight and we all had the time now, so we are, as you have heard Americans say, 'taking a break' before returning to the salt mines."
Baranof laughed and said, "Henry, the first part of that was clearly American but the 'salt mines' are most definitely Russian."
"There is certainly no slowing down that sense of humor of yours. I remember it from your visit to Washington when you shared stories following my MOH reception. But you said something when I introduced Fador and Lasa-Dor about how they looked like a young married couple that leads to a question. I know that you do not hide the fact that you are 78 years old. My question for you is, how old do you think is Fador?"
Baranof looked thoughtful, then said, "Based on his appearance and the knowledge that he is the Antoran leader I would have to guess 50 and I feel like that is too high based primarily on appearance."
Fador replied, "I was 104 of your years when I assumed command of my people in your year 1512. I am now 605 of your years."
Before Baranof could recover, Hank went on, "and how old do you think is Lasa-Dor?
Baranof was still trying to digest the information but went on gamely saying, "again the appearance would suggest a young woman in her 30's but the poise and presence suggest 40's."
Hank said, "This may have been an unfair question, Lasa-Dor, how old are you, which by the way is usually a question that is not asked in polite Earth society?"
Lasa-Dor replied, "I was born ten years after the fleet arrived at Antor II in Tau Ceti. Your year was 1523 so I would now be 491 of your years."
Baranof sat back clearly stunned and then slowly, one could see in his face that he had come to grips with what he had just heard. He stood up, looked at each of them quietly and then smiled at Hank and said, "My friend Henry, I have heard it said of your reputation that you do not give up easily on people. I have also talked to people who were present at your actions at Kajaki and their reports of the lengths you will go to aid, protect and help your friends and those you protect. And now today I see for myself what a fine devious mind you have to provide the tools you need to perform the former. You are the kind of person to whom I can give my loyalty. I would be honored to apply for a position in your fleet if you will still have me. I still miss my Anna and probably always will, but I think she would want me to do this. So what do I do now?"
Hank went over to him, gave him a bear hug and said, "Wonderful, but you must know that this idea was not mine, I wish it had been, it was Lasa-Dor's and I was more than happy to try it. I can't tell you how delighted I am to have you come with us." With that Lasa-Dor went over to him and kissed him on the cheek and said, "When your treatments and training are complete, I wish to be the one to show you around the station." There were tears in the old generals eyes.
Hank said, "We can go now if you wish and you can bring as much of your belongings as you would like. We can also arrange your quarters to look very much like what you have here. Barana tells me that your son has been informed of your decision and wants to know if you are agreeable to having him, his wife and two children as next-door neighbors they would be very pleased. I think that your granddaughter, little Anya, was the most excited. They were not going to apply as long as you did not and were not going to use that to pressure you into doing something that you did not want to do. You will see them grow and their children's children. Welcome aboard Grigori. Are we all ready to go, Lasa-Dor will explain what is next when we are up on the Station and the options available."
After they were back on station, Barana said,
"Ok." And Barana transported him to the Presidents room. "Mr. President, are you ok?"
"Thanks to you, I am. The first shot scared the bejeebers out of me, I saw agent Andrews trying to get between me and the gun so I blocked him and the second shot made me mad so I went up to him and took his gun away after he fired the third time. Then I slapped him and grinned at him, showed him the bullets and the sucker fainted dead away. He had a cyanide capsule in a false molar so that was extracted before he woke back up. He was sent by Iran by the way. Thought you would like to know. But mostly I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. How did you know?"
"I really don't know. I get these feelings, intuitions, whatever and have learned to pay attention and act on them. I am just glad that this worked out to your benefit and that no one else was hurt. Would you mind if Barana and a pair of my people do an interrogation of this turkey. I think we might be more effective than you can imagine. We will share everything. Also understand, you do not owe me any special favors, just keep doing what you are doing. That is all I ask."
The President grinned and said, "I will arrange that interrogation immediately."
Chapter 22: Space Inc.
Station 1 in Earth Orbit –
November13 – C Day 75
The meeting had the same countries represented as the previous meeting including Korea and Iran. Fador started off with a very short welcome speech, noted that the entire meeting was being broadcast to everyone in the same manner as the previous meeting and turned over the meeting to Hank. Hank said, "we have two matters to take up before we get into the reasons for this meeting. The first is that yesterday, an attempt was made on the life of President Johnson. Fortunately, he was protected. The assassin was apprehended and interrogated. The man broke down under questioning. Here is what he had to say." A video recording of the interrogation was replayed. Following which Hank said, "This is a pretty serious condemnation of the State of Iran. Does the leader have anything to say to the allegations made by its agent? We on the station have resources you cannot begin to imagine. We have already proved to our satisfaction that the statements made by the assassin are in fact true. This is the second time in as many weeks that this state has attempted to export its brand of terrorism. Any decisions made here today will be made without your presence but we will reserve for your people the ability to participate if they ever come to their senses. All this evidence will be given to the world court for their consideration. The representatives from Iran will now be delivered to the same place we return all of your terrorists. You have been tagged and will not again be able to return to this station. Oh and as a point of interest, the body bomb your assistant is wearing was rendered inoperative on coming to the station. It will be reactivated ten seconds after your return to your capital. People of Iran, if you are at or near the point where terrorists are returned, I would recommend that you might wish to vacate that location now. Barana, give the people twenty seconds to clear out then give these dirt-bags the royal heave ho."
