Belinea Read online

  Malovex was annoyed. Bird knew little. Malovex said, “Miss Devanoe?”

  Alexis was relieved to speak about something she did know. “The Emmetts Rule, passed in 17235 BD, states that the Belinean Rosash Guraan, the BRG, or loosely translated as Sacred Guard in old tongue Belinean, will be responsible for the primary security of all Ambassador’s represented in the Council. Transportation and additional security for all Council sessions will be supported in conjunction with the Aultali Chlorifa, the peacekeeping military for all the planets in the Council. Ambassadors will be permitted to have their own private detail or Guard, as security for traveling within their planet and subsequent starbases. This does not permit any planet to secure their own military, or replace the duties of the Aultali Chlorifa.”

  Bird said, “Which is the AuFa for short?”

  Malovex spoke plainly. “Precisely. The rule allows you to have your own Delegate & Ambassador Guard. This is to encourage each representative in the Council to have local security on the planet that falls out of the jurisdiction and resources of the AuFa and BRG.”

  The tone had now changed. Ambassador Bird first looked at Alexis, then back at Malovex. “ I would not say that expanding our Delegate Ambassador Guard to help fight terrorists is forming a military.”

  Malovex asked, “You believe your Delegate Ambassador Guard can handle fighting terrorists?”

  Bird continued. “I believe Director Kimakawa has done a fine job with the DAG. Going back to my days as a Delegate, I can assure you the DAG has provided a security level that is as good, if not better, than the BRG. Perhaps you could learn something from them?”

  Malovex took a few steps. He then looked directly at the screen the Ambassador had been on giving his speech just prior. He said, “I doubt it. Please play Malovex file one.”

  The screen showed clips of horrific Terrorist attacks. With subtitles underneath, it listed the destruction. The attack on Starbase 12, the transport ship Circas, carrying 86 people, all perished. Then the transport ship Issinery with the Wisterian Ambassador Luliet and 28 crew all died after a bomb exploded approaching this base.

  As the clips popped up on the screen, Malovex continued, “This has all happened over the last 24 months. Two hundred and forty-one deaths, hundreds more wounded. Our new intelligence suggests the attacks were led by a Terrorist named Taz. He may be working with an Avolian terrorist cell group called the Valmay.”

  Ambassador Bird saw the images. “What is your point, Lord Malovex?”

  Malovex now looked directly at Bird. His voice increased in volume to make sure the message was heard. “You have confidence your DAG can handle these terrorists?”

  Ambassador Bird was put on the spot. “As articulated in my speech, which will be echoed in front of The Council, I believe we can work together, the DAG with the BRG and AuFa, in a way to protect everyone better.”

  Malovex was not amused. “Chairman Hassara and I, want to be clear that any expansion of your Delegate Ambassador Guard is a direct violation of the Emmett’s rule. The Council will advise accordingly. Your resources can be put to far greater use by helping the AuFa and BRG then wasting your time with your own DAG.”

  The tension in the room became evident. The Ambassador looked directly at Malovex, clearly not scared of him. “And I see it differently, Lord Malovex.”

  Malovex looked directly back. “Pity…..”

  Alexis now identified the tension in the room might get out of hand and decided to end the conversation prematurely. “Lord Malovex, the Ambassador, has a couple of meetings that he is now late to, so forgive us if we must cut this short.”

  The Ambassador said nothing, nor did Malovex. After a few seconds of staring at each other, Malovex turned to Alexis and said, “Of course, Miss Devanoe, you are correct. I also have a meeting with Director Kimakawa about your security detail for your passage to Belinea. Ambassador, I also bring you a personal message from Ambassador Yi. As you know, he is already on Belinea for the Council meeting.”

  Malovex reached into his cloak and took out a rolled piece of parchment inside a sealed tube. Ambassador Bird took the tube from Malovex’s hand, not knowing what to say. He was curious to know if Malovex had read the note.

  Malovex put the hood back over his head and began walking out. Before getting to the door, Malovex turned and looked at Bird and Alexis. “And no Ambassador, I did not read the message. Your world gets a lot better when you start figuring out who you can and cannot trust.”

  Once he left, Alexis turned to Bird, whispering, “Ambassador, you cannot say those things to him. He is one of the most powerful men in this galaxy.”

  Ambassador Bird said, “Relax Alexis, his primary job is to protect me.”

  Alexis Devanoe replied, “No, it isn’t. His title may be the head of the BRG, but Ambassador protection is his second job.”

  Ambassador Bird looked almost puzzled. “What’s his first?”

  Alexis Devanoe softly said, “Same as mine Ambassador. Protecting his family.”

  The two look at each other for a moment before the Ambassador puts his thumb on the spot on the tube. Once the tube recognized that it was Ambassador Bird, it opened. Bird took the parchment out and quickly read the handwritten note. He then turned to Alexis and softly said, “Get me, Director Kimikawa.”

  Belinea 1.3

  Earth - Northeastern Japan

  In blizzard conditions, the small transport ship navigated Earth’s atmosphere towards the surface. Through very thick clouds and turbulent winds, it raced towards a small base located in a desolate mountainside between two ridges. The ship touched down on a landing pad with minimal white landing lights. Two men got off and walked towards a small building off to the side. Dressed in military jackets that were not quite good enough for the conditions, one man took his hand out and placed it on the scanner beside the door. The door opened, and both men walked inside, towards the elevator. As the men came off the elevator, they began to take their hats and goggles off.

  Commander Avery Jones, a tall, African American, with a bald head and a muscular frame, and Commander Nolan Willits, a caucasian, also with a bald head but slightly shorter, piercing green eyes, and a salt-n-pepper stubble beard, walked in. Willits turned to Jones and said, “I forgot how cold it is here.”

  Both begin walking down a series of corridors. Jones sarcastically responds, “Thank you for the weather alert, I couldn’t tell.”

  Each man had a look of displeasure on their face as if getting called into the principal’s office for doing something terrible. Jones looked down on Willits, “You sure you don’t know what this is about?”

  Willits, sounding annoyed, replied, “Same answer the first two times you asked, no. I am just as curious as you.”

  Jones shook his head. “We’re being punished for something.”

  Willits questioned. “For what?”

  Jones continued, “Maybe for not reaching the Avolians?”

  Willits answered, “He knows that takes time.”

  Jones countered, “Maybe he thinks he can find someone better than us?”

  Willits smirked and said, “Don’t be stupid.”

  The two men turned down a few more hallways, then left, then right again. The halls had steel metal grate floors, with dirt and rock underneath. It was as if the corridors were well-lit caves in a mountainside. They turned and pressed a hand on to a secure spot on the wall. The entrance of the elevator doors opened, and the two men walked in. The elevator took them down further into the mountain. When they got out, they walked down another corridor, placing another hand on the wall, to pass another secured entrance. This one had security men guarding the doors. Finally, they walked into an office where a robot greeted them.

  The Robot said, “Commander Willits, Commander Jones, Director Kimakawa is expecting you.”

  The two men walked by the robot and into y
et another set of massive steel doors that opened automatically. As they walked in, Director Kimakawa, a bald fifty-something Japanese man with a thin black goatee, sat behind a stainless steel desk. A flat computer monitor laid on the top of the desk, along with a few trinkets: a small model spaceship, a picture of him with Ambassador Yi, a few books. There was also a picture frame with a quote from Sun Tzu “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

  A second man, Vice Director Franklin Meyers, was off to the side in full uniform. He was standing in front of Kimakawa’s library wall that also held his Edo period Samurai Sword. Jones and Willits stopped four feet in front of the desk, stood at full attention, and saluted. Director Kimakawa spoke without looking up. “At ease, gentlemen. I am sure you are wondering why I have summoned you from your assignment on Gitaris?”

  Willits was in a mood. He said, “I am going to assume it’s not to talk about Sun Tzu?”

  Franklin Meyers, now uncrossing his arms, scowls angrily at Willits. A protocol had been broken. “Watch your tone with the Director, Commander.”

  Director Kimakawa, however, never seemed bothered and proceeded. A man of quiet but sure confidence, he knew who was in charge of the room and conducted this meeting accordingly. “A fan of Sun Tzu Commander Willits?”

  Willits glanced down at Kimakawa and responded with a Sun Tzu quote, “All warfare is based on deception.”

  Director Kimakawa nodded slightly and said, “One of my favorites. I also like Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory…”

  Willits continued for him “...Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”

  Kimakawa now stood. “I would love to talk Sun Tzu strategy all day, but that is not why I pulled you off of Gitaris.”

  He walked over and poured himself a scotch while continuing to speak. “First and foremost, our DAG is a security unit. Nothing can compromise our primary objective. As you may have heard, Ambassador Bird has been giving many speeches defending our existence. He plans to provide a policy changing speech in front of the Council at the next session, and we will assist him accordingly.“

  Willits seemed more relaxed now. For once, they were not in trouble. “Of Course, sir. I am just confused about how Commander Jones and myself can help?”

  Director Kimakawa now half-smiled, which is something he never did. “You will lead Ambassador Bird’s security detail to Belinea. Ambassador Bird wanted the best and most experienced I had.”

  Jones was now confused as well. “Sir, with all due respect, Commander Willits and I have not led a security detail in over five years.”

  Franklin Meyers, still standing off to the side, was getting tired of Willits’ continued lack of respect. He said, “Are you disobeying a direct order from the Director?”

  Director Kimakawa waved his hand. “Meyers, enough. I understand it has been some time since your last security detail. But this is important to me, and I want someone I can trust.”

  Willits did not care about pissing off Meyers. They had never been friends. But the timing was not adding up. “Thank you for your confidence, Director. However, it will take my team some time to get here, which will delay the Ambassador’s departure. I fear he may not get to Belinea on time.”

  Kimakawa gave Willits an enlightened look. He continued, “Correct Commander Willits. Which is why Vice Director Meyers and myself have recruited a first-class team in its place.”

  Commander Willits looked at Meyers, then at Director Kimakawa. “Permission to speak, Director?”

  Director Kimakawa nodded as if to say yes silently.

  It was still not adding up to Willits. “We prefer working with someone we trust. The faith you have in us is equal to that of our own team, which is just as qualified.”

  Meyers interrupted. “Well, Commander Willits, that is the thing. They are not qualified.”

  Willits was taken aback. “Excuse me?”

  Vice Director Meyers began to explain. “The BRG has issued a new transport ship, the C-62T, for all Ambassador interstellar transport. It’s a faster version of the C-58T, and Earth has only been commissioned two. However, it requires a BRG certification to fly it.”

  Willits had just been blind-sided. He said, “Sir, again, with respect, a pilot is a pilot. Lieutenant Rix or Lieutenant Mollanari, the pilots on my team, could learn to fly it in no time.”

  Meyers was almost gloating. There was no love lost between them. He continued, “The BRG Certification requires 25-plus hours flight time in the C-62T or certified simulator. We have already begun to certify all of our transport pilots in the last four months, including the flight school graduates at Odgins. As you know, I sent you a request three months ago to get Lieutenants Rix and Molinari certified, but you said they have been too busy on assignment to do so.”

  Willits was staring at Meyers. This was a bullshit technicality. But why? It almost seemed like personal retribution. Before Willits could make it worse, Commander Jones decided to break the tension. “ When do we leave, sir?”

  Meyers answered for him. “You are scheduled to leave tomorrow, 16:00 hours. The detail team and the Ambassador will be waiting for you at SPE gate 5. You have been given TS-5 security access for this mission, so anything further you need is available at your disposal. There is a briefing memo if your quarters regarding flight details to Belinea should take eight days.”

  Director Kimakawa was not about to answer any more questions. This meeting was done in his mind. He said, “Do not let me down, gentlemen. Ambassador Bird wanted the best, and that is what I am giving him. Dismissed.”

  Commander Jones and Willits saluted and walked out. As they began walking down the corridor, Jones whispered to Willits, “Told you, we were being punished.”

  They boarded the elevator going up, as Willits answered, “This is complete bullshit. Pulling us off Gitaris for this?”

  As the elevator continued up, Jones added, “And, not using our team?”

  Commander Willits was still hot and confused. “Meyers fucked us on that one.”

  Jones responded, “Thank you for not punching him and making it worse.”

  Willits said, “I am tempted just to fly the damn thing ourselves.”

  Jones responded, “Yeah, but you heard the Director. They have to be certified pilots, or the Dock Master won’t even let us get off the slip.”

  Willits was shaking his head as they got off the elevator. They practically bumped into Lord Malovex, who was entering the elevator. They all stared at one another. Willits and Jones almost froze. They gently bowed their heads before getting out, “Lord Malovex.”

  Malovex said nothing. He stared at them briefly for a few seconds, before finally getting on the elevator. As the doors closed, Jones and Willits looked at each other in disbelief.

  Jones first commented. “What the hell is he doing here?”

  Willits was lost now. “This is getting crazier by the minute. I do know one thing.”

  Jones and Willits began walking away from the elevator. Jones answered, “What’s that?”

  Willits responded. “I don’t trust anyone at this point. Just because we can’t use our team, doesn’t mean I am taking the team Meyers gives us.”

  Jones was confused and asked, “Where are you gonna find two qualified pilots?”

  Willits, half sarcastic, half still fuming, said, “You heard Meyers. We’re going to Odgins.”

  Belinea 1.4

  The Moon, Earth

  Odgins Military Academy

  Commanders Willits and Jones walked off a transport ship in full gear. The enclosed helmets secured the oxygen necessary to breathe on the moon. It was an extremely dark place, with only artificial lights that lit up the landing pads that allowed people to navigate walking around. Willits and Jones walked to the corner of the base. Sliding doors were encas
ed into the side of a small rock mountain, with a faint dark sky and rays of orange behind it. Willits put his hand on the scanner next to the door, and it immediately opened. As they entered, they walked through the second set of doors before removing their helmets. A quick unzipping of the gear, they left the space uniforms on racks that harbored a couple of dozen suits in the room. They then entered another set of sliding doors to a place with about fifty people, all scurrying around with seemingly essential tasks to do. Many control panels, lights, desks, maps, and operations boards, it was clear this was the main operations room at the Academy.

  Willits and Jones walked to the first long counter and looked to a Corporal behind the desk. She stood and gave a slight salute before saying, “Commander, how can I help you?”

  Willits figured intimidation would be his best tactic. “Commander Willits for Master Sergeant Evans.”

  The Corporal, however, was an experienced gatekeeper. “Do you have an appointment, Commander Willits?”

  Willits doubled down on the intimidation card “Corporal, I am a Commander. Go find the Master Sergeant for me.”

  The Corporal was not going to play this game. “Sir ....”

  Master Sergeant Evans, a short, female African-American, immediately popped her head from behind the counter and got up. Walking up to the desk, she annoyingly said, “Are you going to talk to my Corporal like that? What if I was in a meeting? Teaching a class?”

  Willits answered, “But clearly, you are not….”

  Evans walked out from behind the desk. She said to the Corporal. “Forgive the Commander’s, Corporal. They skipped the class on civility when they were here.”

  Jones said, “Nice to see you too, Master Sergeant.”

  Evans asked as she continued walking, “Don’t add to the hostility Jones. Why are you here? Your transport breakdown?”

  Willits and Jones followed her down a low lit hall, clearly cut out of rock and soil, with metal grates on the floor. Jones tried to keep up and spoke, “We are on vacation and decided to stop by.”