I obviously do not own Alpha Centauri.

Peaceful Revolutions

A fanfiction by Joshua Kenni

Zakharov stood from his seat and walked across the room, pointing at a floating light.

"That one, Shila. Why isn't that star named?"

Shila stretched herself in her seat. "I don't know, Prokhor. What's your theory?"

"I don't have one. I want to know what you think."

"Don't we have more important things to do today?"

"Humor me."

The girl shrugged. "Maybe they passed over it."

Zakharov spun around. "Scientists don't 'pass over' anything. It's a star, and it's on the books, but it's not named. I want to know…" He turned back to the light and held it in his hands. "…why?"

Shila stood and walked to him. "You want to go there someday, don't you?"

Zakharov didn't turn around. "We've come this far from Earth. Why would we stay on just one planet, like our ancestors did? Humans are born explorers…we should probe the sky in search of new horizons."

Shila rubbed his shoulders. "Someday, Prokhor. But for now, we need to get ready. This is an important day for us, remember?"

He squirmed out from her grasp. That kind of close grasp made him uncomfortable at stressful times.

"Cut it out," he said, smiling. He walked back to his chair and pushed a few buttons. The sparkling lights around them faded, and the room lights slowly turned back on. "Shila, I could spend all day in this lab, studying astronomy, exploring the stars."

The girl smiled. "Come on, Prokhor, we'll have time later to talk about some more inane theories."

"I thought that was a valid question…" he said, his voice trailing as he walked out the door.

Zakharov walked into his operations room, waving away those who stood at his presence. He didn't need respect right now, he needed information.

A young cadet stood up. "Sir, Lady Deirdre and Chairman Yang both request to speak with you as soon as possible."

Zakharovshook his head absently."They can wait. Give me a base report."

The cadet returned to his screen and rattled off the information it spit out.

"Mandelev College is ignoring our attempts to contact them and have turned off their internal sensors, but Bibliotyek Science has accepted our diplomat and have begun negotiations. All other bases are connected and loyal to the University, sir."

Zakharov sighed. "Thank you. I'll be in my study."

He walked through the door and activated the lock. At that moment, Shila appeared behind him.

"You take too long to get some 'alone time', Prokhor."

He looked at her. She looked quite good, for a hologram. She was a little less then a foot shorter then him and wore brightly colored clothing. Very attractive body and face. On all accounts, she looked like a normal human girl.

"You're the one who wants me to be alone when I talk to you, Shila. If you'd just expose yourself to them…"

She responded with a laugh. "And have them put me to work with the drones? Oh, no, Prokhor. I'm much happier following you around and spending my days exploring the Datalinks.

Zakharov shrugged. "Excuse me, dear, I have to entertain some faction leaders."

She frowned. "…Okay…but I'll be waiting, so don't be too long!" After those words, she faded from sight.

Zakharov sat down at his desk and rubbed his forehead. Pushy faction leaders, rebellious bases, and a dependent, love-crazed hologram. What a life, he thought, as he pushed Deirdre's comm. number into his computer. A second later, the Gaian leader's face appeared on the screen.

"Good day, Deirdre, how goes it?"

She ignored the question and skipped the greeting. "Your forces have been spotted mobilizing near Silvering Point, did you think we wouldn't notice?"

Zakharov blinked. "I don't understand." He pushed a couple of buttons on his side computer, and a spy unit sent him a report of the area. "…I've had one recon rover pass within a mile of your territory over the last year, Deirdre. That hardly constitutes "mobilized forces."

Deirdre continued on, unfazed. "Our treaty of friendship is a two-way street, Zakharov. You keep your forces away from my borders, I'll keep mine away from yours."

Zakharov was silent. He didn't bring up how three Gaian scout units were spotted within his own territory several times within the last three months.

"Anything else, Deirdre?"

"Yes…your faction has been considered dangerous according to the U.N. charter. However, I'll overlook it if you disclose your information on Advanced Military Algorithms."

Zakharov hesitated. "…Do your own research, Deirdre."

The girl growled at him. "In time, Provost, you'll come to regret your arrogance."

Zakharov shrugged. "I am but a simple scientist, Lady. I hold no qualms to you or your faction."

Deirdre cooled a little at that. "We shall see, Zakharov. Forgive me, but I must go." The comm. link went dead.

Zakharov began typing the comm. link to Yang, but his monitor was picking up an incoming signal from him before he finished typing.

"Zakharov! How goes it?"

"Decently, Yang. Yourself?"

"Not so bad, Provost. I hope things go well for you."

"You too. What can I do for you?"

"Well…I've noticed that Deirdre has been a thorn in your side for about the last twenty years or so. The other faction leaders and I have noticed an increasing number of bases being built near your territory. She will soon be a terrible threat to you. However, I have an army of troops to the north of Gaia's landing. If you assist me by attacking her from the south, then Deirdre will no longer be a threat to either of us.

Zakharov sighed. "I told you, Yang, I'm no soldier, and neither are my people. We are explorers, scientists, and astronomers. Not fighters."

Yang shrugged. "Never hurts to ask. I have a request for you."

"Go ahead."

"Might I borrow fifty credits from your reserves? I'll pay you five credits a year for the next fifteen."

Zakharov smiled. "Of course, Yang. I'll transfer it to you after the council meeting."

Yang smiled. "Thank you, friend. I must go, I shall see you at the meeting."

"You as well, Yang." He closed the signal and slowly stood from his seat. Pushy faction leaders…at least there are some willing to help me. He sat down on his cot, thinking, until tiredness overtook him and he leaned back against the cushion. A little nap never hurt…