Plans
Two years had passed by since Zhang's sacrifice. Two years since Xcom had driven off the alien invaders, and two years of training and drilling for the next attack. Yet in those two years, nothing had passed. No reprisals for the destruction of the temple mothership, and no further alien incursions.
The council seemed to believe that the Ethereals had had enough. Rumors circulated that the grand councilor had been changed. Who it was, or if that was even true was not up to Matthews, nor did he care. The sudden arrival of peace was a welcome respite, and he took the opportunity to expand Xcom's influence. Most people in the world now knew about Xcom and what they had done, but not that they were based in Africa.
Another thing different was the fact that the organization had grown exponentially. The army had tripled in size ranging from the best scoring recruits from basic training to ex-special forces. The science and development teams had also enlarged themselves and new and better equipment was begin cranked out of the foundry and labs faster than ever.
One thing that had been heavily criticized was the introduction of the families. The people of Xcom had missed their families and many had wanted them closer so they didn't need to leave should an alert. The council had protested vehemently, but Matthews argued his soldiers would work better if they had their families close at hand, and they wouldn't need to worry about terror attacks or abductions. Many Xcom personnel had lost families during the war. As a result, the populations was well over 1500.
Doctor Vahlen had promised to be able to replicate Meld and elerium and was better than her word. Not only had she made a breakthrough but she had found other uses for them as well. One was fertilizer. Crops could grow year round, mature faster and were healthier than ever. The elerium was now powering all systems inside Xcom. It was safer than nuclear power and rarely needed replacing.
Shen had worked with her on that and had managed the result of a potent new power system that not only provided more power to the base and under ground neighborhood, but had also became autonomous from the council. Combined with automated mass production, the old weapons Xcom used before the advent of laser and plasma weapons, and armor was now being produced round the clock. This had also lead to 20 more Firestorms, five for the base itself, ten for the hangers around the world, and five always circling the globe.
Unknown to them, Xcom had also launched a new long range telescope that would allow them to track anything heading to Earth, be it aliens or debris. As well as deploying the Aegis dish to the Moon's north pole. This gave them a radius of warning as far out as the moons of Mars. Also unknown was that a satellite had been launched carrying Vahlen's terraforming Meld to Mars in the hopes that in a few years it would be habitable for colonization.
Matthews was however growing concerned over their rapidly building independence. He knew the council was growing more and more paranoid, especially since all the laser weapons had stopped working. A built-in shelf life that Shen had devised. Xcom was always leery about handing out the weapons to council nations, especially given mankind's history. The council was also wary of the relationship between Xcom and UNSC general Peter van Dorn among others.
Van Dorn had been an excellent business partner. He had provided money, recruits and influence. He helped to raise awareness to the alien threats to the UN and it was rumored steps were to be taken to help warn Earth of another invasion, though the organization had beaten them to it. Xcom actually now had a presence on the Security Council in all things concerning threats from outside the atmosphere. This relationship had been set in stone as during one of the missions, Xcom soldiers had saved his son, and the relationship had become permanent. Besides, Matthews trusted van Dorn. He was a good soldier and a solid leader.
Another was Eduard Azuka, a high ranking and influential member of the Nigerian military. Many of Xcom's recruits came from his personnel and like van Dorn had recognized that the alien incursions were far more important than any racial or political agendas. He was one of the first line of defenses Xcom had.
With each achievement, Xcom grew further and further from it's council handlers. Soon it would no longer need to rely on them, and Matthews was afraid of this.
"Something on your mind, commander?" He turned to see Vahlen said and that caused Matthews to smile.
"Not at all, doc. Something you needed?"
"Yes. Doctor Shen and I have improved our aircraft so they can safely leave our atmosphere. Namely the Firestorms."
"Great! Now if we detect them we can engage them before they land to wreck havoc again. Well done, Liesl." He said, fighting the urge to kiss her. "How about our other aircraft?" She smiled and motioned for him to follow her.
This was were it was getting dangerous for the project. The two barges, and the battleship had been remodeled to carry human forces and cargo, and there was the other craft Shen had been working on. Matthews had issued the order for the construction of Earth's first ever spaceborne Aircraft Carrier. This monster was over a mile long, and could house five Skyrangers, and twenty Firestorms. Her Mega-particle cannon had the power 1000 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb and it was not a topic of discussion of what would happen if this weapon had ever been turned on a planet.
It had taken two years, but thanks to the miracle of automation, dozens of captured alien drones and the doctors' combined staff, the Earth Defense Space Ship or E.D.S.S Titan was half finished.
As he watched the hundreds of engineers and drones work, places were sparks were flying from plasma welders in the dozens across the ship, he couldn't help but be impressed by mankind's ingenuity.
"Liesl, I gotta hand it to you. If you hadn't gotten us this, we wouldn't be able to fight the enemy on their own field." He said. "I just wish the goddamn council could understand that. That I want to keep this war as far from Earth as possible."
"They'll understand." Liesl said. "They have to. Too many lives have been destroyed because of this to not understand."
Matthews nodded. "Well. If it's all the same. I think you and I will have a talk with Shen and Bradford later." He said and tipped his hat to her and began walking away.
"And what will that conversation entail commander?" Liesl asked.
Matthews smiled as he turned back to face her. "A wild ride."
Shen was ecstatic and shocked at the same time while Bradford had approved, and Liesl was overjoyed. They had listened to Matthews' proposal and when he was finished, he motioned for to them for input.
"Well sir, while I would wholeheartedly agree to this in a hurry, and my judgment is you are correct in this," Shen began and Matthews smiled. "But that type of an undertaking is monumental, if not historical and will surely attract attention. From the council if not the whole world."
"I'm with Shen on this, Joseph." Bradford said as Matthews had insisted on keep this informal, which was something he did not like, being a career military man. "Though such operation would be clemently to Earth in the long run, it won't go unnoticed, and will divide Xcom when we really don't need to be."
Matthews nodded. "Well gentlemen, I would much rather prefer we finish Titan but I don't want it being built on Earth. I would rather it was finished on Mars." He said grinning.
The operation was to send the two barges, renamed Toolbox and Empire and heavily modified for human use, to transport the half completed Titan to Mars' northern pole where, according to Vahlen, the most of the breathable air was. In any event, the barges would also carry habitats, gardens, half engineers, all Xcom scientists and half the guard garrison from the Xcom Central African Republic HQ. Others that were going along were five of the MEC division which had gone from just two to twenty since colonel Hangana, and captain Nathan Timmermans, Hunter, Belgium, had volunteered, as well as the ten members of Delta squad under Colonel Santiago Sanchez.
"Exactly how are we to cover this thing up when the council will immediately get wind of it?" Shen asked and saw the commander smiling.
"Well, I'll lay it along the council and to the UN that we plan on launching E.D.S.S Roberts," One of the first soldiers killed fighting the aliens just before the Xcom project was activated. "And we will launch four ships."
"My god. Thats..." Shen said in astonishment.
"That's brilliant." Liesl finished for him. "While the whole world is watching Roberts lift off..."
"We'll lift off Toolbox and Empire with Titan tethered to both." Bradford finished for her. "Better. We can use Roberts as a shield for them as they circumnavigate the globe to prevent anyone from spotting her on radar. Though we still might have to worry about any of the long range telescopes."
"We'll deal with that fire when it catches." Matthews said. "For now, let's get every ship going ready. Shen, work on Titan as long as possible. If we're lucky, it'll be next summer by the time she's finished." Shen solemnly nodded. "Liesl, I want you to work on a way of long-distance communication. I don't want to have to wait an hour for a message to come and go."
"I think the alien's technology can help with that." She said smiling smugly.
"John. Go through our forces and try to find volunteers, I don't want to order anyone to go on this." Bradford nodded. "And if at possible, I want you up there." Matthews knew how much his executive officer would argue on this, and he really did not want to send him anyway, but he needed someone with a level head.
"With all due respect, sir," he added with emphasis. "My place is here at your side. Though I can recommend one of our colonels. Perhaps Hangana or Jackson?" Bradford said, and by his tone would not be persuaded. Matthews nodded, he had grown used to this type of insubordination, where they wanted to stay where the storm was brewing, even against orders.
"Alright John." Matthews said and then turned his attention back to Shen. "How goes it with our newest single seat?"
"The Icarus? We're nearly ready." The Icarus had been Liesl's idea, to take and modify a Firestorm for long distance spaceflight. Such as sealing and pressurizing the cabin, protecting the pilot and equipment from the hazards of space and packing non-perishable foods. The engines had been heavily modified as well. Not only would it not need to be fueled for several weeks, but it would also propel the craft at appalling speeds. Shen calculated that if the Icarus traveled from New York to Tokyo traveling east, the pilot would reach his destination in 15 minutes, which was faster than an ICBM and twice the distance.
With those speeds, the pilot would reach Mars from Earth in only a few weeks. The plan was to have the pilot perform all his basic needs from his chair be it sleep, eat, and toiletries, while he was monitored from Mission Control.
"I believe we should be finished by the end of the week. Our only concern is finding a pilot." Matthews smiled at that.
"Don't worry good doctor." He said as he pulled a dossier out of his desk. "I believe I have one."
Alex Cody sat a little unsteadily after his long flight. He was both jetlagged and exhausted on general principle having volunteered from what was called 'round 'a' bout', or the global patrol. Firestorm pilots in this shift had to fly around the whole world several times for an entire day before landing at the closest base for R&R.
He had landed in Germany just outside of Munich and had barely changed into civilian clothes when he was suddenly ordered onto a flight. While he wasn't flying, he was suddenly awake because of the destination: CAR. Xcom Headquarters.
After reaching Xcom HQ, the combined 36 hours of flight had almost floored him. He was ushered into the Commander's office.
Alex had met Matthews only once, when had congratulated him on Xcom's first shoot down of a UFO. That was in the first month of the war when Alex had been flying the Raven Interceptors, back before he had transferred to Eurasia base, been issued the Firestorm and Matthews had both his arms.
Also in the room was lieutenant commander Bradford, head scientist doctor Vahlen and head engineer doctor Shen. Alex straightened himself as best he could and snapped to attention. "At ease. Take a seat lieutenant." Matthews said as both men sat down.
Alex sighed as he scratched his head underneath a thick mop of charcoal black hair and those faded blue eyes looked heavy. "Cody, Alex. Lieutenant in Xcom air-forces, captain in USAFW, 27 years of age, 1700 hours of flight time in Xcom, 357 for USAF, been involved in 32 confirmed shoot downs, 18 possibles, and survived 3 separate crashes." Liesl said as she looked through his dossier. "Well lieutenant, you have quite an impressive service record."
"I think calling a Quintuple Ace and Xcom's best pilot 'impressive' is a mild understatement." Bradford quipped. Alex blushed under the praise and lowered his head slightly to hide it.
Clearing his throat Alex then said. "Sirs, ma'am? Permission to speak freely?" Matthews nodded and Alex groaned as he popped his neck twice. "With all due respect to everyone here. I have been on a plane longer than any person should be, I haven't eaten since last night or showered and I'm wearing clothes that are a week old. I'm tired and short on patience and temper and would like for us to get straight to the point and just tell me why I'm here. Am I in trouble?"
Matthews snorted amusingly. "Well, since you want me to get straight to the point, I will." He said and stood up. "And no. You're not in any trouble." He said as he walked over to a case that contained alcohol. "In fact, I have an important job for you, lieutenant Cody." He pulled out three glasses expertly with one hand and three more before pulling out a what looked like 12 year old scotch. "I want you to be part of two flights. One is a shakedown run for a new prototype for the Firestorm."
Alex nodded, only half listening and half fighting off sleep. He knew elite pilots were often chosen for shakedowns for new planes as their experience and judgment were quintessential for corrections and improvements that would be needed. Shakedown runs were also what killed many pilots.
What Matthews had said next woke Alex in an instant. "After that, I want you in the best shape of your life, because son," He said and handed Alex a double, "You will be the first human being to cross the void to the planet Mars." Alex nearly dropped the glass and looked at Matthews with open astonishment, his eyes wide and mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"Unless you don't believe you don't have the guts to stand up to the challenge, Alex?" Matthews asked grinning. Alex gasped and looked down in thought. This was stepping into the podium with Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. To be counted among pioneers like Christopher Columbus and the Wright brothers.
Though that would also destroy his career. Since Xcom was public now, if the world found out he was the first man to go to Mars, he would never be able to step foot near a plane again without being hounded by the press. So he mentally shrugged at that.
Alex set his glass down on Matthew's desk and stood up, his 5'7" being shadowed by the Commander's 6'1" but he stared intently into those eyes.
"Commander. You get me into that cockpit, promise me that my name will never be told to the world until I die," He said and sighed. "And I'll show you I, beyond a doubt, have the guts."
Matthews regarded him for a few moments before nodding in seriousness. "Alright. Now get yourself some sleep, then a big breakfast and a pot of coffee. You're gonna need all three before this is over."
"Yes sir." Alex said as he stepped back from Matthews and saluted him sharply. Matthews returned the salute and dismissed Cody.
"A good pilot without boasting it and modest as well." Shen said sounding impressed. "It's a shame there aren't more of him."
"Alright. Liesl, get to work on finding the best regimens for him and get him in peak condition." She nodded and began making notes. "Shen. I want the Icarus to be as safe as possible. It won't do to have him get killed on the shakedown run."
"What about the council? They'll find out about the test when we perform it." Bradford pointed out the white elephant in the room.
"No they won't." Matthews said as he got up and began making himself look presentable with Rebecca's help after he had summoned her. "Because I'm gonna tell them about it. I'll give them half the truth and say it's a faster quick response interceptor for our fleet and that this is it's shakedown run." He said.
"Have fun." Bradford said dryly.
Another target was vaporized in the massive range of Xcom's training area. Colone Fang Yin Fong, Omega, China, cocked back her plasma sniper rifle and began making minute adjustments to three dimensional scope that sat atop the rifle.
A sniper by trade, Fong had another skill that Matthews exploited heavily when during the war; subterfuge. Omega had been the one to infiltrate EXALT facilities and even found their main HQ in Volgograd, Russia, but had not participated as she had been wounded on the mission that determined it's whereabouts.
She also did not participated in many of the other missions that followed as the commander said she had 'had enough.' At first Fong hated him for that, but because she had been left on the sidelines, she had been able to participate in the battle that had her defending Xcom itself from the invaders, personally killing 7. She had been wounded in that fight, but she had earned the Council Medal of Honor for it, and because she had been the first to find the commander badly wounded and brought him to Vahlen and Doc Sophie.
She had also learned the tragic news of fellow Chinese soldier Zhang from sniper Jackson. Though she mourned him like the rest of Xcom, she was inwardly glad he had done what he had did.
Now, Fong had trained and drilled with the rest of Xcom in the intervening years since then. It was frustrating that nothing was happening. She was glad the war was over, but not at the stagnancy that was gripping all Xcom soldiers. Sure the scientists and engineers were always busy, but the troops were sitting on their laurels. There was only about 20 soldiers in all of Xcom, out of 300 that had seen any action and therefore these twenty were the cream of the army. Everyone else had never fired their weapons in anger. There was also about an additional 200 Xcom security personnel that varied from guards to SRT.
Fang had never really liked sitting on the sidelines or being a sniper, that was just because she was good at it. What she really liked was the idea of being in those Firestorms. The idea of flying had always appealed to her but her application to the PLAAF had been rejected out of hand because a misdemeanor in her youth. Still she would not have been denied military service, and had enlisted into the army. There she had been recruited to Xcom.
Her interest to fly had been piqued again by the latest arrival, who now slept in the barracks right now. Lieutenant Cody was his name and had been part of the Eurasian squadrons as well as the Global squads. She was also interested in the man, and when he woke planned on asking him about his profession. And after that conversation, planned on going to the commander to ask for a transfer.
She just wanted to have some practical and constant worth. This constant waiting was insufferable and all of the troops wanted some action.
