Enemies
"Moonbase Alpha status report, one hundred forty-three since first contact with Chandra, Dr. Helena Russell-Koenig recording. The Stragoth have made a total of three fly-bys over Moon base Alpha and while tensions have dropped that they will do anything, they have not vanished. Our new alliance with the Tollans has provided a modicum feeling of security with the Ion cannons they have provided, yet their reluctance to use them nearly counters what sense of safety their presence engenders. Since it has been three days since the last Stragoth fly-by Washington has sent up the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as a few Air Force officers to look over what defenses Moon base Alpha has available."
"I was assured that the air-to-space missile batteries sent up were more than up to the task without relying on the alien's less-than-available weaponry," Senator Robert Kinsey delcared to John during the staff meeting held as the Alphans presented their wish list to the visiting US Senator.
John had noted so far Senator Kinsey had yet to address anyone who was not a US citizen, like his latest reply to a request, it wasn't made to the requestor, one Tony Verdeschi, to whom the senator probably saw only as a Maggiore in the air force of Italy. John doubted the Senator even knew Tony's name as he had been less than inclined to look him, Alan or Paul in the eye during the entire meeting. Victor only gained a fleeting glance of a look because of his impressive academics, but John could see that the -British- Professor didn't hold high enough esteem to warrant much attention from the very US focused politician.
"Indeed they will be quite impressive with the Naquadah enhanced warheads that should soon be coming up," Lt. Col. Samuels said to the gathered in a far more polite tone than the Senator had used so far this morning. It was almost as if they were playing good cop, bad cop, except they both forgot they were playing cops at all.
"But they aren't here yet and even though its been a few days, the next flyby could be one where they start attacking instead of just getting a look at defenses that aren't really there," Tony said with rising heat, "I really think you should give the rail gun implacements another thought before dismissing them to inadaquate missile batteries."
"What we need is something of our own up there," Alan interjected...again, "The transport pod is just not going to do more than threaten them with ramming. Funding for the Eagle project will let us meet them up there and not have to hope what we have down on the moon will deter them from doing anything."
"That is what I am here to take a look at Group Captain," Lt. Gen. Vidrine said finally entering the discussion after patiently listening to Senator Kinsey's postering or so it sounded like in his opinion. Stephen Vidrine was here to see what was going on, not make sure everyone knew who ran things.
"But know this that the X-301 project has priority," Stephen felt Kinsey should have said to Carter and not to him, still this poaching on his territory had to be defended against, even if he thought it was a waste of time.
"I understand that Senator, and the 301 is our top priority, but if we can get a wholely Earth based and built spacecraft in production that will save time and resources in trying to snatch alien technology to make our planes fly." It was something the Senator had to know, should know, but did not seem to from what Stephen was hearing. Of course he might just be putting on a show for the non-US members of Moon base Alpha.
A General can have his private hopes, Stephen thought to himself and focused his attention to this meeting.
"We have come up with a design to convert six of the construction vehicles we have up here on Alpha to tanks, which should assist with the local aerospace defense and in case of any ground incursions on the moon itself," Paul was reporting holding the attention of Air Force visitors, Senator Kinsey likely heard but he wasn't even looking in the Brit's direction.
He did confirm he heard, though again he didn't look at Paul when he talked, he was looking at John, "Colonel we shouldn't waste time with what you can do with your own resouces. The committee doesn't care about that as it doesn't cost the taxpayer a single cent. In fact it is commendable that you can do that as much as possible and not besiege us with request of rail guns you aren't going to get or spacecraft that does not directly benefit the United States of America. Flying to other galaxies is all well and good..."
"But we can explore -our- solar system," Alan stood with his temper rising.
"Alan," John cautioned and the Australian slowly sank back into his seat. John likely knew what was on his friend's mind. Wondering if the Senator had even read his report of what an Eagle could do?
"How about the Professor's force field?" Paul asked incredulously, surely the concept of turning what was science fantasy into science fact with the modifications to the gravity towers that help provide the artificial gravity the Orbanians helped devised.
"Which doesn't work on a planetary surface," John was grateful the Senator was responding, now if only he'd look at someone other than him, Helena or one of the USAF officers.
"In a gravity well," Victor didn't think it wise to interject, but felt some semblance of accuracy should be presented. John knew he was quiet because he didn't like to 'fight city hall' as he put it more than once. Its why Alpha isn't run by the British government, or this Torchwood that he alluded to every now and then.
It's not that Alpha isn't run by some government, its that Victor didn't have to deal with it that made the current set up palatable to who many considered to be the father of Moonbase Alpha.
"And that's only for initial formation, in theory one might even take it close to a singularity and the gravity would react against it to strengthen it as a kind of..." Victor was slowly gaining steam with even the watered down presentation of his theory, and drawing just about everyone around the table to listen to him.
Just about everyone.
"Professor Bergman, I am sure that is all facinating theory and will no doubt work well to protect US interest up here on the moon, however it means that it can't be used anyone in America to defend it from enemies against it." At least Kinsey was facing in Victor's direction, though still not looking at Victor, just past him.
"Commander," Sandra's voice and image showed up on the communication's post to the right of the Command office's conference viewscreen set in the wall, "Supergate activity...it looks like another visit from the Stragoth."
Senator Kinsey stood up, nearly shooting out of his seat, "I think this concludes our meeting today gentlemen. Now if you'll show me to the Asgard room, I'll be on my way." Tony entertained brief thoughts of having Xat and Xzuk escort the Senator but he dismissed the notion as it would be wasted. Kinsey couldn't see either Re'tu and if he could he'd likely say something that might precipitate an incident and he didn't want to lose his two Re'tu security guards.
They certainly gave a new twist on the thought of invisible friends.
"Allyn, N'Dole, come escort the Senator and his party to the Asgard room, with Dr. Russell," Tony spoke into his comlock, joining the others as they followed John up the steps and through the parting walls to Main Mission. Sandra had the image of the bioship up on main monitor already, the image clear and crisp as the Keck III telescope tracked the Stragoth ship.
Helena rose gracefully, and didn't show any of the contempt she had for the politician as her eyes met his, "This way Senator, Lieutenant Colonel." John caught the later-for-you glance she gave him and inwardly sighed. He would have to pay for having foistered the 'good' Senator onto her, though his weak defense was they had agreed earlier to do this in the event of an emergency.
Tony did a double take as he noticed that while Lt. Col. Samuels was leaving with Senator Kinsey, General Vidrine appeared as if he was going to remain with them. He was walking out of the Command office in their wake though he stayed up on the top steps as everyone else decended to the consoles of Main Mission.
He did ignore the General as he looked to the right of the 'U' configuration of consoles, where the Tollan, Karyel sat and just watched the main screen not touching her console at all. "Will you at least activate your cannons?" he asked with exasperation.
"No need to threaten them," she said primly and Tony thought he heard the overtones of 'savage' in her reply. John had at least weened her from referring to others in that manner.
"Primitives," Patir snorted almost to himself, John's talk with the Tollans were not universally successful. Karyel was receptive, the men with her not so much.
"Just like a primate, wanting to wave a club around before you know if it could hurt you," Greku mused shaking his head with disapproval.
John could feel the General bristling behind him, but since he didn't say anything best not to bring it up. He didn't think the General would make an issue of it, they need the Tollans after all and he wasn't Kinsey, not a man who needed to postur to show his strength.
"Same vector as before, Kano?" John asked and David Kano nodded after consulting the supercomputer Selene.
"Missile batteries ready, John," Tony reported and wished he could say the same with the ion cannons, "Shall I deploy the tanks?" They had three converted, two excavators and one that was used for towing. It would let Tony have seven missible batteries avaiable, four stationary, three mobile. With a nod from John, Tony snatched up his comlock, "Sanderson, get the tanks rolling out."
Greg Sanderson wasn't in Security, few were, but he was the best with surface exploration. The big Scotsman will keep the construction and miner workers-cum-tank drivers safe out there. Greg was the kind of guy who could put most of what Tony called his Security force in the infimary if they got on the wrong side of the man. He was also one of Victor's most passionate defenders, easily ready to start (or finish) a fight over the slightest perceived slight against Victor.
Someone Tony was glad was not in on the recent staff meeting with the visiting US Senator.
"And Reilly...this isn't the American's Alamo, no shooting until I say so, clear?" Tony wanted to make sure that self-styled Irish cowboy of a geologist and miner wouldn't treat his tank as if they missles were six-guns. A simple speed dial on the comlock and he was talking to the right man at the right time.
"We might have something like tank..." came the distinctive, though synthesized, voice of Xat from the comlock, and as instructed Selene placed an icon imagery of a Re'tu on it for visual reference. Tony rather like the thought of an invisible tank, though if it was like what Xzuk described as a ship, a flier as it was translated to be. Tony wasn't certain he wanted an insect looking tank...but he also knew he shouldn't be picky right now.
At least the Stragoth were not using a Leviathan again. Not since the first time, though Alan wasn't alone in wondering if seeing such a large ship flying at Alpha might prompt the Lieutenant General to pushing for Eagle funding.
"Mike you ready in the pod and all?" Alan talked into his comlock, setting it down on his console as he sat at what he hoped would be Reconnaissance station, where someone would act as mission control for the Eagles. Right now about all it controlled was the MALP for the Stargate.
"Roger that Alan. Ready to go up when you give the go," Mike Baxter confidently replied. Like Alan he loved flying and loved to fly as many different kinds of craft as he could. He even knew how to fly an old prop planes to modern jets. He wanted to fly the space shuttle, and jumped at the chance to fly a real alien spacecraft. So what if he might be expected to ram it into an incoming craft?
"Well just hold on there mate, we aren't asking you to go kamikaze on us just yet," Alan quipped as he checked the updates on the bioship's vector and speed.
The vaguely half hammerhead shark and half squid bioship continued on its way than started to change its vector, "They are changing course again, same as before." Sandra reported confirming what the past three times had shown.
"And you say they've done this three times now?" Vidrine asked his arms crossed, feet apart and a thoughtful expression upon his face.
"Yes, General," John wasn't alone as he heard the tone of a man wanting to help.
"After this is over, let's meet again. I have an idea that might help." Looks were exchanged all around Main Mission, but no one was going to say a thing, not even the Tollans, though for different reasons.
Once the ship had returned through the Supergate again, John found the General up on the Observational balcony with Victor and saw that the General was falling under his mentor's spell. He certainly looked like he was drinking in each word Victor was speaking.
"...you see the artificial gravity force fields should allow an Eagle to accelerate up to 15 of the speed of light, oh John, there you are," Victor broke off upon spotting his friend, "I was just explaining to Stephen here just what the Eagle is, and how it could really revolutionize space travel and exploration."
John noticed they were up to first names all ready yet kept that to himself, just because Victor could call the General by his first name was not permission for a mere Colonel to do so.
"General if you're ready, we''re ready," John stepped aside to let General Vidrine walk passed him. It wasn't long afterwards that Stephen Vidrine was looking around the table in the Command office offering hope where Kinsey had not.
"...I can't promise this will be easy, and it sounds on the surface rather bleak, but it puts you in the way of funding and you folks are way ahead of the others with an actual design that looks ready for a prototype."
"But 305? Can't you do better than that?" Paul asked thinking if the US was on the X-301 program, offering to make the Eagle the X-305 didn't sound like the favor he thought the General was trying to make it out to be.
"Paul, this does help," Victor intercepted other objections or explanations, "You see its not linear. That is its not like we have to go 301, 302, 303, and so on before getting to 305. It only means we are the fifth design or programme under General Vidrine's purview."
"Right, Victor," Stephen retook the conversation as its lead, "While yes, the 301 is likely to get the lion's share of the budget, and we have it as a prototype nearly ready to fly it by all means isn't our only plan for spacecraft. The others, 302-304s are in various stages of planning, and some are based on others before they could see the light of a CAD. What you have is ahead of them. We can funnel some funding for the Eagle, get it built and until those funds are needed for earlier programs, they can be freed up for the X-305."
He turned to look at John, "You can build more up here right?"
Nodding, he knew where the General was going with this one, "Victor has recruited from the various societies and groups he's been a member of like the L-5 Society and in case of our miners and some of the construction workers, PERMANENT, Program to Employ Resources of the Moon and Asteroids Near Earth in the Near Term."
"In other words, unlike the other programs, once you've shown it can be done, you've got the resources to build them on your own," Stephen emphasized, "That means a lot of hands off from Washington." Which many read into what he meant was Senator Kinsey, "Because all that will show up is manhours of work, not mining, refining or more importanly shipping."
He had already been standing, leaning over with hands on the conference table as he talked, but now Stephen stood up, turned and extended his hand to Alan, "Group Captain, you get a working prototype for me and you're set. I'll start the paperwork for the program when I get back." Alan was grinning fiercely as the two shook hands, rubbing his own together once they two had let go.
"Gentleman, if all goes well, it looks like we'll get an Eagle to fly over Moonbase Alpha."