Chapter 3
Shadows in the backThe earth is now sparsely populated, many have perished in the inferno of Proteus SA/1984 and the following war. Those who survived immigrated towards one of the three Clusters, groups of space colonies. Where they could live a peaceful life since the Clusters are so fragile and war would be impossible because of it. While space opened up the spirit of man, it was weighed down by gravitity back on earth and there his ways remained the same.
The Amerigo province was heavily scarred by Proteus, a crater that almost reached coast to coast, thousands of kilometres wide. It is now a backwater outpost of the Terran Commonwealth with only one nameable settlement, Yellowknife. Most other provinces have been luckier but they too have substained great losses, many of their old metropolis' were razed to the ground and rebuild on the remainder.
27 March. RA 0066, Capital Luxemburg, Imperial PalaceThe clear sky above the imperial palace is brutally sliced in pieces by the vapour trails of the airpatrol passing over. On the ground troops from the Palace Guard are marching tightly in formation around the compound, much more military presence than usual. Banners and flags decorate the walls of the old Neo-Gothic buildings. High ranking officers, VIP's and nobles assemble in the great hall of the palace. All come for one thing; the disclosure of project 'Ultra'.
Most are sceptical, others are afraid to lose their positions, some are looking forward to the project and even few have no idea why they're here.
Some of the conversations, for instance these three gentlemen;
"So this is the famed Newtype Research Program?" a young scientist asks himself as well to others around him.
An old former official answers "Oh goodness, no, it's supposed to be some military project, not research"
"Bah, you're not serious, are you? Newtypes are nothing but colony fairy tales" a TDF-officer next to them blurts out.
The elder man continues "Research has proven that some spacenoids have far superior senses and technological insights than average humans, at Cluster 2…"
"Exactly, at a Cluster, not earth but a colony! Why can't earthnoids be Newtypes?" the officer barks in reaction.
The scientist rejoins "It's theorised that after generations of life in space sometimes open up hidden abilities in the brain."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing, all spacenoid propaganda. They the new superior breed and us earthnoids the Oldtypes? Next thing you know comes an invading space army to dominate us, it's been proven time and time again this is the case. Every nation that sees itself as the superior always tries to rule all."
"That's true, we should never have allowed the Clusters to secede, who knows what they might be scheming."
"Why did the Emperor never try to bring the colonies back to the Empire of Terra?"
…
As last the TDF Commander General Septim enters the palace, bringing an air of tension along. Most people fear this ruthless fascist, many who've opposed him met his Storm Police up close and personal. He has every reason to boycot this project, as it might undermine his powerbase.
In the palace gardens it is more peaceful, only birds, other wildlife and an ocassionally passing guard. Beautiful flowers, figuratively cut bushes and statues are put together in a harmonizing feeling in the gardens. Beige gravel paths, with a marble bench every twenty metres, lead on to a grand fountain. A majestic statue of a winged victory goddess, with a cloth waving over her head, which overshadows and protects a smaller statue depicting man. The man is wounded and has broken shackles on his wrists and in a stance looking upwards to the skies in hope.
In front of the fountain sits Jericho silently admiring the beauty of the gardens, far away from the busy preparations for the presentation of their project.
"Ah there you are"
Jericho turns round and notices that Aislinn has taken a seat next to him on the bench.
"Its almost time for the presentation" she continued as she pointed with her thumb into the direction. He looked and saw a row of MS heads just coming up above the roof of the palace. "And are your troops ready?"
"Sure, all ten of them" he grinned, knowing that was the limit of allowed troops in the palace.
In turn she laughs too "Yeah, my ten soldiers are ready too"
For a moment he studied her as she was bathing in the rays of the spring sun. This young woman, who is commander of the 10th MS-Inf.Div., seems to come alive in this garden. With her short blonde locks and irresistable smile she doesn't give the impression of a soldier, looks more like a nurse in a field hospital on some far away battleground. But then again, she does care for her troops like any mother would for her children.
Slowly a sound is hearable of a propelled air vehicle, coming closer.
"Hear that? Its him, lets go!" Aislinn yelled in excitement.
She jumps up, pointing towards the now visible zeppelin and then pulls Jerichos arm hard, forcing him to stand up too. In a flash she runs towards the presentation area while still holding his arm tightly, withhim trying to keep up without taking a dive into the gravel.
Capital Luxemburg, Imperial Palace, landing padThe landing zeppelin is welcomed by an enthousiastic crowd with Gen. Septim on the first row. As the doors open up the 25th Imperial Brass Band start to play their repetoire, while guards roll out the red carpet and make two single file rows on each side of the carpet. The first to come out of the zeppelin is an introducer,he takes place next to the exit and waves towards the doors "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Emperor of the Terran Commonwealth."
An applause erupts after this message and finally emperor Stahl and his aide-de-camp Carstairs step out to greet the masses. First the formal salute and then more normal wave like he was a holy man.
It was obvious that Alexander Stahl was growing old, slowly moving and leaning heavily on his cane.
Septim soon joins the two and they begin their way towards the presentation area. In their wake the rest of the top officials and guests, 1st Lt. Yumi happening to be one of them.
Capital Luxemburg, Imperial Palace, courtyards, presentation areaAll twelve captains stood in row next to each other with behind them their united group of 120 men and twelve Legios, ground type. The pilot hatches stand open and serve as a little podium for their pilots who are saluting the spectating crowd. Among them stands Yumi, back in her old TDF uniform. A sober, khaki green and low cut vest and dito skirt. The special operations insignia on her shoulder and a black ribbon on her sleeve, marking the unit she was part of. As last a shiny brown belt with an empty holster attached, since weapons are not allowed in the presence of the Emperor.
Stahl is greeted by OC-president Carson, Julius and their assistents.
Not really impressed like the other people around her, as she has seen nothing else for some months now, she looks around bored to the troops in formation until she notices one of the pilots. He has taken an eye for her too and quickly waves without trying to raise attention. Yumi sees now that it's Ensign 6751 and responds his gesture with exuberant waving and smiling.
(psst, hey Jer, psst…) It was Gannon, standing next to Jericho, whispering with his thoughts. They were supposed to remain silently in position, but he couldn't resist and bends a bit over towards his comrade. (Say, skirts are only worn by women right?)
(Yeah, it's normally only for women, why do you ask on a time like this?) Jericho wondered.
(Well, look at that guy) and he gives a little nod with his head towards this person.
A TDF-officer, by the looks of his uniform, from the 7th 'Hammersmith' Light Cavaliers. Still it uses clothing native to the people from the Anglia province.
(That's no skirt, dummy) Jericho remarked and slightly amused.
(How can it not be? That man is standing 15 metres from us in a skirt!)
(Its the traditional clothing of the northern european islands, they call it a Kilt)
(Really?) Gannon sees an opportunity. (If he can wear a skir… a kilt, then so can I. That must be more roomy than these blasted pants. I'm going to do it, I'm gonna bloody do it!) with an almost diabolical smile in his gaze.
Both Ultrans have to laugh about this little situation.
(Did you notice that? The people seem to grow restless…) Jericho perceives.
(Yeah, I see it too, what's goin…)
A bit further Emperor Alexander Stahl collapses, clutching his chest.
Panic rushes through the crowd like wildfire and start to move around like cattle trapped in a burning stable. People fear the worst.
"The Emperor is dead!"
"Assassins"
"What will happen…"
But Stahl is not dead. Lying on the ground, his head supported on Carstairs' lap, speaking deliriously "No! What have I done… The blue devil will come. This army should never…, its… cause… insurrection! The Defender he……"
After that he loses conscious, Cmdr. Gen. Septim seizes his chance to finish this project and assume the leadership of the Commonwealth.
"It is all the fault of these freaks" he yells incitingly, his arms waving heavily "Look what they did to our beloved leader. Spacenoid scum!"
Septim then walks up to Jericho, the easiest target, and hits him in the face. The punch, strong enough to knock a man of his feet, did not fell him. Only a mere bruise but the favour wasn't going to be repayed, Jericho remained in position with his hands on his back.
(Don't do anything to escalate the situation!) Julius tries to intervene.
"This is the great supersoldier? It's a mutant, they should have wiped it off the earth, I'll do it right now!"
The furious Septim tried to beat Jericho again but was blocked by the quick reactions of Sgt. Mj. 12089 and got knocked down instead. "I will not allow you to touch the Captain again." he said in a calm but viscious tone.
"Da… Damn you all!" Humiliated and enraged, Septim crawled up and reaches for his gun and orders the other guards to do the same. "Open fi…" In the middle of it, Carstairs' yelling grabs everybodies attention.
"Wait! Our Emperor… he wants to see him, the winged one!"
Damn, blew my chance, almost got rid of these Conglomerate trash. Septim thought to himself. The people rejoiced on the news that their leader hasn't passed away. Even Yumi released a sigh of relief. The arrived medics lay him out on a stretcher and carry him away under the protection of the guards.
28 March. RA 0066, Capital Luxemburg, Imperial hospitalThe Emperor recovers in a heavily guarded room, assisted by Carstairs and a personal nurse. Even ill he has to continue with matters of state, the world does not stop revolving. Still weak he slowly discusses the current situation with his aide-de-camp, under the watchful eye of the nurse.
"Carstairs, I have decided."
"Yes mylord?"
"It's too much a risk to leave this Ultran army as it is. The balance of power is disrupted for a long time now and it's presence might shift it into the wrong direction. I… I was wrong all those years ago. A superarmy will only lead to more bloodshed than peace, so I decide to terminate this project and order the inmediate destruction of its troops." Stahl whispered faintly to his trusted underling.
"But… But sir, all those lives?" Carstairs stutters in turn.
"Expendable, besides they're engineered. Most people would in turn not even call them human. Inform the Omni Conglomerate we no longer require their services. They have grown to powerful indeed…"
The conversation is interrupted by a knocking on the door. A guard enters the room, salutes and says "Lord Emperor, your guest has arrived". He then beckons towards the entrance and Cpt. Jericho makes his way in and salutes "Sir"
"Aaa, just the man I was expecting, please have a seat" Stahl brightens up. "Carstairs, miss, will you please leave us? The captain and I have important business to discuss."
He hasn't ended his sentence or both of them were almost out of the room. Jericho takes a chair and seats himself near the bed, after the door shuts tight Stahl starts.
"Do you know how I won the war?"
"Offcourse, you launched a sattelite into space capable of destroying an entire city in a flash and threatened both sides into surrender" an slightly amazed Jericho responded, who would not remember his famed deeds of the past?
Alexander Stahl had to laugh at the schoolbook answer. "That's what most historians made of it, but I was able to succeed because I foresaw every step the enemy was going to take, took or not took. For I am blessed, or cursed, with the gift of precognition. Even now I have bleak visions of the future, but my age and health prevents me from seeïng it correctly. There is a chance the earth will be invaded from space and that your armies might be the direct or indirect cause of it."
"Sir, that's impossible, the spacenoids are pacifists. They do not tolerate weapons in outer space, for a Cluster is too vulnerable. And as for us, we have sworn an oath…" Jericho interrupts and is just as fast halted by Stahl.
"… to protect mankind no matter what and against everything. I know. But it's not you but the OC I don't trust, doublefaced and liars. Probably lied to you all and your Julius must be in on it."
The emperor was groing weary of the discussion as his speach was slowing down.
"In my last vision I saw how a defender stood up to protect us from the invaders, just like I was chosen in the last war, so shall you be chosen to be the one in the next. The Defender. Your mission lies ahead of you as I did mine so long ago… To help the helpless andprotect them to the end… Fight proud my son, you're the defenderdestiny has sent."
After having spoken this words Alexander Stahl falls asleep exhausted. Shocked, Jericho leaves and returns to Omnicity on the first shuttleflight.
29 March, RA 0066, Secret meeting of the joint-chiefs of staff
In this secret location the destiny of mankind is set into motion. The room filled with the top leaders of the Omni Conglomerate, all kept in the dark of their purpose here. All they can do for now is drink of the refreshments on the table while they wait for their superior, president Carson. After a few moments Julius enters the room with some files under his arm. He walks tight but confident with his ever air of superiority towards his chair on the right hand side of the headseat. Julius sinks comfortably back in his seat and begins to examine his papers. Those present not even worthy of waisting a 'good evening' on.
"Gentlemen, thank you all for joining on such short notice" president Carson begins his speech while hastily entering the room making way towards his chair, some nod understandable.
"Many of you weren't won for our original plan and we decided to remain behind the scenes of the Terran Commonwealth instead of direct control. Thanks to our gigantic help the earthnoids were able to rebuild their planet an create a magnificent empire, but now they think they can discard us like that? We are the true power on earth, not the weak Commonwealth!"
This part is applauded by knocking their fists on the round, massive oak table. Their crystaline glasses tremble slightly by the sheer power.
"It is time that we discard them! We will assume command of the earthsphere and rebuild our world like it was before the war. Once again we will be a true aristocracy, a ruling elite over the rabble."
"Sir, my armies are ready and are awaiting the command." Julius commented.
On that remark Carson looks around the present people "Since there are no objections?"
A deafening and unanymous silence.
"Good, by this I order the beginning of Operation Heathen!"