Star Force: Trailblazer (SF4) Read online

  “As you can see, there are several models of dropships, starships, and stations available. These have all been field tested to the extreme, with the new models of Star Force equipment not on the list as we work out the kinks on our own time. From now and into the indefinite future, all equipment offered up for sale will be established designs. Experimentals we will keep to ourselves, along with the risk inherent in them. All production models will have operational history and safety assessments attached to the brochure for you to review.”

  “We urge you to take your time in choosing the proper craft for your needs, for while the costs are reasonable, they are definitely not cheap, and you will undoubtedly want to maximize your expenditures. We will assist you with planning if you inquire. We are, after all, interesting in the successful colonization of space, and helping you helps us accomplish our mandate.”

  Davis paused as he let all that sink in…then he blanked the viewscreens.

  “The second announcement I have to make is the more important. Many of you may not like what I am about to say, and if that is the case I apologize, but it is not up for discussion. It is often said that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, and in studying the history of colonization on our planet it is evident that your countries cannot be trusted.”

  He let that hang in the air for a moment, then continued.

  “Back when Columbus first discovered the Americas there was an extraordinary amount of potential in exploring and colonizing the new lands. In fact, many of the nations present here today are a result of that discovery…but the way in which events took place in the following centuries was abhorrent. The possibilities afford to your nations was squandered through petty bickering, a lack of cooperation, and numerous misdeeds.”

  “Wars were fought out of greed and the ambitions of evil men. This history is not one that we can allow to repeat itself. One would like to think that Humanity has progressed since that era…but present day events seem to suggest otherwise. You look now at the condition of certain regions of this planet and you will see how unenlightened that you are. Many of you cannot be trusted…others simply do not know what to do, and out of ignorance make many mistakes, some of which turn out to be fatal.”

  “Then again, some of you offer a glimmer of hope. With our assistance you have accomplished significant feats, and we intend to further those relationships. To the rest, I have a warning to give you. Star Force will not tolerate your misdeeds transitioning into space. We do not, in any way, condone what is happening and has happened on the surface of Earth, but we will be judging you by your actions above it.”

  “Any nation, corporation, or individual violating Star Force’s standard code of conduct…which we are now expanding well beyond the document that currently outlines your expected behavior onboard our installations…will be hence forth barred from any form of commerce with Star Force for a duration of our choosing, but two primary points I will tell you now. If any of you instigate warfare in space, you will be banned from Star Force services for a minimum of 10 years. If any of you should attack Star Force property or personnel, you will suffer a PERMANENT ban…and no governmental restructuring will circumvent it.”

  “Let me make this crystal clear,” Davis said in a growl, almost berating the assembled representatives. “We will not tolerate bad behavior of any kind, and we will hold you accountable for it. Some of you may not take me at my word and be forced to learn through example…so be it. I am serious about this, as is the rest of Star Force. If we allow even a sliver of the problems on the surface of Earth to rise above the atmosphere, we will be killing our future.”

  “It is your responsibility,” he said, pointing out at the leaders, “to solve the problems on our planet…Star Force will take care of space. And no, we do not need a UN resolution to sanction that position. We are the dominant force in the orbital economy. You all know it…you may not like it, but you recognize that fact, and today Star Force is asserting its latent authority to circumvent a potential powder keg on the horizon.”

  “Before I get to that, let me reemphasize a point. Star Force unequivocally stands by the premise that all nations should have access to space travel. We will never use our influence to suppress one of you, regardless of whether you choose to do business with us or not. If you wish to go it alone and develop all your own craft, we welcome the company so long as you behave yourselves. What I am about to do is not an ego move by Star Force…it is a move designed to ensure global access to space colonization for all concerned. We are the arbiters…not the rulers.”

  Davis hit a button on his podium and large picture of Luna appeared behind him.

  “To date, three nations have outposts on the Moon. The United States, China, and Russia. Star Force hereby recognizes the prior claims to these locations,” he said, highlighting the three spots on the rotating picture, “while we hereby lay claim to these territories.”

  The three tiny red hexagons on top of the outposts were suddenly engulfed in a mass of green covering 2/3rds of the planetoid.

  An uproar from the representatives followed…as expected…and Davis waited it out, staring down at the politicians and corporate execs but saying nothing. A few minutes later their protests died out and returned to their seats as Davis continued to stare them down, but they were still on the brink of another outburst.

  “That’s better,” he continued calmly. “You will note the remaining third of the planet we are not laying claim to. As I’ve said, Star Force has no intention to rule space, merely to lead the way and arbitrate between the rest of you. These regions,” he said, highlighting them blue, “will be divvied up between the nations of this planet over the next thirty years…but you will have to prove yourselves worthy. You get nothing simply for existing, as many of you will probably argue later. Our decision is final, and this is how things are going to play out.”

  “If you wish to establish and operate a colony on the Moon independent of Star Force, so be it, but in order to lay claim to territory there, you must get there on your own. We will provide you with a specialized beacon, approximately the size of a car, that you will be required to transport from the Earth’s surface to the surface of the Moon intact…using no Star Force technology.”

  The crowd couldn’t contain its fury anymore and another outburst followed, but it was quickly stifled by the Russian delegation, who vocally berated the others demanding silence…with about half of them submitting. The rest remained vocal for a few moments longer, then eventually settled down after Davis hit a noise pulse button on his dais. The resulting screech/siren blanked out all conversation for a couple of seconds.

  “Please proceed,” one of the Russian representatives said as he glared at the other delegates.

  Davis nodded his thanks. “You will have exactly 10 years from today to successfully deliver and activate the beacon on the surface of the Moon, which must be accomplished by hand, meaning you have to send a manned mission and not just a delivery probe. All those nations, or conglomerates, accomplishing this task prior to the deadline will be included in the division of one third of the available territories, after which a second 10 year period will begin. Any nations added into the mix during this period will take part in the second allotment, followed by a third and final opportunity, at the conclusion of which the last remaining Lunar territories will be assigned.”

  “Now, those of you who do not wish to attempt an independent Lunar landing but still wish to establish a foothold on the Moon will be able to do so within Star Force’s territory…under lease, similar to the system we are currently using for our space stations. Furthermore, any nation attaining possession of their own Lunar territory can supplement that will leases as well. This is not an either/or proposition. You can proceed as you choose…we are merely affording you options.”

  The US President stood up while casually waving a hand to get Davis’s attention, then yelled loud enough to be heard from his position near the back row of seats. �
�Am I correct in assuming that our Lunar base already qualifies us for this first draw, along with Russia and China?”

  “You are correct,” Davis confirmed. “You have already sent a man to the moon, and because you have done so prior to Star Force’s arrival, the territory you already have inhabited will be recognized as yours in addition to the first allotment.”

  “What about our Martian colony? I’m assuming that at some point you’ll be wanting to divide that planet up as well.”

  “You currently do not have a colony on Mars,” Davis reminded him, “but your landing there will most likely be accredited when we get to that point. Currently, Star Force has no interest or intention of traveling to Mars until we get our infrastructure in the immediate area of space established, though you can expect a similar allotment procedure to be employed down the road.”

  “How dare you!” one of the execs bellowed from the front row, seated just below where Davis was standing. “Star Force hasn’t landed on Mars or the Moon! Yet you want to dictate to us what we can and can’t do there. You have no rights whatsoever to order us around!”

  “But we can choose who to do business with, Mr. Arcardo,” Davis said, looking down at the head of one of Star Force’s ‘major’ competitors in the field of space tech. “And anyone who wants to fight us on this will no longer have access to our services.”

  “That’s blackmail!”

  “Sit down!” the American Secretary of Defense said from behind. Arcardo turned around indignant, then reluctantly bowed to the wishes of his number one customer. “I see now why you didn’t want the media present,” he added to soften the now tense tone of the summit.

  “I don’t expect all of you to like this arrangement,” Davis acknowledged, “but after you leave this room and think the logistics through, you will find that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement…unless you prefer starting World War III to decide who has claim and who doesn’t.”

  “That should be up to the UN!” someone else shouted.

  Davis fervently shook his head. “You are the UN, and you could never come to an agreement…and even if you did, it would not be a fair one. Star Force holds all nations as equals, with equal access to our technology and an equal chance to gain Lunar territory. You won’t find a better deal…nor are we giving you a choice.”

  “As for Mr. Arcardo’s claims that Star Force has never been to the Moon or Mars, I would like to point out that we are currently constructing a starport in orbit around the Moon to facilitate the transfer of cargo and personnel to the surface. Once completed, it will link to our Earth orbiting starports via a number of dedicated starship ferries, expanding the conduit to space into a larger transportation network.”

  “Once constructed, the Lunar starport will connect to the surface via specially designed dropships, due to the planetoid’s reduced gravity and lack of atmosphere. They will shuttle down the supplies and crews necessary to establish a proper spaceport, from which we will begin spreading out across our territories, prepping them for lease.”

  “As for Mars…a number of our starships are capable of traveling there and back if we so wished, but at this point we see no value in it. We will go when we are ready to extend our transit network there, not before. But make no mistake, we can plant a flag there easier than any of you can.”

  Davis turned his attention back to the group as a whole. “Over the coming weeks, you will see this city swell with a population ready and eager to reach out towards the stars. Consider wisely how best to proceed, both for yourselves, your nations, and for the collective good of this planet...and in the end, I believe you will come to realize that this is the only realistic way we can move forward.”

  “Take your time, consider your options, enjoy the festivities…you have ten years before the first allotment, so there’s no rush.”

  He deactivated the territorial map behind him, with several realtime images of the sunlit city coming up as screensavers as he brought the briefing to a close.

  “And of course,” Davis added a bit tongue in cheek, “welcome to Atlantis.”