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Authors: John Lumpkin
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beach. Unlucky Edmonton was among the losses; she had been blown in
half by a Chinese missile, and only a third of her crew had been rescued. On
the surface, the senior Chinese general decided to launch an all-out amphibious
assault before the British reinforcements could dig in with their fellows, but
the gambit had failed on this very stretch of coast.
Neil had dropped down a few hours ago, after the battle had
been decided.
“The other two Chinese divisions are withdrawing north, into
no-man’s land. They may withdraw them off the continent entirely,” Raleigh
said. “Command sees this as a significant opportunity. The Hans and Kims are
pushing us on every front, and we’ve got a chance to focus their attention here
on Entente.”
“Sir?”
“We’re going to build defenses against the Han colony across
the ocean. This is the second place they settled, more than thirty years ago,
so it carries some significance for them. The Brits don’t have enough to contain
it, but we’re going to make some moves to force the Chinese to deal with us. We’re
going to take the initiative, Mercer.”
“Sounds good, sir.” Why is he telling me this? The
U.S. controlled no territory on Entente, and its military presence was minimal.
The Chinese colony of Huashan had a population of over 700,000 people, a large
naval base, and a reserve division of troops protecting it.
“Between here and there are a couple of strategic island
states with both spaceports and deep-water ports, Ardoyne and Tecolote. Both
are neutral. We’d like to change that: Allying with either would be vital for
us to prevent another invasion of New Albion.”
Here it comes. “I’m going to Ardoyne, which is a better
bet for a number of reasons, although their port will need some work. I was
going to leave you on New Albion as a liaison with the Brits, but for reasons
unclear to me, their command has expressed a desire to work with someone else, so
I’m sending you to Tecolote as a defense attaché. Your job will be to make nice
with their government, to let them know they have the support of the United
States military. You will give them information, within reason. You will also
gather information about the government and the insurgency, particularly their
military capabilities, in case we have to work with either of them more closely
in the future. You will check with me on anything you aren’t sure about.”
I’m not going back to the ship and Jessica. “How long
is the assignment?”
“Hard to say. Apache will remain in orbit as part of
the blockade, and you’ll still be on the books as the ship intel officer, so
this assignment won’t cost you time as a section chief, if that’s your concern.
Once you’re in Tecolote, you’ll also work with our diplomatic mission, such as
it is, as well as the NSS station chief on the island, who specifically
requested your presence.”
Neil brightened. “Mister Donovan?” Donovan had been a mentor
on Neil’s previous assignment, but Neil had lost track of him several months
ago. It would be good to see him again.
But Raleigh shook his head. “No, not him. No idea what
happened to that guy. It’s some spook I haven’t met. She said she’s looking
forward to working with you. Anyway, I’ll have your orders and briefing packet
forwarded to you within the day.”
With that, lieutenant and commander saluted each other, and
Raleigh left Neil alone, wondering, as waves crashed over the bodies on the New
Albion shore, and bits of falling debris from the orbital battle filled the sky
with fireflies.
San José, Republic of Tecolote, Entente
NSS World Factbook, 2140 edition: The Republic of Tecolote
is an independent island nation on the planet of Entente (Beta Comae Berenices
IV). It is located in the Apollonian Ocean 1,900 kilometers west-southwest of
the New Albion colony (United Kingdom), 2,200 kilometers east of the Huashan colony
(China), and 900 kilometers south of the Republic of Ardoyne
half by a Chinese missile, and only a third of her crew had been rescued. On
the surface, the senior Chinese general decided to launch an all-out amphibious
assault before the British reinforcements could dig in with their fellows, but
the gambit had failed on this very stretch of coast.
Neil had dropped down a few hours ago, after the battle had
been decided.
“The other two Chinese divisions are withdrawing north, into
no-man’s land. They may withdraw them off the continent entirely,” Raleigh
said. “Command sees this as a significant opportunity. The Hans and Kims are
pushing us on every front, and we’ve got a chance to focus their attention here
on Entente.”
“Sir?”
“We’re going to build defenses against the Han colony across
the ocean. This is the second place they settled, more than thirty years ago,
so it carries some significance for them. The Brits don’t have enough to contain
it, but we’re going to make some moves to force the Chinese to deal with us. We’re
going to take the initiative, Mercer.”
“Sounds good, sir.” Why is he telling me this? The
U.S. controlled no territory on Entente, and its military presence was minimal.
The Chinese colony of Huashan had a population of over 700,000 people, a large
naval base, and a reserve division of troops protecting it.
“Between here and there are a couple of strategic island
states with both spaceports and deep-water ports, Ardoyne and Tecolote. Both
are neutral. We’d like to change that: Allying with either would be vital for
us to prevent another invasion of New Albion.”
Here it comes. “I’m going to Ardoyne, which is a better
bet for a number of reasons, although their port will need some work. I was
going to leave you on New Albion as a liaison with the Brits, but for reasons
unclear to me, their command has expressed a desire to work with someone else, so
I’m sending you to Tecolote as a defense attaché. Your job will be to make nice
with their government, to let them know they have the support of the United
States military. You will give them information, within reason. You will also
gather information about the government and the insurgency, particularly their
military capabilities, in case we have to work with either of them more closely
in the future. You will check with me on anything you aren’t sure about.”
I’m not going back to the ship and Jessica. “How long
is the assignment?”
“Hard to say. Apache will remain in orbit as part of
the blockade, and you’ll still be on the books as the ship intel officer, so
this assignment won’t cost you time as a section chief, if that’s your concern.
Once you’re in Tecolote, you’ll also work with our diplomatic mission, such as
it is, as well as the NSS station chief on the island, who specifically
requested your presence.”
Neil brightened. “Mister Donovan?” Donovan had been a mentor
on Neil’s previous assignment, but Neil had lost track of him several months
ago. It would be good to see him again.
But Raleigh shook his head. “No, not him. No idea what
happened to that guy. It’s some spook I haven’t met. She said she’s looking
forward to working with you. Anyway, I’ll have your orders and briefing packet
forwarded to you within the day.”
With that, lieutenant and commander saluted each other, and
Raleigh left Neil alone, wondering, as waves crashed over the bodies on the New
Albion shore, and bits of falling debris from the orbital battle filled the sky
with fireflies.
San José, Republic of Tecolote, Entente
NSS World Factbook, 2140 edition: The Republic of Tecolote
is an independent island nation on the planet of Entente (Beta Comae Berenices
IV). It is located in the Apollonian Ocean 1,900 kilometers west-southwest of
the New Albion colony (United Kingdom), 2,200 kilometers east of the Huashan colony
(China), and 900 kilometers south of the Republic of Ardoyne
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