Planet Wrecker

-13-

Sharply at 6:13 A.M. the next morning, the meeting began on Level Three of New Baghdad. It was held in the Supreme Commander’s quarters. Director Danzig of China Sector and Director Juba-Ryder of Egyptian Sector joined Air Marshal Crowfoot of Earth-Air Defense, Security Specialist Cone and Field Marshal Mead of Missile Defense.

Two years ago in order to dilute the power of the Directorate, Hawthorne had shrunk each Director’s area of authority. Danzig used to run Eurasia and Juba-Ryder Africa. As the area under Social Unity control shrank, the number of Directors had risen to three times the former size.

Captain Mune attended, sitting in back. Outside waited three more bionic soldiers, part of Hawthorne’s new personal security team.

***

From the Supreme Commander’s biocomp transcriptions, File #3:

The meeting opened with a long, detailed report by Cone on the conflict between Hawthorne’s security teams and renegade PHC murder-squads. Next, Crowfoot spoke about the impossibility of airlifting critical reinforcements to North American Sector. Hawthorne made few comments on these reports. Army Chief of Staff Engel entered and reported on Eurasian and African readiness for Highborn invasions. He then took his leave, and the Supreme Commander began to comment.

HAWTHORNE: The situation is grim. Everywhere we are on the defensive. Yet we have certain strengths remaining, as pointed out by the Army Chief of Staff. We hold Eurasia and Africa in a fierce grip. It is the majority of the landmass on Earth, and Earth is by far the most important planet of the Solar System. We, therefore, continue to hold the critical real estate. Earth is heavily armed with proton beams, merculite missiles and point-defense cannons. We also have more trained soldiers than at the beginning of the hostilities.

MEAD: We have twenty times the number of missiles now.

HAWTHORNE: Yes, an excellent point. Unfortunately, it is also true that in order to win a war, one must do more than defend. One must attack. We last attacked at Mars, which happened much too long ago.

DANZIG: I’d like to comment on that, if I may.

HAWTHORNE: This is an open meeting.

DANZIG: We took a gamble then. It resulted in the destruction of a Doom Star. Yet it also resulted in the loss of the farm habitats. Mass starvation has badly shaken Social Unity. I wonder if here is the source of the hostility between PHC and yourself.

CONE: Hostility? It is an urban campaign fought in our cities like a civil war. We cannot afford it. (To Hawthorne) I suggest we call out the military instead of just using the security teams.

DANZIG: No! The tenants of Social Unity are clear. The military must never turn on the society or the society’s guardians.

CONE: PHC no longer guards Social Unity. They attacked the Supreme Commander, thereby attacking the chief representative of the people and abrogating their responsibilities.

DANZIG: When did this attack occur?

CONE: (To Hawthorne) With your permission, sir.

HAWTHORNE: (Nods affirmatively).

CONE: They attempted assassination through proxies on New Baghdad’s Fifty-third Level, during the Supreme Commander’s surprise inspection.

DANZIG: I was not aware of this.

CONE: Internal security has demanded a need-to-know basis.

DANZIG: But we’re talking about dismantling one of the critical pillars of Social Unity. We know the creed. The Party, PHC and the Military are the tripod that upholds the State. If we lose one leg, the State totters. Sir, I highly respect you. But now isn’t the time for a military dictatorship.

HAWTHORNE: I quite agree, Director. Social Unity is the glue that binds our society together. We need that glue more than ever. In the past, PHC has been the watchdog of our hearts. Unfortunately, an insidious infiltration has occurred in Political Harmony Corps. The infiltration began during the Battle for Mars. Each of you is aware of the cyborg treachery there. During the battle, the cyborgs gained mental dominance of key Fleet personnel.

DANZIG: What form of mental dominance?

CONE: Cybernetic implants.

DANZIG: Do you expect us to believe such—

HAWTHORNE: Director, please, I am aware that your security teams have gained access to secret files on the Mars battle. I am also aware that you have sent two family members to Star Chamber meetings with other disgruntled directors.

DANZIG: (A three-second hesitation ensues) I have the minutes of those meetings, sir. Tomorrow, at the latest, I was going to turn those minutes over to Specialist Cone. Their actions were and are deplorable. I sent two…family members in order to monitor their treachery. They are cunning people, and extremely paranoid. I believe they have infiltrated your communications net. I feared to alert you too soon, lest I lose access to their inner councils.

HAWTHORNE: You misunderstood me, Director. It’s true I desire knowledge concerning their thoughts, but not as a loyalty test to me.

DANZIG: You are too trusting, sir. Their words bordered on treachery. I recommend you send your bionic squads to their residences.

HAWTHORNE: You surprise me. I should arrest them?

DANZIG: Several of the stated directors wish to make common cause with Political Harmony Corps, and have sent high-level envoys to them.

HAWTHORNE: Which squads do you suggest I employ against them?

DANZIG: These directors have quietly strengthened their bodyguard services. It’s possible you’ll need maximum force to arrest them.

HAWTHORNE: You’ve given me excellent advice. Captain Mune, would you alert your teams and await my go-word.

MUNE: (Rises and leaves the room).

HAWTHORNE: I have—yes, Director Juba-Ryder?

JUBA-RYDER: I do not trust him, sir. (Pointing at Danzig).

HAWTHORNE: While I most certainly do.

JUBA-RYDER: If I could have a word in private with you, sir?

HAWTHORNE: (Shakes head) I have called this meeting for several reasons. We have discussed one of them. The second item is the Highborn. Specifically, how can we tear the initiative out of their hands? They have relentlessly continued their assault on Social Unity. While it is true that Eurasia and Africa can hold out indefinitely, if we are to win the war, we must go on the offensive. Through the years, I have initiated several offensives. I would now like to open the floor to any novel ideas any of you might have.

DANZIG: These are military matters, outside our scope.

HAWTHORNE: You are incorrect, Director. The Party supplies the leadership to the State. Leaders must decide grand strategy. It is then the Military’s function to proceed with the plans using the best means possible.

DANZIG: I stand corrected.

CROWFOOT: We must gain mastery of orbital space. Without it, we shall never be able to launch sustained land offensives.

JUBA-RYDER: (To Hawthorne) Since you will not meet privately with me, sir, I most openly declare my distrust of Director Danzig.

DANZIG: (To Juba-Ryder) I wasn’t aware you had a vendetta against me.

JUBA-RYDER: I do not. But my security services have uncovered high-level communications between you and the Planetary Union bosses on Mars.

HAWTHORNE: (To Juba-Ryder) Come now, Director. This is unwarranted.

DANZIG: (to Juba-Ryder) You forget that I was the spokesman for Social Unity to the Martians.

JUBA-RYDER: Do you still hold this post?

DANZIG: I don’t understand what you’re trying to—

JUBA-RYDER: I lost three good operatives gaining this information. The reason is that you zealously guarded such knowledge. I want to know why these communications are so important to you.

DANZIG: You admit to spying on me?

JUBA-RYDER: We all spy on each other.

HAWTHORNE: (To Danzig) What is the Director talking about?

DANZIG: I assure you it is nothing, sir.

HAWTHORNE: Amuse us then with this nothing.

DANZIG: The Jovians, sir, they—ah, look, your captain has returned.

MUNE: (Reenters the chamber and nods crisply to the Supreme Commander).

HAWTHORNE: You have sent the order, Captain?

MUNE: I have followed your orders, sir.

HAWTHORNE: (to Danzig) You were saying, Director?

DANZIG: Your captain has ordered the attacks on the questionable Directors?

HAWTHORNE: That isn’t your concern, but mine. Now please, you were saying?

DANZIG: I’m feeling ill, sir. Do you mind if I consult with my physician?

HAWTHORNE: Do you need refreshments?

DANZIG: It’s a heart complaint, sir. I brought my personal physician with me. If I could consult her for a few minutes…?

HAWTHORNE: Naturally, I wish you to remain in full health. Before you go, however, I’d like to hear of this Jovian communication.

DANZIG: The Jovians are a stealthy people, sir. I consider them completely untrustworthy.

HAWTHORNE: So there has been communication between Mars and Jupiter?

DANZIG: If one could call it that. They’ve sent questionable queries to the Martians. If you’ll recall, the Jovians had an alliance with Mars over a decade ago.

HAWTHORNE: You’ve aroused my curiosity. What was this query?

DANZIG: (A long pause) The Jovians claim to be seeking an understanding with Social Unity.

HAWTHORNE: The Planetary Union bosses passed this on to you, did they?

DANZIG: It is nothing, sir. I understood it as a ploy. (Puts hand over his heart) I fear I must see my doctor. (Rises) With your permission—

HAWTHORNE: Captain Mune, will you assist the Director to a holding cell. Then take a team and arrest this so-called doctor of his.

DANZIG: (Turns pale) Have I offended you, sir? If so, I gravely apologize.

HAWTHORNE: You’ve offended me on two counts. One, you attempted to trick me into sending my bionic squads into certain ambushes. I did nothing of the kind, but gave the order to see what you would do. Now, you’ve kept secret a possibly critical diplomatic opening with the Jovians. I’d hoped to continue using you as a link with the disgruntled directors. Now I see they plan a coup, possibly in conjunction with what remains of PHC. You’ve chosen the wrong side, Danzig.

DANZIG: Please, sir! Let me make amends. I’ve served you well in the past.

HAWTHORNE: (Signals Mune) I want a full confession. And I want all the information he has on the Jovians.

DANZIG: Yes, yes, you’ll have it. I guarantee it.

MUNE: (Takes hold of Director Danzig and marches him out of the chamber).

HAWTHORNE: (To the others) Let us continue. In the African Sector….

End of File #3