Episode 15 continued...
Halfway between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn, four Zeon armadas converge: the Callisto Armada headed by the Governess Lara Constantinas, the Deimos Fleet headed by Field Marshal Konrad Von Bach, the Jupitorius Armada headed by Viceroy Ulysses Napoleon Spector, and Generalissimo Hadrian Reglas, Lord of Titan Zeon.
Once, the four Zeon warlords had been allies, fighting side-by-side for the Glory of Zeon against the degenerate worms of the Earth Federation. Together, they had served valiantly and loyally under the regimes of the Zabis, the Karns, and finally, Grand Fuhrer Char. After the collapse of Char’s regime, they had splintered…each believing himself or herself the most legitimate successor to the Throne of Zeon. For years, they have waged bitter war among one another…each hoping to vanquish the others to reemerge the proven heir to the Archduchy of Zeon. For years, that war has been locked in stalemate, with none of the warlords powerful enough to overcome his or her rivals.
Now, for the first time in over a decade, the Warlords of Zeon have come together, their weapons lain aside to discuss their common interests.
But one among them is missing.
General Alexander Miguel, the Prince of Phobos.
It had been Viceroy Spector who had initiated the ceasefire after the loss of the Jupitorius Colonies to some sort of joint Federation/ISR alliance. Though wary of one another, the Warlords of Zeon nevertheless retain their loyalty to the Zeon ideal. Each of them hopes to seize suzerainty over Zeon and lead the Archduchy into the new century, but such personal goals are now set aside to confront the threat of the Earth Federation spreading its hegemony deeper into space…particularly space that, until now, has been claimed by Zeon.
Despite the sudden renewal of Zeon unity, however, enough distrust exists among the four former colleagues that each has seen fit to bring sizeable armed forces with them (with plenty more held in reserve back at their respective centers of power). Moreover, none of the Zeon warlords have deigned to meet with one another in the same room, but have elected to videoconference from their respective flagships.
Spector breaks the long, awkward silence with characteristic bluntness, dispensing with niceties that he knows his former comrades-turned-rivals turned-allies again would never be deceived nor mollified by, “We’ve set aside our own disputes for a matter of overriding importance to the future of Spacenoid civilization and to Zeon: in the past few months, each of us has confronted the Earth Federation Forces in combat even as we have battled each other. It is evident that the Earthists are not content to maintain their stranglehold on the mother planet and its gravitational orbit, but has set its sights on extending its hegemony into the deeper cosmos as well. To thwart them, we will need to pool our strength.”
“We are one short,” however, Governess Lara Constantinas sees fit to point out.
“Our dear brother-at-arms Alexander would not condescend to join this effort with us,” Field Marshal Konrad Von Bach remarks acidly, “After the Federation assaulted the mining facilities on Mars, I approached young General Miguel about joining forces against the Federation threat. Up to now, I’ve received no response from him.”
Generalissimo Hadrian Reglas of Titan Zeon speaks next, “Alexander Miguel is an arrogant pup who amounts to nothing of consequence. We respected his father, General Carloman Miguel, as a valiant warrior and brother-at-arms who gave all of his self to the Glory of Zeon. Alexander, though a gifted and fearless warrior, is not half the man his father was: our brother Carloman loved Zeon. Alexander loves only himself. He is a narcissist, and would bring ruin to Zeon were he to gain power over the Archduchy.”
The Warlords of Zeon, seldom in agreement on any matter, nod knowingly in agreement with Generalissimo Reglas’ assessment of the absent General Alexander Miguel. Once the Federation’s threat is thwarted, they would turn their attention to him…
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Zeon warships such as this Musai-Kai class battleship are readied for the Zeon Confederation Forces' confrontation with the Earth Federation Forces.
Spector turns the conversation back to the immediate concern, “Our first priority is to dislodge the Federation’s growing power base from the Jupiter, Asteroid Belt, and Martian spheres. My intelligence agents have confirmed that the Federation is militarizing the Jupitorius Colonies…under the guise of arming a ridiculous so-called ‘citizens’ militia.’”
“We’ll need to put a stop to that immediately,” Governess Constantinas concurs.
“The Jupitorius ‘militia’ or whatever they call it is just getting underway,” Generalissimo Reglas interjects, “We’ll contend with that soon enough, but our first priority should be the Federation’s Ceres’ Base in the Asteroid Belt. That’s already fully militarized and operational, and represents the largest hub of Federation power this far out into the Solar System.”
Von Bach rubs his eyes with his fingers, “We should have eliminated Ceres long ago…”
“We would have, had we not been so consumed fighting each other,” Lara says bitterly.
Before an uncomfortable silence is allowed to consume the conference, Viceroy Spector makes a resolution, “Here’s my suggestion: we’ll proceed on the Ceres and Jupitorius operations simultaneously. Our joint resources should be enough to support both operations, agreed?”
“Agreed,” Generalissimo Reglas says, “I can support you on the Jupitorius assault, Spector.”
Spector grins and nods, then turns to Von Bach and Constantinas, “Konrad, Lara…would you two take on Ceres?”
Von Bach responds with an emphatic “No,” his rage manifested in a face that has gone pepper red in seconds, “Do you regard me as a fool?! You and Reglas take on the soft target of those upstarts at Jupitorius while sending Constantinas and me to take the brunt of the Federation’s hardpoint at Ceres?! Go to hell and kiss the devil, Spector!”
Governess Lara Constantinas, no less outraged than Von Bach, but more cool-headed and diplomatic, intercedes with a measured, “We have all agreed to pool our resources, not divide them. Our collective strength will be required to overcome the Federation’s fortifications at Ceres. We either do it together, or we continue upon our separate paths.”
“Even if it means Zeon’s demise,” Von Bach adds darkly, his temper cooling somewhat.
Spector, disappointed at being unable to play his rivals off the Federation, finally accedes, “Very well, then. Reglas?”
Reglas grins ferociously as he replies, “If there’s war to be waged, I’m game.”
“Then it’s decided,” Spector says, “Taking on a target as well fortified as Ceres Base cannot be pursued without preparation. We’ll need a month to coordinate.”
“Then we must begin immediately,” Governess Constantinas says.
The Warlords of Zeon continue in greater detail their discussion of their plans to assault the Federation’s primary fortress in the Asteroid Belt. Resources will be marshaled for war against the hated Earthists and their pathetic Federation government and military.
************************************************** **********
While some are make plans for war, others make plans for life after war…
The Cupertino District of Woodhaven Colony is one of the most popular (and hence, expensive) residential neighborhoods in Jupitorius Colonies (or anywhere, for that matter). Designed and constructed with the newest terraforming and transplantation methods, Cupertino represents the most successful attempt yet at recreating Earth’s natural environment, as it had existed centuries earlier, before the advent of industrialization, within a space colony. Lush with green, flowered meadows, deep forests of alpine conifers, and assorted wildlife including many varieties of mammals, birds, and fish, Cupertino is an attractive community for those seeking a tranquil, idyllic lifestyle. The community has grown popular with young married couples looking to start families. Residing in Cupertino requires a robust financial profile…more than most military personnel (even comparatively well-paid Special Forces officers) can afford.
Not that that consideration deters Jolie Minh and Jonah Michaels, who are spending at least a part of their day of R&R scouting out a home they could move into together when the war is over.
Jolie smiles as she looks an unfurnished bedroom, larger than any she’d ever lived in.
Jonah puts his arms gently around her, kissing her on top of the head, “What do you see?”
“I see a playroom for the kids,” Jolie says wistfully, “Where they can have lots of fun.”
Jonah chuckles, “You’re thinking way, way ahead, aren’t you? Kids?”
Jolie turns to look up at Jonah earnestly, “If we’re gonna stay together, we’d better be having kids!”
Jonah rests his chin atop Jolie’s head, “Sure. How fast can you have them?”
Jolie gives Jonah a sly grin, “As fast as you can put ‘em into me. I mean…”
The couple laughs…intoxicated by dreams of their future together.
Jolie and Jonah disengage their embrace as Cupertino real estate agent James Wynne enters the room, proclaiming, “The best thing about this cottage is the surprising amount of space it offers. You’re looking at five full-size bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, den, formal living room, dining room, library/study area, and even an observation balcony accessible from the master bedroom.”
“I bet the price is full-sized too,” Jolie remarks, poking her head into one of the bedrooms.
“Price is negotiable,” Wynne says, “I offer a special discount to newlyweds. You two are married, I’m guessing?”
Jolie and Jonah exchange grins, and Jonah answers for them, “Well, not yet…”
“I see,” Wynne says pleasantly, “you two do look rather young. Still in your teens?”
The young couple nods in affirmation.
“That’s not a problem,” Wynne says reassuringly, “many of our buyers these days are younger. The wars have taken a heavy toll on the older population. People are getting married and settling down earlier now. You two are engaged, at least, right?”
Jolie and Jonah look at each other. This time, Jolie replies, “What does it matter? Are you a real estate agent or a marriage counselor?!”
Wynne continues to wear a pleasant smile despite Jolie’s snarky response, “It’s important before investing into something as costly as a home to be certain that you can support it, Miss. It saves everyone headaches down the line. May I be so bold as to ask what the two of you do for a living?”
Jolie’s response is an uncharacteristically hesitant, “Uh…”
Jonah, more forthright (and naïve), says plainly, “We’re officers in the Earth Federation Forces.”
“I see,” Wynne says tactfully, but his salesman’s enthusiasm clearly deflated.
Jolie kicks Jonah on the leg, then whispers to him, “Dummy! They don’t wanna sell to soldiers! They think we’ll die on them a few months into our mortgage payments!”
Jolie steps between Jonah and the real estate agent, and asks with all the boldness she can muster, “So just what kind of price are we looking at for this house, Mr. Wynne?”
Wynne pulls out a pocket calculator, punches in a sequence of numbers, and shows Jolie and Jonah a figure…a very, very large figure.
Jolie and Jonah’s eyes widen in dismay. The figure is the equivalent of their combined annual salaries…provided they continue serving in the Federal Forces for another twenty years and have no other expenses.
Pale-faced, Jolie says to Wynne, “Y’know, we’re gonna have to think about it. That’s A LOT of money…”
Wynne says, “Don’t take too long to think about it. Many people are interested in this cottage, and you don’t want to lose the opportunity.”
Knowing a dead sale when he sees one, Wynne leaves, and Jolie makes sure to take the opportunity to stick her tongue out at the real estate agent’s back.
“Come on, Jolie,” Jonah says, putting his arm around Jolie’s waist.
“Guess we’ll just have to find our dream home somewhere else,” Jolie says dejectedly, “Somewhere less expensive.”
“As long as we’re together, does it matter where we live?” Jonah says, kissing Jolie on the cheek.
Jolie brightens, giving Jonah a kiss back, “Guess not.”
The couple leaves the unaffordable house behind, pursuing their dreams elsewhere…
Episode 15 to be continued...