Reaching For The Stars!

[HEF]

Friday, 20th March 2020

T minus launching in 3...


Director's Log:

Long Range Scans from our probes have finally collected the most important data from AN-2020!

The exploration phase of our space mission has suspended.

Our community of distinguished ladies and gentlemen from various backgrounds who survived the cataclysm of the dreaded COVID -19 pandemic have already completed several vigorous training trials that should prepare them for the next phase: Seeding Departure!


T minus launching in 2...



Additional Resource Pods replete with digital cameras currently on AN-2020 have pinpointed a suitable location where our team can make planetfall safely.

Our starship has been outfitted to compensate for wider visual range.

I'm hearing rumors two other space mission competitors have glean the same Long Range Scan data provided by their respective Sponsors' probe.

Fortunately, one of the competitors is a long-time ally.

The other is a by-product of Old Earth; extremely hostile & greedy.

T minus launching in 1...




Legal Defense Fund has requested from World Congress authorization for any additional raw materials we may need to ensure a clinic is available to provide healthcare to our colonists once we arrive on AN-2020.

Mark...!




There is a lot of excitement on New Earth; after 3 long years since March 2020, we will prove to the world that space travel is not a waste of time and resources despite the petty bickering from opponents of the space program.

World Congress has supported us from the very beginning.

If anyone is wasting time, it is the political opposition who has decided to follow us to AN-2020.

We're already on our way with no delay.

We will deal with them later.

 

[HEF]

Saturday, 21st March 2o2o

PLANETFALL!

Director's Log:

Our starship has arrived far ahead of schedule.

Planet AN-2020 looks nearly identical to our holographic simulations!

The crew has been revived from their cryo-sleep and are sluggishly rallying construction builders to lay out the foundation to our new home.





All essential systems are nominal. Our designated ROVER has been deployed.

There are unknown alien life forms that do not take kindly to intruders treading on their natural habitat thus a lightly-armed expedition team was essential to ROVER's survival and strict orders to remain non-threatening to the inhabitants of AN-2020.

Our scientists have begun their research to discover and learn everything our people need to know about these strange creatures that we may co-exist.







Our increased visual range indicates within a week, our most trusted ally, Daoming Sochua of Pan-Asian Cooperative has also landed on nearby safe and secure land mass with no difficulties.



I contacted her immediately!

Daoming Sochua tells me that our pursuer from New Earth should be the last visitor of AN-2020 to arrive; that we should prepare for military conflict as soon as possible considering he has developed a reputation for being undiplomatic and belligerent.

She suggests denying him any kind of an advantage on this planet we settled.

I agreed.



Traveling so far from New Earth leaves me to wonder which dilemma is more troublesome; dealing with an inexperienced, narcissistic leader of a mindless cult from Old Earth or aggressive unknown alien wildlife our brave scouts have recently encountered on the planet's surface?

My affinity choices are numerous.

 

[HEF]

Friday, 27th March 2o2o

CONFRONTATION

Director's Log:

ROVER salvaged the wreckage of a nearby crashed satellite of some kind.



It had protected a cache of information from its observations in orbit, which our expedition team relayed immediately to our most talented computer scientists for analysis.

ROVER had concluded: communications data found on its hard drive can be useful, however, the Black Box is still missing vital information about the previous owner of this alien device.

A closer examination reveals the hardware was deliberately destroyed; as if attacked before hitting the planet's surface.

Apparently, we're not the only visitors to survey AN-2020.








Earlier today, the crew and I had the unfortunate experience of greeting the Rear Admiral of North Sea Alliance, whose Colony Lander was spotted north east of our location.







"My name is Duncan Hughes of North Sea Alliance! Look, I'll get straight to the point... I only accepted this mission because my Sponsor has intimate knowledge of an alien species monitoring Old Earth for years and we know that they're planning an invasion. The coronavirus pandemic was an alien bio-attack designed to weaken our people and our way of life. You know it and I know it!"

I tried to reason with him, "Understood. You don't know this for certain. There was no need to destroy the alien's satellite."

"I'm on a catch and kill assignment out here. Which means if something looks dangerous, I am authorized to take it out based on my terms and my choosing."

"Mr. Hughes, the Legal Defense Fund has a different set of goals. World Congress wishes to understand what happened to New Earth through proper research but how can I accomplish this if you crush, kill & destroy all evidence to the contrary?"

"You really wanna know? By not leaving any evidence behind."

"Do you have the missing Black Box from the satellite you destroyed?"

"Wouldn't you like to know!"

End Transmission.
*********************




"Premier Sochua...?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I overheard everything."

"Think you can get a group of freshly trained recruits ready to join my group for a confrontation?"


Her expression changed from a frown to a little smile.

 

[HEF]

Monday, 30th March 2o2o

AFFINITY PROGRESS




Director's Log:

We fled New Earth because it was getting worse faster than we could fix it.

Seven years ago, the consequences of the Great Mistake led to the proliferation of the COVID -19 pandemic engulfing our planet due to incompetence, inexperience and demagoguing; arguing against cold-hard facts and our greatest scientists.

If Premier Sochua and I do not confront Admiral Hughes here and now on AN-2020, would repeat the Great Mistake.







I had a dream last night.

In that dream, envisioned a constellation in the stars. This vision motivated me to pursue a Harmonious Supremacy within my newly commissioned Legal Defense Force that will lead the path to victory.

An RSVP sent by General Douglass to inspect the troops was scheduled for next Friday.

 

[HEF]

Thursday, 2nd April 2o2o

BREATHE AGAIN

Director's Log:

Reading the CO [Communiques Online] of the crew-turned-citizens, I'd say the overall mood is: ambivalent.






"Blessed are those that dwell within the machine, for theirs is true freedom from pain." ~ Aleph 1 - St. Zeno, Hagiography of the Blessed Intelligences



"We discarded the booster rockets which got us off Earth. Why shouldn't we discard some of those Earth genes, now that better ones are available?" ~ Essays on the Promethean




"I'm grateful for the opportunity to come here, and I'm grateful that we are living up to the expectations of the people who sent us." ~ From the Pioneer's Daily Reflection




"To create a machine to work your will is to create your destiny." ~ Aphorisms for Practical People




"If you can, touch a Siege Worm as it moves by. That will teach you all you need to know about the insignificance of humanity." ~ Pastor Jack's Homiletics



"This morning I saw flocks in flight, herds moving about the plain, and listened to the sounds of water mixing with the morning chorus, and wept at the beauty of it all." ~ Zhu Ruoji, Poetry in the New Garden



"Yes, homesteading this world is hard, but all the people pitch in and somehow the work gets done." ~ Penniless Ben's Almanac



"How much joy can this new planet hold, when all I can think of is everything I've left behind?" ~ Phaedra, Lamentation for Planetfall



"I wonder what life was like on Earth when the whole atmosphere was breathable?" ~ Unattributed personal log fragment, Seeding Departure




I thought, "Am I really that old?"

I can remember a time as a little child when one could freely walk about in the city streets without fear of a highly contagious disease in breathable air.

I remember meeting and greeting everyone in my neighborhood without a facial mask.




In certain territories, AN-2020's surface atmosphere maintains a high concentration of miasma with properties very similar to COVID -19; our scientists have developed a antitoxin that easily clears miasma yet have not developed such a solution in comparison to New Earth's uninhabitable atmosphere.

The native creatures here seem unaffected by miasma.

Authorization to collect a few aggressive specimens to determine why is a necessary risk I'm willing to take.




I'm feeling more and more confident every day now that troop recruitment has increased exponentially as this new generation is highly motivated under the leadership of General F. Douglass.

They are all keenly aware what is at stake here.





An inspiring Communiques chat with Premier Sochua reveals her troop recruitment has increased 3 times greater than ours!

"Your leadership is an example for us all. Give us a time and place, we will join forces. We will never allow what happened on November 2016 again.", Sochua promised.

 

[HEF]

Tuesday, 7th April 2o2o

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Director's Log:

This evening received a high priority classified message from Senior Chief Scientist Mae Jemison and Security Officer Duhamel Burton which prompted their appearance into my office immediately.



LDF Security Officer Burton spoke first,

"Our hunting detail encountered a herd of aggressive specimens we thought were normal in size, that is, until we realized the mother came along to protect its young."

Burton paused briefly to gather his thoughts.

"We lost half of our unit bringing this thing down, Director. I hope this was worth the trouble."

Nodding my head up and down apologetically replied, "I understand. I will arrange funeral services for every single person we lost. I'm so very sorry."

Before the tension could get any hotter, Senior Chief hands me her data pad.

I quickly perused the autopsy report:



The_curved_vertebrae_of_a_large_alien_species.

This_spinal_column_appears_to_belong_to_a_massive_native_species.

While_no_living_specimen_has_been_found,_the_remains_of_this_creature_have_been_periodically_found_in_remote_areas.

The_irregular_shape_of_the_vertebrae_led_to_the_coining_of_the_creature's_name.


"Cute name for an alien specimen." I quipped.

Jemison looked at me showing very little emotion.

"Please continue your research and keep me updated as you go along. We need solutions to our Covid - 19 pandemic problem over at New Earth. This sample may be the key to unlock that solution."






"That's not all, Ma'am. There's more... approximately on or about a few days ago, Sergeant - At - Arms tells me an unauthorized person accessed a highly secured data node directly from Lasercom Satellite 1 while in orbit."

Burton hands me his data pad.

"Is this one of our astronauts?" I asked.

"Negative." He said flatly.

 

[HEF]

Thursday, 9th April 2o2o

GIFTS FROM HOME

Overseas, tension levels are extremely high and nerves are frayed as Defense Conditions are set a few notches above normal on the noble citizens of Tiangong.

The USS Grace Meng has been at General Quarters in concert with the other naval submarine vessels in Premier Daoming Sochua's fleet ever since First Contact with Admiral Hughes.



In the Southern region of AN-2020, the Grace Meng discovers an important crash site ; a partially sunken Colony Lander from New Earth!

"Definitely not one of ours, Ma'am!" remarked Commander Ted Lieu.

"Say again?"

"I repeat, not one of ours. Request for PAC Cruiser USS Judy Chu to immediately escort Expedition Team 5 to assist in salvage mission! Environment heavily populated by aggressive aquatic creatures." barked the excited submarine commander.

"Say again?!"

"Wrecked Colony Lander's alphabetical identification on its hull reads: ARC!"

 

[HEF]

Wednesday, 15th April 2o2o

HELLISH UTOPIA

Executive Director Neil deGrasse Tyson informed me in our last meeting Lasercom Satellite 1's orbital routine had been intentionally taken offline manually.

This setback will cost a great deal of time and resources; downing the space craft, performing a complete computer diagnostic, re-booting its computer processing unit and eventually rescheduling a re-launch back into orbit... or else lose our primary means of communication with National Aeronautics and Space Administration on New Earth.

Our only way back home.

A simple problem Executive Director Tyson has trained for many hours.

My problem, on the other hand, remains unresolved inside the barren corridors of a maximum security prison.

Two suspects have been apprehended and detained by LDF security before anymore tampering could be made to the device.



"Please_State_Full_Name_Rank_And_Request" prompted prison A.I. to Cellblock Beta-1.

"Ifill, Sherrilyn... Director. Request permission to enter."

"BIOSCAN_Complete._Permission_Granted._You_May_Enter."

 

[HEF]

Saturday, 18th April 2o2o

ANCIENT PROGRAM OF AN ANCIENT BOARD GAME



The Thoughtful Chess Set may be a network connected virtual reality experience, however, Daoming Sochua finds the vintage style of Atari 2600's updated version of Video Chess integrated within Communiques Online a much more satisfying stress reliever.

"Black_To_Move._How_Should_Black_Proceed_?" prompted Atari 2600 Video Chess A.I.

"One minute..." said Premier Sochua pausing the game as she selected another application on CO:

***PAC/USS_Judy_Chu/NAV-PERSN/Captain_Log/Cmdr_Wang_Yaping***

Salvage Report Regarding ARC Part IV

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Great Mistake pretending to be an American President desperate for a quick fix appointed the ARC which consequently led to his assassination coordinated by several resistance groups.

The American Reclamation Corporation also known as the ARC was legally liable for manufacturing a dangerously unproven vaccine for the virus which further exacerbated the rising death toll globally by 70%.



A clearer picture emerged from COVID-19’s decidedly deadly toll on Black Americans, political leaders demanded a reckoning of the systemic policies they say have made many African Americans far more vulnerable to the virus, including inequity in access to healthcare and economic opportunity.

The space program in North America provided political leaders, scientists & healthcare experts an alternative solution to the COVID-19 pandemic problem: Operation Mass Exodus from New Earth or OMEN.

Suzanne Marjorie Fielding became disenchanted with the ARC's unscrupulous business practices and retired from the organization with a incredibly generous golden parachute.

Fielding started her own enterprise to assist Legal Defense Fund's participation and ideas in the space program to create a more just society colonizing other worlds.



For the first time in the organization's history, the American Reclamation Corporation lost a Sponsorship bidding competition to a well-established civil and human rights law firm, Legal Defense Fund under the leadership of Director Sherrilyn Ifill with the help of Suzanne Fielding.

****************************

"I still have a lot of questions, Commander Yaping. All this time, ARC landed on AN-2020 before we did?" Sochua mused to herself aloud.

Sochua input her questions into Communiques and sent the encrypted message directly to the military vessel at sea.

She then switched application back to her Atari 2600 game.



"Castle queen side." she said finally.

 

[HEF]

Sunday, 26th April 2o2o


"Are you certain, Daoming?" asked Suzanne Fielding.

"I found the Salvage Report on ARC hard to believe myself, however, the evidence far outweighs any and all doubts." answered Sochua.

"If Moderski is the current CEO of ARC then we truly have a fight on our hands." said Fielding in-between tapping keys on her data pad while shaking her head in contempt.

"...and I cannot thank you enough for the extra hands on Liberia's energy grid integrated roads and bridges." Fielding added.



"We are humbled by your generosity. Thank you, and let us continue to build on this work. Just remember me in the up-coming Planetary Governor election." said Sochua managing a friendly nod and decent smile.

"Now if you'll excuse me," she continued politely, "I have a formal ceremony to attend. As Premier of AN-2020, I am to welcome Cooperative Space Agency's next generation of scientists and engineers."

"Goodbye and stay safe, Premier." said Fielding closing the transmission.

 

[HEF]

Thursday, 30th April 2o2o

PERFECT LANDING

"My name is Sherrilyn Ifill. I'm the Director of this Colony. Let me preface this visit by reminding you your rights are still protected under the United States Constitution and all other founding documents for as long as you're on United States property. If you feel that your rights are being violated, we will provide you a lawyer for representation."

Ifill sat at a table between two Legal Defense Force security officers standing stoically beside her left and right flank across from the prisoner in hand-cuffs.

"Please place your thumb print here indicating that you understand and acknowledge your rights." pointing a single finger at her data pad, sliding it towards the prisoner.

The detainee tilted towards the restraints and the device, eyes lowered.

The cuffs tightened around her wrists the more she struggled and grew cumbersome reaching her left thumb onto the designated mark.

"Either hand will do..." instructed Ifill patiently.

After the imprint signature, the woman pushed the data pad back, keeping her eyes lowered.

"Thank you. I know about your Colony Lander in the southern hemisphere of this planet..." said Ifill picking up the data pad.

The woman's eyes pivoted from her bound hands to the direction of Sherrilyn's voice as if by command.

This was Ifill's chance to capitalize on the detainee's attention, "...and the crew manifest records..."

The woman raised her head, sitting upright in her seat; this time with attentiveness, perhaps, even curiosity; She possessed the most weary stare Ifill had seen in long time.

"...and the American Reclamation Corporation, April Ghifferson." said Ifill checking her notes.

"We are at a very critical moment in our Colony's history. I believe we may have found a very important piece of a puzzle that can unravel our COVID-19 pandemic problem on New Earth."

The detainee looked at Ifill with assurance, inhaled a small breath, "Who is your Sponsor?" she asked, almost a whisper.

This reaction nearly startled Sherrilyn. She had expected the silent treatment from this detainee to go on for hours, maybe even days.

Ifill obliged the question, "Legal Defense Fund. The United States first and foremost civil and human rights law firm. You might have heard of us?"

The detainee blinked twice, almost appearing confused.



I must admit, thought Ifill; National Aeronautics and Space Administration survival training in combination with military training is an invaluable skillset.

This astronaut is in good physical condition for someone stranded on this planet since 2022.



How else could any other average human being survive the ordeal of planetfall malfunction?



Colony Lander 655-ARC specifications and electronics were deemed shoddy and outdated revealed Pan-Asian Cooperative's Salvage Report findings; Ms. Ghifferson's oral testimony supported every piece of recovered evidence.



Without the vital hull materials required for shielding would explain why the spacecraft could not complete the landing sequence properly entering AN-2020's atmosphere.



Without Resource Pods for guidance, a human astronaut improvised an emergency landing sequence on her own and succeeded!

 

[s0nny80y]

Excellent narrative. A++

 

[HEF]

Tuesday, 19th May 2o2o

11th HOUR


"Unconscionable. Reckless and unconscionable." said Sherrilyn Ifill in protest.



"A seven zero niner touchdown...? Manually. That is unheard of, Sherrilyn. She's perfect for this assignment." insisted Fielding.



"How so?" asked Ifill.



"Gifts and her partner was able to escape a damaged, submerged Colony Lander unscathed, effectively infiltrate our Colony, impersonate the Orbital Officer in-Charge, gain access to orbital control and hack Lasercom Satellite 1 security measures while in orbit. She can do this."



"Suzanne... I appreciate your counsel. I really, really do, however, I'm going to have to disagree. We should set an example of rational & civil discourse, instead of contributing to the worst current trends."

"Admiral Hughes is incapable of having a civil discussion because he's got a contract to fulfill." said Fielding.

"Let's not forget why we're here in the first place, Director. Let's not forget what happened at New Earth... or should I say, what's left of it from the COVID-19 pandemic." continued Fielding.



"My responsibility is direct resources to assist Dr. Leana Wen's lab sample. Should we find a cure for COVID -19, I just want to make certain that our people have equitable access to that vaccine back on New Earth. Then, there's Lasercom Satellite 1." said Ifill.

"Even if we could get Lasercom Satellite 1 operational again, Hughes will just blast the damn thing out of orbit! The only thing standing between us and home is North Sea Alliance. Pan-Asian Cooperative is on our side. What do you do when someone is standing in your way? What have we always done?" asked Fielding.

 

[HEF]

Thursday, 28th May 2o2o

THE BIONIC WOMAN

"You've got my attention, Suzanne, schedule an appointment with Senior Chief Jemison but remember this..."

"--- no one deserves an unfair death sentence not even someone as despicable and toxic as Duncan Hughes because there's always a chance to reason with someone. We defend and we educate. That's what Legal Defense Fund is all about. Make certain that Gifts captures him and bring him back to this facility alive."

"Do not ignore this." said Ifill taking a sip from her cup of tea.

"Yes, Ma'am, you have my word." said Fielding gathering her materials, heading out the door.







An armed LDF detail escorts April Ghifferson at the Barack Obama Institute of Advance Technology and Science, one of the latest and most prestigious bionics lab constructed in Liberia where Senior Chief Science Officer Mae Jemison welcomed them for a solemn visit.

"It's an extremely delicate surgical procedure, even for dated technology such as this." cautioned Jemison, while the nurse prepared April Ghifferson's right arm for a sedative injection with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Gifts?"



Ghifferson sat quietly and motionless on the operating table.

She slowly nod her head up and down,

"Yes".

"Good. Don't worry about a thing. I'll be in the upper balcony observing the operation. When you wake up, you'll feel like a brand new woman. We'll all be better, faster and much stronger together."

The nurse gently laid Ghifferson's body into a horizontal position; Ghifferson closed her eyes and drifted into deep REM sleep.





The_Following_Information_Is_Classified:_Top_Secret





Clearance_Authorization_Level_6

April Ghifferson

Sex:_Female

Age:_26





Past_Profession:_ARC_Astronaut

Present_Profession:_LDF_Agent

Present_Residence:_Liberia_AN-2020





Operational_Procedure:_Bionic_Enhancements_And_Implants

Estimated_Cost:_Classified

Agent_Codename:_Gifts

 

[HEF]

Wednesday, 12th August 2o2o

SPACED OUT



"Can you hear me now?"

April Ghifferson's artificial hearing responses registered positive across all sensory data.

"Very good. Tell me about Michael Moderski."



"We came here for Firaxite." answered April in her unconsciousness state.

"But Moderski never told us about spacecraft discrepancies."

 

[HEF]

Saturday, 19th September 2o2o

DREAMCAST





"Open your eyes. Open them again. Look ahead of yourself. Look ahead again." ~ Kavitha Thakur, Glorious Key of the Exodite Tantra: 5th Unfolding

'Call it Divine Oculus Foresight or call it whatever you please...', April Ghifferson's thoughts racing through her partially digital mind inside the electronic pipeline of Communique Online.



'I FEEL RE-BORN!'

 

[HEF]

Wednesday, 23rd September 2o2o

Achievement Unlocked: Light This Candle






Nickolas Kouris had never imagined an electronics engineering space assignment so dangerous that required him to stand a constant 24 hour Command Information Center lockdown watch for several months.

He had always believed such a condition was something basic training commanders created for impressionable recruits in boot camp back at Old Earth.

The rest of the crew are all starting to grow impatient day by day realizing the rewards for this assignment is simply not worth it.

The Admiral is in complete denial; this is the hill North Sea Alliance will be defeated on.

Someone must inform him.



"This space mission is not going exactly as planned, sir." said Kouris observing sensors on his monitor.

"We can't hold out on lockdown forever. This battle condition is dwindling Life Support at minimal levels which puts a dent into our production to expand our military. I highly recommend arranging some kind of compromise or surrender."


"Maintain your bearing, Kouris. Surrender is not in the cards 'cause North Sea Alliance ain't going anywhere without Firaxite." Admiral Hughes answered back patting his holstered blaster on his lower right hip.

Admiral Hughes regretfully thought to himself, '...or else I'm a dead man.'









"Sir, we've just received another notification alert! Legal Defense Force just launched 2 unidentified projectiles simultaneously!"



Hughes quickly turned his attention towards Kouris' monitor.

"---and it appears Pan-Asian Cooperative's fleet is preparing for a direct confrontation." said Kouris somewhat relieved.

 

[HEF]

Tuesday, 20th October 2o2o

LAW OF MATHEMATICS





"Director Ifill?"

"Yes, I'm here, Mr. Tyson. Got any good news for me?"



"Indeed, I do Ma'am! Thanks to our escort, Lasercom Satellite 1 is finally back in orbit! Had to modify its external design, make a few technical changes here and there but... as far as I know, we're ready for transmission to New Earth."



"All systems normal, Ms. Ifill. Consider this the longest long distance phone call anyone has ever made!"





On the orbital ascent...



"NAV Alpha reached, over." reported Ghifferson.



"On the orbital descent, proceed to NAV Beta."



Ghifferson's voice cybernetically clicked on and off in response, "Roger that. Proceed to NAV Beta, aye."






On the planet's surface, multiple Pan-Asian Cooperative military ships surround Deepcastle's offshore location from all directions keeping Admiral Hughes' headquarters and docked sea vessels contained.

USS Judy Chu... --- Arriving!
USS Grace Meng... --- Arriving!

Carrier has arrived! USS Tsai Ingwen... --- Arriving!

USS Eugene Trinh... --- Arriving!
USS Taylor Wang... --- Arriving!
USS Carissa Yip... --- Arriving!


***** Incoming Transmission *****



"Outstanding! All we are required to do is distract the dotard while Gifts coordinates her strike team." instructed Daoming Sochua.



"Remember, the goal is to protect Lasercom Satellite 1 and the orbital plane. Make certain nothing from NSA launches in their direction." said Sochua before closing her Communiques transmission.

All units in response, "Aye."

The USS Carissa Yip received the order to fire the first shot from its starboard bow.

"Give 'em one." ordered Captain Yaping.



The volley struck the fortified walls of Deepcastle's stronghold.

"Give 'em another." repeated the Captain.

Other Pan-Asian Cooperative ships join in unison; firing slug after slug of tungsten SABR rounds.



Admiral Hughes' substandard forces proved no match against Pan-Asian Cooperative's devastating shore bombardment razing every single building, fortified wall, defensive gun turrets, including NSA's deadly orbital cannon leaving plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.

Beat of the war drum grew louder and louder; USS Tsai Ingwen's Alpha Strike penetrated deep into NSA's Defense Perimeter as wave after wave of Tacjets swarm the compound.







Thanks to Daoming Sochua's military forces clearing the way April Ghifferson's orbital plane lands safely 5 miles north of Deepcastle's frosty enclave.

'It's a good thing they found our Colony Lander first.' thought and prayed Ghifferson.

'None of this would be possible'

A chill fog billowing from April Ghifferson's helm exhaust port was a constant reminder how accurate General F. Douglass' mission briefing covering the frigid temperatures of North Sea Alliance's facilities compared to the warmer and comfortable Legal Defense Fund and Pan-Asian Cooperative settlements along the central hemisphere of AN-2020.



Would not be difficult for Ghifferson to set loose trained Xeno swarms while NSA remains in lockdown; an alien infestation that will surely cause all NSA crew members to evacuate their combat stations.





This intriguing revelation made infiltration that much easier once she made her way further into North Sea Alliance territory.






What many don't realize about Suzanne Fielding's take no prisoners approach to corporate growth is that it is the result of numerous failures and years of hardship.

These setbacks, however, only strengthened her resolve.

"We have Duncan Hughes on Communiques, Director."



"DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM?" demanded Duncan Hughes.

"General Douglass commands a peacekeeping force. Consider this a pre-emptive strike, Mr. Hughes." said Ifill.

"A pre-emptive strike?! Are you witches outta ya minds? My entire city is in flames!" he yelled.

"You should count your blessings, Admiral." warned Ifill.

He looked at me puzzled as if to express why.



"Huh?"

"The only reason you're still alive today is because of me. Suzanne Fielding is far less forgiving than I am... and I outrank her in authority. I intend to arrest and detain you for trial back at New Earth. Isn't that right, Ms. Johnson?"

Kristen Johnson spoke up, “Indeed. An effective and fairly functioning jury is critical to our democracy. Our courts have maintained the integrity of our juries and thereby our democracy. Mr. Hughes can expect a fair trial.”

The look of disappointment on Duncan Hughes's face indicated that he had nothing more to say except:

***** End Transmission *****




April Ghifferson crept silently through the crumbling empty corridors inside Deepcastle.

She can hear the chitter-chattering sound of the Xeno swarm growing louder and louder all around her.

'Little buggers work fast!' she thought to herself walking a bit quicker; deeper and deeper into the complex until reaching her final destination: Duncan Hughes' Command Center.

There he sat in his command seat; waiting.

His overall mood; seething.

"I was expecting a real fight... and LDF sends ...some chick." sneered Duncan Hughes as he stood up from his chair.

He loosened the velcro attachment on his right hip blaster holster.

Drawing his weapon; fired his blaster aiming for her center mass.

KATOW!

--- missing his target. Ghifferson's evasive speed was but a blur.

Hughes, an expert sharpshooter, was fast but not fast enough.

KATOW!!!

He fired again and again, missing the fast blur.

KATOW!!!
KATOW!!!
KATOW!!!

Ghifferson ducked under the nearest engineering console platform for cover.

"Listen Hughes, we don't have long before this place becomes completely infested. If we don't get outta here, we'll be eaten alive!"

She carefully plucked a hidden device from her utility pocket, throwing the projectile directly into Hughes' direction.

The device in actuality, a scarab, attached itself to his right hand in mid-flight!

The creature's bio-electrical sting forced Hughes' grip to go limp, dropping the weapon.

Into the ventilation system crawled the scarab to join the other alien bugs chewing electronic equipment.

Ignoring his excruciating pain, raised both arms in a boxing stance, "C'mon!"

Accepting his challenge, Ghifferson rose from her hiding place; held a similar fighting stance.

Without hesitation, Ghifferson charged Duncan Hughes directly; the melee ensued as both fighters traded blow for blow in a contest of raw strength and endurance.

Unfortunately, Hughes began to tire from his injuries.

His massive weight bogging down his reflexes; weakened right hand a useless stump.

Ghifferson can clearly see her opponent showing fatigue; for the time being, he is like a veritable punching bag to her.

Then came the flurry of kicks.

Her right boot struck Hughes' left side of his torso; she kicked him again, this time striking the left side of his buttocks.

Dazed but not quite out of the fight, Hughes manage to trip Ghifferson with a fierce lower kick causing her to fall abruptly on her chest; Hughes hoovered over her limp body, placing his left boot directly onto the back of her head attempting to crush her neck.

"GET THE HELL OFF MY NECK!!!" yelled Ghifferson.

She reached behind herself with both hands, grappled his boot; flipped him onto his back.

Hughes landed on his hindpart with a loud THUD!

Ghifferson quickly regained her footing and rushed towards him, grabbed him tightly by his neck with her right hand lifting all 380 pounds of Hughes' body weight; her left fist clenched.

"U-URK!" squeeked Hughes gasping for oxygen, eyes wide open, frantically using both hands to release her grip but it was of no use; her super-human strength was simply too great.

"I... I... can't... breathe..." wheezed Hughes, eyes bulging.

Ghifferson held onto him for four minutes and twenty-one half seconds.

Hughes let out a guttural groan before drifting into unconsciousness; she released her vise-like grip, dropping him onto the deck.

"Yeah... I know." she said looking down at him breathing very heavily.







'Almost forgot something.' thought Ghifferson looking around the crumbling Command Center.



Aside from the loud, chewing sounds of the Xeno swarm; she listened carefully; enhanced bionic hearing that can detect the faint pulse of an energy beacon emanating behind the bulkhead she stood next to.



Daoming Sochua Communiques chimed in, "Look closely. A gift from me to you."



To Ghifferson's surprise, an infrared mode remotely activated her point-of-view; objects from her perspective glowed in florescent wireframe and bright hues.

Apparently, an additional bionic implant no one informed her about during surgery.



'Wait... I see it!'

She thrust her right hand; breaking through the hollow area where inside a transparent fiberglass container held the coveted Black Box.

Gripping the transparent casing she pulled with one great motion spilling debris onto the deck.



"Got it!" Ghifferson loudly proclaimed triumphed.










"This just in. A war averted that could have turned into one of the bloodiest in the history of AN-2020 all ended with the arrest of Rear Admiral Duncan Hughes, the despot leader of North Sea Alliance."



"According to some sources the conflict between North Sea Alliance and Legal Defense Force is believed to have something to do with a mysteriously half-submerged Colony Lander launched from New Earth years before our arrival. Thanks to the first response teams deployed by Pan-Asian Cooperative, there were no civilian casualties."



"In other news, the excited people of Tiangong celebrate democracy as they make special preparations for the inauguration of AN-2020's first elected Planetary Governor, Daoming Sochua scheduled by the end of the fiscal year."



"This is Weijia Jiang, live at Tiangong, PAC-TV."






Meanwhile back at Liberia...

"Well done." congratulated Director Ifill expressing a sigh of relief. "Although..."

"Sherrilyn... you may not agree with my methods but Gifts got the job done, correct?" said Fielding with a smirk; her right hand display of two crossed fingers.

"What about the Black Box? ...and Firaxite? Now that we understand how valuable Firaxite is we should patent this discovery. Each new mineral on this planet represents an opportunity for uncontested ownership of said resource." she said, her crossed fingers gesture transitioning into rubbing her thumb and forefingers to signify capital.

Lots and lots of capital.

"I have a better idea. After we uncover its true secrets, I’m saving the Sporadic Listener for the time capsule." Director Ifill said placing the mysterious item inside her armored briefcase, closing it shut. "Come walk with me to Orbital Command Center. I want to show you something."

 

[HEF]

Tuesday, 27th October 2o2o

EMANCIPATION ANTICIPATION









Director's Log:

Now that we have re-established contact, we must pave the way for our return.

Our next step will be the construction of a Warp Gate - a massive, planetary Wonder, far larger than any project we have undertaken.

It will be worth it, no matter the cost.

The people of New Earth need us now, more than ever.




"Cooperative Space Agency have started construction on a Secret Project before the election." said Director Sherrilyn Ifill.

"Their best scientists and engineers have found more practical uses for Firaxite other than building wealth or weapons systems."

"What could possibly be greater than building wealth?" asked Suzanne Fielding.






Inside Orbital Command Center's main lobby both of them entered an elevator; going up.

The moment she and Director Ifill reached Orbital Command Center's Arrivals Platform; Fielding's eyes widened as the elevator doors open leading into a very crowded hallway filled with spectators watching through windows what is happening below.

Following Director Ifill up another flight of stairs to an upper level; more spectators, extra crowded than the lower level.

Most them of looking out of windows basked in the glow of AN-2020's brightest sun.

Fielding slowly walked towards the window; standing beside Ifill captivated by the horizon as far as the eyes can see!

The Observation Platform level, high above the city of Liberia reveals the most spectacular view of a construction site below.



"Oh... I see. Impressive. What is it?" she asked.

"Planetary Governor-elect Sochua calls it a Warp Gate." said Ifill.