Earth: The Future is History Read Free Page A

holographic half-spheres,
centered around their leaned back, bulky chairs. All twenty-five
control units are positioned in a crescent around and above a large
area in the floor – the combat information display, C.I.D. – that
provides a real-time holographic representation of the Titan and
its surrounding area, along with dozens of pertinent information
channels about the battlefield. In contrast with everything else
there, the Admiral’s command stand is simple, just a metallic
platform surrounded by a plain handrail, placed halfway on the
empty side of the crescent formed by the control units, well above
everything else in the command area.
    As he enters the meeting room, he stops for a
moment and quickly checks that his white and blue uniform is
straight.
    Quantum entanglement communication and
holographic projection makes the empty area suddenly transform in a
lively populated room, with all the War Council members arguing
around a long, rectangular table; the President seems agitated,
arguing with a new face, but is interrupted by the Admiral joining
the meeting. Secretary Nazari makes a subtle gesture, inviting
Sterrow to take his place. The ten war councilmembers are seated on
both sides of the table, with the president on the far end. The
only person he doesn’t know, dressed in a well-fitted silver suit
and unbuttoned white shirt, doesn’t seem to have a place, instead
just standing next to the President’s chair.

    Back on Earth, the Admiral’s hologram appears
just as the room settles down. All eyes are directed at the
President.
    President Locke: “Welcome Admiral. “
    Standing straight, just opposite of the
President, Admiral Sterrow quickly salutes: “Thank you, sir. It’s
good to see you again.”
    President Locke: “Likewise, Admiral. At ease.
As you can see the entire War Council was assembled; today we’re
holding a special meeting. But before we get started, there’s
something you need to been informed about, a somewhat recent
development…”
    Admiral Sterrow: “Sir?”
    President Locke, considered by many too young
for his position, is sitting in a large, comfortable chair. As
always, very careful about his appearance, he straightens his
striped tie as he informs the Admiral with an indifferent voice:
“Last year it became apparent that Earth’s civilian population was
no longer satisfied with our… strict leadership. World-wide riots
started and things degraded fast. People were demanding a drastic
change in how decisions were made. We were left with only two
options: turn our weapons against the population, or accept the
Civilian Council in the decision making process.”
    Admiral Sterrow: “I take it we now have a
joint civilian-military leadership?”. He turns his head to the new
face in the room.
    President Locke: “Yes. Meet Alexander
Hofmann, Admiral. He’s the…”
    Alexander Hofmann, with a subtle smile on his
face, doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. Just as the
President is trying to make the introduction, he starts walking
towards the Admiral’s hologram, analyzing him, and abruptly ending
his sentence: “Call me Alexei, Mr. Sterrow. I’ve been selected by
the Civilian Council to attend all high-ranking meetings and
observe, maybe ask a few questions every now and then. Don’t worry,
I won’t get in your way. I’m just here to understand… how things
work.”
    President Locke, visibly upset by Alexei’s
lack of etiquette: “Don’t interrupt me again, Hofmann! Allowing you
here…”
    Still smiling, with a calm but firm voice,
Alexei again interrupts the President: “You forget, Mr. Locke. I’m
not here because you allow it; and I’m not here as a courtesy
extended by your leadership. I don’t have “President” before my
name and I don’t need it as I represent the Civilian Council; we
hold the same amount of power now; we have the same weight in any
decision.” His smile fades and his look is more serious: “Don’t
confuse me with one of