Earth: The Future is History Read Free Page B

your errand boys. I don’t even understand
why your position is still called “President”; you and your
predecessors were never elected, your government is nothing more
than a war council and all leadership thriving under you is nothing
more than a corrupt gathering of mindless warmongers; any values
the World Alliance had were lost… if there were any to begin with;
any respect and support you ever had from civilians has degraded
into hatred. My point, “Mr. President”, is that if I want to
interrupt you, I…”
    President Locke quickly opens his mouth to
respond, but before he gets the chance, secretary Nazari firmly
interrupts them both: “Gentlemen! Don’t we have somewhat more
pressing matters to discuss?”
    President Locke: “…”
    Alexei: “…”
    His many years of dealing with politics leave
Admiral Sterrow unimpressed by the younger men’s bickering. He
tries to break the silence: “The invasion is advancing according to
schedule; the initial unit production is almost complete and most
of the machinery is already operational. Except for the fact that
we had a minor intrusion yesterday, nothing… noteworthy happened
since my last debriefing.”
    Alexei: “I wasn’t present during the last
debriefing. In fact, I wasn’t present during any debriefing. And
considering that now you don’t answer only to Mr. Locke, I’m going
to ask you to explain a few things for me.”
    The ten councilmembers, sitting quietly and
observing so far, now seem more agitated; they clearly don’t agree
with a civilian presence in their War Council, asking questions.
But Alexei doesn’t seem to even notice them.
    Admiral Sterrow: “With all due respect, sir,
we simply don’t have the time to sit around conference tables. The
invasion has entered its most critical phase and with yesterday’s
events, I need to start coordinating…”
    Alexei: “That’s exactly the point of this
meeting. We’re not so sure the current plan for this invasion is in
Earth’s best interest anymore, Mr. Sterrow! We, you and I, need to
decide what our course of action will be in the following
weeks.”
    Somewhat annoyed, Admiral Sterrow doesn’t
hide his emotion while defending the orders given years ago:
“Earth’s best interest, sir? We’re doing this for Earth. This is
the culmination of a two-hundred-year mission. We’re here on a
two-year deployment, away from our families, risking our lives,
some of us never returning home, all of this because Earth lost its
capability to sustain itself, because we need access to new
resources, to a new planet. Please explain, sir, how is what we’re
doing here not in Earth’s interest?”
    Alexei: “In due time, Mr. Sterrow.”
    A military man his whole life, the Admiral
turns towards the President, not because he respects him, but
because his rank demands approval from his superior: “Mr.
President?”
    President Locke, bored by the entire reason
of this meeting, answers with a tired, faded voice: “No point in
arguing with him, Admiral. Trust me, I know. Just… play along.”
    Alexei: “Mr. Locke admires you, Mr. Sterrow;
he speaks highly of you. I want to assure you that your loyalty is
not in question. We all understand your dedication, and we thank
you for it. So how about this: I’ll start. I’ll tell you a little
history lesson and help you better understand what, and who you’re
fighting for.”
    Admiral Sterrow: ”Sir, what is this, exactly?
I know very well what, and who I’m fighting for!”
    Alexei: “I assure you, you don’t. You’ve been
a military man your entire life. Your parents, military as well?
You’ve lived a privileged life, Mr. Sterrow. I bet you’ve never
traveled outside the controlled borders. You’ve never seen Earth
for what it’s truly become, you’ve never seen your praised Alliance
for what it really is. Allow me to open your eyes, Admiral!”
    Alexei turns around and addresses the entire
room: “You know your military history, no doubt.